Years before George Clooney wed Amal Clooney and solidified his status as a Hollywood icon, an unusual dating story unfolded involving Sara Foster, an executive producer on the show Nobody Wants This. According to Foster, she was set up on a date with Clooney around 30 years ago—a meeting that left her indifferent rather than impressed, despite Clooney’s enduring charm and reputation as a two-time Sexiest Man Alive. This episode, revealing a lesser-known moment in Clooney’s past, offers a surprising glimpse into a youthful encounter with the star.
Why Sara Foster Was Not Interested in Dating Clooney
At the time of the setup, Sara Foster was about 24 years old, significantly younger than Clooney, who was roughly 20 years her senior. She recounted her experience during an episode of The World’s First Podcast with Erin & Sara Foster, candidly admitting her lack of enthusiasm and discomfort with the matchmaking attempt. She reflected on the awkwardness of being paired with someone she perceived as too old for her, saying:
“Do you guys know that I got set up with George Clooney like 30 years ago, and it was such a blah? Sorry, had to say it.” — Sara Foster, Executive Producer
Foster explained that the age difference felt jarring. She remarked on the common but sometimes puzzling phenomenon of younger women dating much older men, expressing her personal disapproval of it back then:
“I remember just thinking, ‘Oh, he is so old.’…I always say that when I see these young girls dating older guys. Like, yes, of course, sometimes it makes sense, and it’s all the things. [But] I’ve never understood a 19-year-old that’s into a 40-year-old. I just always thought that was so weird. And I just remember being offended that they would set me up with him because he felt so old at the time.” — Sara Foster, Executive Producer
The Dynamics of the Awkward Meeting
The setup involved not just Clooney and Foster but also two of her friends, leading to a group interaction that failed to ignite any romantic interest. Foster recalled the gloomy mood during the encounter, describing it as emotionally draining and awkward. She said the meeting left her feeling downhearted and disconnected, partly due to the company she kept on that date:
“I’m sure George Clooney is a nice guy, but I just remember it being the four of us sitting there and thinking like, ‘I’m gonna die, like I’m gonna die. I’m so sad over the other one. And then, here’s this one, who just feels like a grandpa.’ And it was like depressing. I was so depressed.” — Sara Foster, Executive Producer
Foster also emphasized that the discomfort had less to do with Clooney personally and more with the overall situation. She believed Clooney himself was not entirely enthusiastic about the setup, largely because she turned the conversation toward her own emotional struggles during their time together:
“I also think it wasn’t George being like, ‘Oh, set me up with Sara Foster.’ I think it was more like Rande and Cindy being like, ‘We know someone great.’ I don’t think he was that into it either. I started crying about my ex to him. So I think he was like, ‘This chick’s not OK.’” — Sara Foster, Executive Producer
The Broader Context and What Followed
This meeting happened well before Clooney found lasting happiness with Amal Clooney, with whom he has been married for over a decade. Now 64, George Clooney has developed a stable personal and professional life, with projects like Jay Kelly and plans for Ocean’s 14 underway. Sara Foster, who is currently 44, continues her work in entertainment along with her sister Erin Foster on Nobody Wants This, which recently announced its upcoming third season.
Though the date may have been uncomfortable and unwanted at the time, it now offers a memorable anecdote about celebrity life behind the scenes. It also highlights how even famous individuals have awkward moments that can surprise fans. For those interested, both Sara Foster’s show Nobody Wants This and Clooney’s Jay Kelly are available for streaming, showing how their careers have continued to thrive despite this early mismatch.
Reflection on Age Differences in Relationships
Sara Foster’s story illustrates her ongoing skepticism toward wide age gaps in dating, especially in cases where younger individuals pursue relationships with partners decades older. Her reflections suggest that while some age-disparate romances may succeed, hers with Clooney was not one of them. The episode invites a broader conversation about compatibility beyond fame and attractiveness, especially when emotional readiness and age perspective are crucial factors.
