Gerard Butler Named International Star of the Year

Gerard Butler has had a very busy year, putting out movies from various genres, from romantic comedies (“The Ugly Truth”) to action movies (“Gamer“) and dramas (“Law Abiding Citizen”). A nice way to round up 2009 is with an award for International Star of the Year, which the actor received the other day from Variety magazine at the Dubai International Film Festival, as The National informs.

The actor worked the red carpet in his usual charming fashion: smiling broadly and telling the crowd of (mostly female) screaming fans that he too felt nothing but love for them, Butler also spoke about what the award meant for him. A very down-to-earth star known for his honesty, Butler constantly joked as reporters hurled questions at him, ranging from whether he had any difficulty in ridding himself of his thick Scottish accent to if he was – or had been – dating co-star Jennifer Aniston.

“Screaming fans welcomed the actor Gerard Butler yesterday at the Dubai International Film Festival, where he was presented the award for International Star of the Year by Variety magazine. Butler walked the red carpet last night, along with many other stars on hand to watch the screening of ‘Avatar,’ James Cameron’s science fiction epic. Before the red carpet event, Butler talked about his life and cinema at the Madinat Theatre to an audience made up mostly of women of all ages. “PS, I love you, too!” Butler yelled, responding to cries from the crowd,” The National writes.

“I graduated with a law degree and worked as a lawyer for years. But I got fired, which left me open to the universe and its wicked ways,” Butler also said about how he came to think of a career in showbiz. As for the rumor that he’s dating Aniston, which seems too stubborn to go away, Butler joked about actually coming to want to date her because of it. “I wish the media never asked me again if I am dating Jennifer Anniston. She may be my favorite person on the planet. She is so cool, but I am not dating her,” he said.

The actor also thanked the screaming fans who had gathered to see him walk the red carpet, saying that the screaming made him feel hotter than he was certain he was in real life. He also expressed gratitude for receiving the award, of which he doesn’t get that many, so this one would forever remain special, as he put it.