HomeBEST ACTOR: GEORGE CLOONEY
Michael Clayton
Age 46 Role See title, above. Cutting-Room Floor Clooney's divorced ''fixer'' character originally had a girlfriend. ''We shot it with Jennifer Ehle — she gave a wonderful performance,'' says Clooney. ''And the more we did it, we realized you have to isolate this character more. And having a girlfriend, he's not in as much trouble.'' Clooney wrote Ehle a note to apologize: ''I didn't cut it, but I still feel bad about it.'' Up Next He stars in his third directorial effort, the football comedy Leatherheads (out April 4). He's also wrapped the Coen brothers caper Burn After Reading, and has lent his voice to Wes Anderson's upcoming animated film The Fantastic Mr. Fox. —Dave Karger
Oscars 2008
80 years of Oscar! Coverage of this year's awards (Feb. 24)
Oscars: Class of 2008 Portraits
From Casey Affleck to Cate Blanchett (twice!), George Clooney to Ellen Page, we give the 20 nominees for this year's Academy Awards in the acting categories their closeups
Oscars: Class of 2008 Portraits
Nigel Parry/CPI
