Christian Bale to George Clooney: ‘Stop Whining’ About Privacy

2 minute read

Exodus star Christian Bale, who went on an infamous angry rant on a movie set in 2009, had some blunt words for celebrities who make a big deal about wanting to maintain their privacy: “Just shut up.”

The Oscar-winning Welsh star said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal magazine that hearing other actors (like George Clooney) complain about the paparazzi and gossip magazines is simply “boring.” That’s not to say Bale doesn’t care about his privacy — the former Dark Knight leading man is known for being extremely tight-lipped about his children’s names and his marriage. As Bale tells it, he just doesn’t talk about what he doesn’t want to talk about.

Read the exchange — Bale only does Q&As — below:

AG: Speaking of George Clooney, I was just seeing all those pictures of him and his new wife being photographed in that boat in Venice, and it occurred to me that I had no idea what your wife, Sibi, looks like.

CB: I feel I should have as much privacy as anyone else.

AG: But I’ve heard Clooney railing about tabloids and privacy too.

CB: I know, but it’s boring, isn’t it? You know what I mean? It doesn’t matter that he talks about it. It’s like, come on, guys, just shut up. Just get on with it and live your lives and stop whining about it. I prefer not to whine about it.

[WSJ]

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Write to Nolan Feeney at nolan.feeney@time.com