February 27, 2012 10:28

Oscars: George Clooney calls for more diverse Academy

The actor was responding to last week's revelations about its membership

George Clooney has called for the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences to diversify at last night's (February 26) Oscars.

An Academy member himself, the actor responded the revelations last week about how overwhelmingly white, male and middle-aged the members are.

Speaking on the red carpet, in an interview you can watch below, Clooney told the Los Angeles Times: "That would be a good idea, don’t you think? I think it represents directors in Hollywood, as well. It's not just Hollywood [that is not representative]. You can look at the senate and it's roughly the same thing. I don't think to diversify is ever a bad idea."

It's a tricky thing. I think you'd have to open it up to more, as opposed to trying to kick people out. Instead of taking their cards away.

Clooney was up for the Best Actor prize for his role in The Descendants, but correctly predicted that he would be beaten by Jean Dujardin for his role in The Artist, saying he expected it to be "a pretty big French night".

The silent movie was the big winner, taking home five awards including Best Picture.