George Clooney feels "unclean" after awards season

George Clooney has said that he dislikes certain aspects of awards season in the film industry, and has admitted that it makes him feel "unclean".

The Ocean's Eleven star revealed that he began to undertake more charity work after feeling disillusioned about his career.

"I had just come out of Oscar season and you really do champagne, like kissing babies," Clooney told Marie Claire recently.

"By the time it's over, you sort of feel unclean," he explained. "You want to do something that makes you feel better."

The actor also said that he thinks that the celebrities of today have a responsibility to get involved with charity and humanitarian causes due to their unusually privileged position.

"There is ever more attention on celebrity than ever, and there is a use for that besides selling products," Clooney added. "We can't make policy but we can 'encourage' politicians more than ever before."

Last month, it was confirmed that Clooney and partner Elisabetta Canalis had separated after two years together.

Clooney's new drama The Ides of March, which he also directed, will open the Venice Film Festival this August, before being released in US cinemas on October 14 and in the UK on October 28.