GEORGE CLOONEY - CLOONEY AVOIDED DRUG FATE

GEORGE CLOONEY would be a drug addict by now if he had found fame when he was younger, he claims.

The actor/director was 33 when he landed a role in medical drama ER, which then propelled him to a Hollywood movie career and A-list status.

Clooney spent his twenties struggling as an out-of-work actor, but is still grateful he was mature enough to handle fame when it came knocking.

He says, "If I'd been as famous as some people are at 18 years old, I would have been shooting crack into my throat by now."