With films like Ocean’s Eleven and Gravity and his little stint as Batman, George Clooney became widely popular as one of the biggest, most exquisite stars of our time. On top of having an incredible career, George Clooney has had the pleasure of dating some of the most wonderful stars including, Celine Balitran and Krista Allen.
However, George Clooney finally decided to let go of his ‘Desirable Bachelor’ title and settle down with his true love, Amal Clooney. Amal Clooney and George Clooney soon became the power couple of Hollywood. Before he found his soulmate, though, people speculated that George Clooney wanted to remain a bachelor because of his disinterest in marriage. But what they do tend to forget is that he was once married to Talia Balsam, who he feels he didn’t give a fair enough shot.
George Clooney Regrets Not Giving Talia Balsam a Fair Chance
According to Vanity Fair, George Clooney and Talia Balsam met while doing a local play in 1984. And although they immediately hit it off, the pair broke up for a while before getting back together and then eventually tying the knot in Las Vegas.
After getting married in 1989, Clooney and Balsam went through a divorce just three years later. A little while later, Clooney had something to say about his failed marriage as he blamed himself for not being ready at the time. He also felt that he didn’t give his ex-wife a fair shot.
Taking all the responsibility upon himself, Clooney told Vanity Fair,
“I probably — definitely — wasn’t someone who should have been married at that point. I just don’t feel like I gave Talia a fair shot,” he went on, adding, “I was responsible for the failure of that marriage.”
Apparently, the guilt within Clooney was so high that he didn’t even negotiate with Balsam when it came to legal counsel. He recalled, “I would say to Talia, ‘You tell me how much — what you think is fair. I’ll write the check. I won’t negotiate.’”
Clooney once again asserted his statement in an interview with The L.A. Times. He told the media outlet,
“She didn’t do anything to me. We had a relationship that didn’t work out, most of it is my own fault. That’s not me trying to nail me first. I can look at it like it was a TV show. I was the one in the relationship who wasn’t willing to fix things.”
It’s always a treat to the eyes when past partners have nothing but respect for those they once loved. In a world where it’s sometimes considered cool to put down your exes, Clooney proves that chivalry is not dead yet.
Talia Balsam Has No Bad Blood With George Clooney
Not only is Clooney respectful toward Balsam, but so is the South Mountain actress. Balsam was part of a TV series called Divorce where the two lead actors were going through a, you guessed it, divorce.
During the show’s premiere, Balsam was of the belief that Thomas Haden Church’s character, Robert DuFresne, was a bit too tough on his wife. Balsam was then asked if the divorce in the show was similar to her real-life divorce, she stated,
“If you’re trying to compare [George] to Thomas Haden Church’s character, not at all. Absolutely, George is charming. He remains charming. I have worked with him.”
Both the stars have moved on from their past and are now in healthy, happy relationships. While Clooney is married to Amal Clooney, Balsam has also tied the knot with actor John Slattery.
Source: Vanity Fair
