News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney is set to follow in the footsteps of fellow actor Arnold Schwarzenegger by running for Governor of California.

Friends of the Gravity star say the 53-year-old is being courted by Barack Obama’s Democrat party who want him to run for office in the 2018 race.

As the Mirror exclusively revealed last month George is planning to launch his new career after he ties the knot with British lawyer Amal Alamuddin, 36, in September, following an eight-month romance.

Friends say the stunning human rights barrister, who represented WikiLeaks' Julian Assange, initially wants to continue her career in London but is happy to move to America to support her soon-to-be husband’s blossoming political career.

The couple have been hurriedly looking at potential wedding venues and have identified Venice as their number one choice so far for an Autumn ceremony.

George already counts Obama as a good friend and four months ago was the President’s guest for a screening of his latest movie, The Monuments Men, at the White House.

The actor flew Amal to Washington for the special reception where witnesses said they were “stuck like glue together” throughout the night.

"They were holding hands," said Harry Ettlinger, 88, one of the World War II soldiers whose efforts to recover stolen art from the Nazis inspired the film.

If George was successful in gaining victory in California it would put him on course to follow Ronald Reagan’s lead, who after becoming governor of the Golden State, was voted in to the White House.

If the Oscar winner eventually won the 2020 race for the Presidency it would see Amal installed as the only British First Lady in history.

A friend said: “George is hugely popular with the Democrats and where better a place to put him than as the Governor of California the home of Hollywood.

“It has always been a huge stronghold for the party and one that has a proven record for getting politicians in to the Oval office

“Now that Amal is by his side it has boosted his credentials even higher.

“She is as far removed as some of the girls he has previously dated and possesses incredible intelligence that bodes well if she ever does become First Lady.

“It would certainly add a new meaning to the “special relationship” between Britain and America.”

Previously George has been a huge supporter of campaigns by the Democratic Party and rallied for Obama at the 2012 election to ensure the President was successful in securing a second term in office.

He is an ardent campaigner for human rights and has personally funded his own drone spying missions to report war atrocities and human rights violations in Syria to the US government.

He was once arrested outside the Sudanese Embassy after a planned protest over Darfur.

That year George ruled out running for president and said: "There's a guy in office who is smarter than anybody. I have no interest."

His spokesperson has refused to comment on his ambitions to enter politics however friends close to the star say he has turned down several long-term projects in Hollywood to ensure he remains free to pursue his goal.