Wisconsin artist paints George Clooney

From Miami Herald

Posted on Friday, 10.07.11

Wisconsin artist paints George Clooney

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This undated photo provided by artist Ben McCready shows a portrait of actor George Clooney painted by McCready of Whitewater, Wis. McCready and his family presented it to Clooney in March while he filmed "The Ides of March" in Michigan.
Courtesy of Ben McCready / AP Photo


WHITEWATER, Wis. -- A Wisconsin artist says he has to pinch himself after being commissioned to paint a portrait of actor George Clooney.

Some scenes from Clooney's new movie "The Ides of March" were filmed at the University of Michigan, where paintings by Ben McCready hang. He says the actor wanted some of them to hang in the background.

So while getting permission from McCready to use the images in the movie, university staff and Clooney's staff also arranged for McCready to paint Clooney as a surprise. McCready and his family presented it to him in March on the set.

McCready tells WMTV-TV (http://bit.ly/qZhF12) that Clooney was friendly and genuine. He says Clooney loved the portrait and told McCready he made him look young.