Even George Clooney gets starstruck! The actor had the chance to meet his childhood hero at a party in London on Wednesday night. George, 55, was introduced to astronaut Buzz Aldrin, 87, and admitted he was such a fan that, as a child, he made his own version of Buzz's watch out of paper. George told guests: "Yes, I did make an Omega Speedmaster watch (out of paper) as a kid – it was right twice a day. Everybody had them when I was growing up because they were a big part of the moon landings, which were of course huge in our lives. We got to go home from school early and then later my father gave me one of my own as a graduation present – so it was a huge part of my life."
"I cannot thank you enough for your courage, your leadership and everything you have done," George added, turning to Buzz. "I was eight years old and watching it (the 1969 moon landing) live on TV as Buzz and Neil Armstrong were the first two men to stand on the moon. It is an exceptional honour to meet you." George admitted that he would never have had the courage to follow in his hero's footsteps. "I'm a coward," he confessed. "It was nice to see the reception the astronauts received, but if you ever saw the model they did it in, it looked like a 1950s Chevy – it was hard to imagine how that could take you into space and back."
© Photo: Getty ImagesBuzz Aldrin and George Clooney attended the Omega party
The actor, who attended the party without his pregnant wife Amal, added that it was a "great honour" to be able to play an astronaut in 2013 drama Gravity. Meanwhile, when asked how he felt about meeting the Hollywood legend, Buzz joked: "It's like walking with the stars again." The pair were guests of honour at the Omega Lost in Space anniversary party which celebrated 60 years of the Speedmaster, the timepiece worn by a number of astronauts venturing into space. George and Buzz were joined at the Tate Modern by fellow stars including singers Pixie Lott and Ellie Goulding and actresses Gemma Arterton, Liv Tyler and Laura Carmichael.
It's not long now until George becomes a first-time father. The Money Monster star is expecting twins with his wife Amal, who is reportedly due in June. Speaking to Extra last month, George said of his 39-year-old wife: "She is doing really great, she is amazing. I don't have anything to do. There is nothing I can do to help, but make tea and stuff."
