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 George Clooney praised Cate Blanchett on Friday 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. 

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

‘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.’

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

Co-stars: The twp actors have starred together in several films, including The Good German (pictured) and The Monuments Men

The Descendants star also recognised 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.’ 

Artist: The annual event was hosted by David Campbell this year and featured performances by Delta Goodrem (pictured) and Guy Sebastian

Famous faces: Several Australian A-listers made appearances, including Hugh Jackman (right) and Deborra-lee Furness (left)

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.

Star power: Nicole Kidman (right) and Naomi Watts (left) also made appearances