In 2005, Russell Crowe attacked George Clooney in an interview.
When asked what he thinks about stars appearing in commercials, he says:
“I’m not a sellout, like George Clooney, Harrison Ford or Robert DeNiro, I’m not interested in doing ads.”
The accusation left Clooney stunned. He didn’t understand where this attack came from.
To try to defuse the situation, he issued a short humorous statement:
“Russel Crowe is probably right. And I thank him. In the meantime, Robert, Harrison and I are considering starting a rock band, unless it’s really too lame to do that when you’re an actor…”
(The reference to the rock band was a thinly veiled reference to the fact that Russell Crowe plays in a band called 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts).
At the same time, George Clooney wrote to Russell Crowe privately, telling him (in substance):
“Why are you doing that? Dude, the only people who benefit from seeing two celebrities fighting are the celebrity press. Seriously, what’s your problem?”
Russell Crowe responded to Clooney that his comments had been misrepresented and sent him one of his records and his book of poems to apologize.
The matter remained there and the two actors thus avoided a media dispute which could have lasted for years.
Clooney handled the situation like a gentleman.