We all have a very special bond with our lifelong friends, so much so that they almost belong to a new category that goes beyond friendship. They have accompanied us in so many moments that sometimes it seems like they know us better than we know ourselves. And in some cases, like with George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, we are also lucky enough to work together.

At Bright Side, we want to tell you the story of the friendship between these 2 stars who have been sharing time together both in front of cameras and behind the scenes for more than 20 years.

The early years

Sandra Bullock was born on July 26, 1964. After some minor roles, her recognition as an actress came in 1994 with Speed, a film she worked on with Keanu Reeves. Critics loved the movie, and Bullock received lots of praise for her performance. By 1999, she was already working alongside big names like Nicole Kidman and Ben Affleck.

George Clooney was born 3 years earlier on May 6, 1961. His success came when he played Dr. Ross in the medical series, ER, from 1994 to 1999, along with special appearances until 2009. Then came his first big Hollywood role in 1996’s From Dusk Till Dawn. Other films followed, in which he worked alongside actresses such as Michelle Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman.

How they met

Surprisingly, the actors met long before they got their first jobs in show business, when they just graduated.

Bullock said that the day they met they were at a party, and Clooney was imitating Buddy Hackett. They got to chat for a while and after hanging out, Clooney helped her get the attention of a guy she liked. He went up to him and said, “If you’re not going out with her, I will.” And that’s how Bullock began a relationship that lasted 4 years.

Some projects they’ve worked together on

The first time they worked together was in 2013 in the film, Gravity, directed by Alfonso Cuarón. In the movie, they played 2 astronauts stranded in space. The film was praised by critics and nominated for Oscars, Golden Globes, and more. It ended up winning 7 Oscars, including Best Director.

Then came the Our Brand Is Crisis project in 2015, which Clooney produced. The role was intended for Clooney himself, but when he learned that Bullock was interested, he decided to adapt it for his friend with enthusiasm.

When recalling the experience, Bullock said that Clooney works very hard and is always willing to help others. She added that the actor is a real joy, always has a good time, and his happiness is infectious. She also said that she knows the names of all the technicians involved in the film, that it is exactly what you expect it to be, and that it does not disappoint.

Partners in crime

The trust between the 2 actors is so great that they can even joke and tease each other in public. In an interview in London, Bullock said that Clooney liked to be referred to as the “two times sexiest man.” “As his friends, we know we have to call him that. It’s like saying ’sir’ or ’ma’am’, we know we have to call him ’two times sexiest man, George Clooney.’”

A few seconds later, the journalist asked Bullock about the time when, playing a joke on her, he tricked her into jumping into a pool. The actress, winking at the camera, promised that she was trying to forgive him and that she wasn’t going to take revenge.

The answer to the age-old question of why they never went on a date

Many times, they’ve been asked if they were dating, but the reality is that it just never happened. Clooney said in 2013 that he would never date a friend with whom he has been close for more than 20 years. Besides, she dated a buddy of his before, so that would be breaking the “friend code.”

The love they have for each other is public.

When they are interviewed, both performers have nothing but compliments to say about each other. “Every time we’re together, it’s fun. She’s someone I adore, I really do, it’s a lot of fun to be in a room with her. I’m sure people assume that people on screen are not the same as they are in reality, but Sandy is exactly how she is on screen: an incredibly lovely woman who is a lot of fun to spend time with. She’s very intelligent and focused.”

When Bullock learned she would star in Gravity with Clooney, she said, “I knew I would have a colleague and someone I would feel comfortable with, who understands my quirks and I understand his. Someone I’ve known for a long time.”

“We’ve seen each other in many facets and stages of our lives, and this is just another one of them. The beautiful thing is that we still like each other in the end, we still admire each other,” Bullock said in an interview, with Clooney adding, “And we have fun.”

Upcoming projects

There are no new shared projects on the horizon, but they do have some common ground. In 2022, Clooney will premiere in director Jon Watts’ new film alongside Brad Pitt. Meanwhile, Bullock will also appear in a film with the same actor, called Bullet Train.

How many years have you known your best friend? What’s the longest friendship you’ve shared with someone?