George who? The 'French Clooney' Jean Dujardin takes home a Golden Globe as he continues to wow critics with The Artist

He's the star of the critically-acclaimed movie The Artist, and is already tipped to win an Oscar for the role at the Academy Awards later this year.

But before the silent film hit the big screen, Jean Dujardin was virtually unknown anywhere other than his native France, where he made a name for himself first as a stand-up comedian and then as a comic, spoof actor.

However, now, thanks to playing the charming but troubled George Valentin in The Artist, Dujardin, 39, has quickly earned a name for himself as France's answer to George Clooney - a likeness the actor is still struggling to come to terms with.

 

George who? French actor Jean Dujardin is already being likened to a French Clooney, and last night took home a Golden Globe for his role in silent movie The Artist

 Asked how he felt about being compared to Oscar-winning Clooney, Dujardin said: 'It's a joke. I'm a French actor who's just arrived here! It's very nice, but it's very hard for me to hear such things.'

In fact, Clooney is already offering Dujardin advice, as the French actor explained: 'His advice was to learn English. He said it will help you through this.'

So far during the awards season, Dujardin has mainly relied on a translator to help him with the language barrier.

  

The first of many awards: Dujardin stars alongside Berenice Bejo in the critically-acclaimed movie

 As well as sweeping the board at the recent Critics Choice Awards, Dujardin last night took home the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy or Musical, beating Owen Wilson for Midnight In Paris and Ryan Gosling for Crazy, Stupid, Love, among others.

Talking previously about being up for a Globe, Dujardin said: 'I was proud and thrilled. It’s such an honor to be nominated alongside such great actors. I feel like a spoiled child.'

Taking it all in: Dujardin admitted he can't get his head around the comparison between him and Clooney

 

Animated: The actor has also been compared to Jim Carrey thanks to his incredibly expressive face

  

Winners: Producer Thomas Langmann, actors Missi Pyle, Jean Dujardin, director Michel Hazanavicius, actors Berenice Bejo, Penelope Ann Miller, composer Ludovic Bource, actors Ken Davitian, and James Cromwell

Advice: Clooney advised Dujardin to learn English to help himself in the industry

 The Artist tells the story of Valentin, a silent movie actor who falls out of the spotlight when he refuses to get on board with the dawn of the 'talkies'.

Instead, Valentin ploughs all his money into making his own silent movie when he is dropped by the film studio.

The movie also stars Berenice Bejo, who was nominated for a Globe at last night's ceremony, and everyone's favourite canine - Uggie the dog. 

The Artist also took home Globes for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and Best Original Score.

It is now expected that Dujardin will face off against Clooney for his movie The Descendants, at the upcoming Academy Awards, for the best actor prize.

Other faces in the frame for the prize are expected to include Brad Pitt for Moneyball and Michael Fassbender for Shame.

The nominations for the Oscars, which take place on 26th February, will be announced on January 24th.

WINNERS OF THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS 2012

MOTION PICTURES
- Picture, Drama: The Descendants
- Picture, Musical or Comedy: The Artist.
- Actor, Drama: George Clooney, The Descendants
- Actress, Drama: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
- Director: Martin Scorsese, Hugo
- Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
- Actress, Musical or Comedy: Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
- Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
- Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, The Help
- Foreign Language: A Separation
- Animated Film: The Adventures of Tintin
- Screenplay: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
- Original Score: Ludovic Bource, The Artist
- Original Song: Masterpiece (music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry), W.E.
TELEVISION
- Series, Drama: Homeland, Showtime
- Series, Musical or Comedy: Modern Family, ABC
- Actor, Drama: Kelsey Grammer, Boss
- Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, Homeland
- Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Dern, Enlightened
- Actor, Musical or Comedy: Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
- Miniseries or Movie: Downton Abbey (Masterpiece), PBS
- Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kate Winslet, "Mildred Pierce
- Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Idris Elba, Luther
- Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
- Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award: Morgan Freeman.

Source:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2087276/Golden-Globes-2012-The-Artists-Jean-Dujardin-French-George-Clooney-wows-critics.html?ito=feeds-newsxml