George Clooney Talks About Paparazzi Standoff

(INFphoto.com)

After video was leaked yesterday of George Clooney verbally scuffling with photographers who had followed the Oscar winner and his girlfriend during a weekend motorcycle ride, the superstar hunk is now talking about why he responded so viscerally.

"It's not about shooting pictures, it's about the risks they're taking and driving with reckless abandon," George explained to Entertainment Tonight. "I live on a street where everyone hikes. There are mothers with strollers and elderly people. What they're doing is illegal, it's high-speed chases and they're competing with each other. They're not trying to catch me doing something stupid, they're trying to create me doing something stupid."

He added, "You don't get to break all these laws and then say 'I'm just doing my job.' The guys that commit all these crimes are rewarded for it. It creates bounty hunters in a way. They cry poor… then look at the cars they're driving… Mercedes and Land Rovers."

After getting into a motorcycle accident two months ago while driving around New Jersey, it's no surprise that George is responding so strongly to dangerous motorcycle driving. And, he comes to the defense of other stars who have had famous paparazzi encounters. "You look at the footage of Britney running the red light… there's eight guys with cameras at night in the middle of the street. There are no rules now. It sounds like a bunch of well-off people whining about how difficult their life is but I really don't believe that is the case. It's getting to a point where people that are not involved are getting hurt."

"I'm the son of an anchorman," George says, referring to his father, Nick Clooney, a noted TV newsman. "I don't want to restrict anyone's rights. Take your pictures but don't go 60 mph down a one-way street. Don't cause injury to people who aren't involved."

For more with the actor, check out Entertainment Tonight on Tuesday!