A Million Dollar Kiss

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

24 May 2007 07:50 AM

Okay, maybe it didn't cost that much, but I'm sure it felt like it was worth as much.

After all, it was a kiss by George Clooney.

The hunky "Ocean's Thirteen" co-star was put on the auction last night (or at least his lips were) at a charity event benefiting AIDS research.

According to news reports, the actor along with his friends and castmates Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia and Ellen Barkin made a brief appearance at the annual Cinema Against AIDS dinner to auction off a seven-day Mediterranean getaway on a private boat. That's when auction host Sharon Stone announced: "If you bid, one of these guys will come down and touch you. And you can choose which one."

In the end, the winning bid came in at $350,000, Clooney then promptly kissed the lucky girlfriend of the winning bidder.

The move prompted Barkin to joke: "I'll kiss [Clooney] for $500,000." Without missing a beat the handsome actor then rushed over to Barkin and reportedly smooched her too.

Then things really heated up---after Clooney doled out his affections "Lost's" Michelle Rodriguez teasingly offered to kiss Stone if bidders would dig deep for a private tennis lesson from pro Monica Seles. Unfortunately, for the winning bidder Rodriguez failed to deliver on her promise and didn't pucker up. (I guess a joke is only a joke until you get called to put your lips into action.)

Besides the Mediterranean getaway and the tennis lesson there were dozens of other unique items up for bid... and not all of them were won by mere mortals. The benefit also featured an impromptu performance from singer Kylie Minogue after high profile guests - including Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Eva Mendes, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell - collectively emptied their wallets to pony up $300,000 for two songs from the Australian dance-pop singer-songwriter. Minogue was summoned onstage by Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein and performed "The Locomotion" and "Can't Get You Out of My Head."

For $300,000-I'd rather be kissed by Clooney.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Libby Pelham (12871) 24 May 2007 06:01 PM

Now see, I wouldn't have gone a penny over $250,000 for a kiss from George Clooney :-)