LOS ANGELES • New father George Clooney thinks he is a "very good diaper guy", but do not expect him to clean up the messes of the United States or the world as a politician.

"I'd like to not think I would be in politics. I'd like to think that would make my life miserable," the actor and director, 56, told Hollywood Reporter.

"But I do think you always have to participate, in your town and your country and the world."

One way is through movies.

Suburbicon, which he directs, is screening at the Venice Film Festival. It probes the hypocritical and racist underbelly of white, suburban America.

Fatherhood has not been much of a trial for Clooney, who welcomed twins in June with his wife, human rights lawyer Amal. They are not looking to expand their brood.

When Amal was asked if she wanted to have more kids, her response was a negative shake of the head. "I'm 39. I already had them quite late," she noted.

The twins have been the subject of much speculation and the Clooneys, one of Hollywood's most famous couples, kept a low profile before their birth in London.

"The first thing you think is, 'I hope I don't screw this up'," Clooney said of parenthood.

"But you are really responsible for two kids. I want them to be happy.

"I want them to have a sense of humour. I want them to be interested in things. I want them to be compassionate about other people's plights.

"Because that's the thing, you know? You have to have some sort of empathy."

He added: "But I'm a very good diaper guy, which I didn't know I would be."

REUTERS