George Clooney congratulates Kidman

Jan 9, 2008, 7:30 GMT

12/13/2007 - George Clooney - © Insidefoto / PR Photos

George Clooney says Nicole Kidman will be the "perfect" mother.

George, who has been friends with Nicole since they starred together in 1997's 'The Peacemaker', sent his congratulations to the pregnant actress and joked she will make a fantastic "tall" parent.

He said: "I'm thrilled for her. She will be a perfect mother. Nicole will be great. She'll be a tall mother!"

Nicole, 40, and her country singer husband Keith Urban - who married in June 2006 - confirmed they are expecting their first child together on Monday (07.01.08).

Nicole's representative Catherine Olim said: "The couple are thrilled."

Meanwhile, George was jokingly branded a "loser" by Casey Affleck after missing out on the Best Actor award to Daniel Day Lewis at the Critics' Choice Awards on Monday night.

George agreed: "Being a nominee, it's fine. But when you're a loser, you're a loser."

Don Cheadle, who was presented with the Joel Siegel Award by George, also teased the hunky actor by saying he wanted their 'Ocean's Thirteen' co-star Matt Damon to give him the accolade.

Don, who was given the prize for his humanitarian work, quipped: "The fact that George only charged me $1,500, I thought was really nice of him. Matt Damon was around $2,500, and what Denzel Washington wanted, I won't even mention!"

He added: "George is someone who I've not only worked with onscreen, but we've also done things for the cause - and it's great to have an ally."

(C) BANG Media International