Sara Foster Recalls a Very Awkward Date With George Clooney: “It Was a Hard No”

Hollywood setups don’t always lead to fairy tales — and Sara Foster just shared a story that proves it.

On a recent episode of The World's First Podcast, the actress and producer looked back on a blind date she went on nearly 30 years ago with one of Hollywood’s most famous leading men: George Clooney. Spoiler alert: she wasn’t impressed.

The date was arranged by supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber, who thought Clooney would be a great match for the then–24-year-old Foster. The four met up together — but according to Sara, the vibe was off almost immediately.

“It was such a blah,” she admitted, shocking her sister and cohost Erin Foster, who had never heard the story before.

Sara explained that the age gap instantly killed any spark. Clooney, who was in his 40s at the time, felt “so old” to her. “It was a hard no,” she said bluntly, adding that she’s never understood why very young women are drawn to much older men.

Things didn’t improve from there. Foster revealed she was still heartbroken over an ex-boyfriend and ended up crying during the date. “I’m sure he was like, ‘This chick’s not okay,’” she joked. She also made it clear that Clooney himself didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic — suggesting the setup was more Crawford and Gerber’s idea than his.

Gerber, who is Clooney’s longtime friend and business partner (the two later co-founded Casamigos Tequila), likely had good intentions. Still, Sara admitted she was almost “offended” by the match, saying Clooney felt more like a grandpa than a potential boyfriend at the time.

Despite the failed setup, both moved on to very different chapters. Foster later married former tennis star Tommy Haas in 2006. The couple shared two daughters before divorcing in 2024.

Clooney, meanwhile, married human rights lawyer Amal Clooney in 2014. They welcomed twins, Alexander and Ella, in 2017 and are now one of Hollywood’s most admired couples.

Interestingly, Clooney has recently been open about how aging has reshaped his career outlook. While promoting his upcoming Netflix film Jay Kelly, he said he no longer feels the need to compete with younger leading men.

“I don’t need to be kissing a girl anymore,” he told Daily Mail, explaining that family now comes first. In an interview with Netflix, he added that no one ever regrets not working more — but many wish they’d spent more time with loved ones.

As for Sara Foster, she summed it up best: no hard feelings, just a very mismatched moment in Hollywood history — and a reminder that even dates with America’s biggest heartthrob can be painfully awkward.