…It was my first time to create a character from beginning to end. I’ve always just shown up and, whatever my lines are, I just do it, like almost robotic in a way. But this is the first time I felt a huge responsibility — to the African-American community, to the peple who read the book. A lot was on our shoulders.

But Clooney who I’ve never seen say anything supportive of women, gets major props for this support of women in the business.

…this is an industry that in the 30s, the major stars were women. And there’s this strange thing that’s happened over the last 25 or 30 years where there’s this decision being made that women aren’t able to carry the box office. Now, Bridesmaids has proved that to be bullshit, and The Help has proven it to be bullshit. But it’s much harder to get a film with a woman lead made. When a man hits 40 is when roles just begin to happen. And for women it doesn’t happen. I find that to be a very concerning issue.

Thank you George. You are an honorary feminist today.

This Week’s Cover: Viola Davis and George Clooney talk Oscars, acting, and their longtime friendship (EW)