George Clooney breakup rumors take back seat to BAFTA L.A. award

It’s already been an eventful week for George Clooney.

The Internet was buzzing over reports Monday that he and girlfriend Stacy Keibler had split. But on Tuesday, his personal life was put on the back burner with the announcement that People magazine’s former Sexiest Man Alive is the 2013 winner of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles’ Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award, honoring excellence in film.

Clooney will receive the honor at the BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards on Nov. 9 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The ceremony will air the following day on BBC America.

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The Britannia Award is just the latest recognition for the 52-year-old actor-director-writer-producer. Clooney has been nominated eight times for the Oscar, winning for supporting actor for 2005’s “Syriana” and for producing 2012’s “Argo,” which won the Academy Award for best film. He’s received countless other honors, including the BAFTA and Golden Globe.

“George Clooney is without question one of our industry’s true icons,” BAFTA L.A. Chairman Gary Dartnall said in a statement. “His work has captivated audiences from all corners of the globe and BAFTA Los Angeles is proud to be celebrating his immeasurable contributions to our craft.”

Prior recipients of the Britannia Award include Warren Beatty, Jeff Bridges, Tom Cruise, Daniel Day-Lewis, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

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