George Clooney shocks fans with no on-screen liplocks stance

When you think of George Clooney, what comes to mind? Hollywood’s quintessential charmer, suave romantic leads, and yes, those iconic on-screen kisses.

But in a surprising move, the two-time Oscar winner has revealed he’s officially retiring from locking lips with female co-stars. The decision stems from a heartfelt conversation with his wife, Amal Clooney, and a broader reflection on his age and career.

In an interview with"Daily Mail" on December 12, Clooney, now 64, shared his new perspective: “I’ve been trying to go the route Paul Newman did. ‘OK, well, I’m not kissing a girl anymore'.”

The revelation marks a significant shift in the career of one of Hollywood’s most beloved heartthrobs, sparking curiosity and admiration from fans and peers alike.

But why does this decision feel so personal, so relatable, even for those of us who aren’t A-list actors?

From heartthrob to Hollywood elder statesman

For decades, Clooney has been synonymous with romance on screen. From Michelle Pfeiffer in "One Fine Day" to Julia Roberts in "Ticket to Paradise" and Jennifer Lopez in "Out of Sight", he’s portrayed the charming, swoon-worthy leading man time and again.

Twice crowned People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” Clooney has long embodied Hollywood’s ideal of the romantic hero.

But as Clooney told "60 Minutes" earlier this year, times and priorities have changed. “Look, I’m 63 years old. I’m not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men,” he said. “That’s not my job. I’m not doing romantic films anymore.”

His honesty about ageing gracefully in an industry obsessed with youth is refreshing.

Let’s face it: movie kisses might look dreamy on the big screen, but they’re far from romantic in reality. Clooney himself joked in a previous New York Times interview about an early career mishap, saying, “I remember early on in my career, I had to do a kissing scene with this girl, and the director goes, ‘Not like that.’ And I was like, ‘Dude, that’s my move! That’s what I do in real life!’”

The truth is, these scenes often involve awkward choreography, intense scrutiny and a room full of crew members.

Other stars who have no kissing scenes

Clooney’s choice to forgo on-screen kisses isn’t unprecedented. In fact, several leading men have made similar decisions, citing personal, religious, or professional reasons.

Neal McDonough

The "Desperate Housewives" star has a strict no-kissing policy rooted in his Catholic faith. His devotion to his wife, Ruvé Robertson, led him to refuse intimate scenes entirely, famously saying, “These lips are meant for one woman.” This stance even cost him a $1 million role on 'Scoundrels' and temporarily left him blacklisted in Hollywood.

Kirk Cameron

A devout Christian, Kirk Cameron employs a unique workaround for intimate scenes. In his movie "Fireproof", his wife, Chelsea Noble, served as his body double for kissing scenes to honour his commitment to her.

Denzel Washington

During the filming of "The Pelican Brief", Washington declined to kiss Julia Roberts. His reasoning? He didn’t want to alienate his core African-American female audience while addressing Hollywood’s often one-dimensional portrayal of interracial relationships.

Penn Badgley

The "You" actor requested fewer intimate scenes in later seasons of the hit show, citing respect for his marriage to singer Domino Kirke and his personal values.

Salman Khan

Bollywood icon Salman Khan has maintained a no-kissing policy throughout his career, emphasising that such scenes aren’t necessary to tell compelling stories.