George Clooney on his longest practical joke

By: Jessica Derschowitz
Topics: Celebrity

George Clooney gives "Person to Person" a tour of his L.A. home

George Clooney on "Person to Person."

(Credit: CBS News)

(CBS) George Clooney is known for being a practical joker, but what's the longest prank he's ever pulled?

The Oscar-winner recalled one joke that he played on his friend and fellow actor Richard Kind that went on for "five or six years."

Pictures: At home with George Clooney
Pictures: George Clooney
Special section: "Person to Person"

While giving a tour of his home on CBS' "Person to Person" program, Clooney explained that he once found a "horrible" painting that had been thrown away, had it framed and signed his name on it.

For five or six months, he continued, he told Kind that he was taking art classes, and would stop into art supply stores and "just make up crap" about the brushes.

"And then for his 40th birthday I said, 'You know, I've done a lot of paintings but this is the first one I'm really proud of, and I want to you have it.' And I gave it to him!" Clooney laughed.

At Clooney's suggestion, Kind hung the painting in his living room.

"Everyone else knew but him," the actor continued, "So everyone would come over and compliment him about the painting."

He finally let his friend in on the joke about five years later, by telling the story on a talk show.

"He called me up and said 'I hate that painting! I've always hated that painting!'" Clooney said. "So that made me laugh."

Watch Clooney tell the story below:

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by AnnieDanny February 12, 2012 6:50 PM EST: I don't think I would trust a friend who could lie like that. I don't appreciate practical jokes, because the premise of the joke is to make a fool of someone else. A lot of people think that is funny, but I don't get it.

People who are too trusting are likely to end up the butt end of jokes and con artists but it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them: the fault lies with the person who is willing to take advantage of Trust.; Reply to this comment