George Clooney: ‘Cate Blanchett is the best actress of her generation’

They have starred together in several films, including The Good German and The Monuments Men.

And on Friday, George Clooney praised Cate Blanchett as ‘easily the best actress of her generation’ at the virtual G’Day USA American Australian Association Arts Gala.

Blanchett, 51, received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony, and 59-year-old Clooney was asked to say a few words about her. 

‘I have to tell you what an honour it is to talk about someone of her calibre,’ he said. 

‘I’ve worked with her as a director, I’ve worked with her as an actor, and when I say calibre I’m not just talking about her obvious talent as an actress.’

Clooney continued: ‘She’s easily the best actress of her generation. She is a consummate professional. She solves all the problems on set all the time. 

The Descendants star also paid tribute to Blanchett’s humanitarian work with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, over the years. 

‘More than that, is how she solves problems in the rest of the world,’ he added. 

‘It’s what she does in trying to bring justice and hope to all the people who don’t have justice and don’t have hope.’ 

While accepting her award, Blanchett acknowledged the amount of talent that can be found Down Under. 

‘Australia is such an extraordinary country with a plethora of talent both in front and behind the camera,’ she said. 

Author Liane Moriarty also received the Excellence in Literature award, and actor Aaron Pedersen received the Excellence in Television award.

The annual event was hosted by David Campbell this year, and featured virtual performances by Delta Goodrem and Guy Sebastian. 

Several Australian A-listers made appearances, including Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Hugh Jackman, Deborra-lee Furness, Naomi Watts and Elle Macpherson.