Elisabetta Canalis: Not Just George Clooney's Gal

By Michelle Ruiz Posted Jun 20th 2010 12:00AM

When she isn't referred to as George Clooney's beautiful Italian girlfriend, (and she usually is,) Elisabetta Canalis goes by the ever-popular label of "model/actress." Though famous for her acting roles in her native Italy, where she's affectionately called "Eli," Canalis' American credits have mostly fallen into the "model" category, i.e. Maxim model, GQ model and Roberto Cavalli lingerie model.

While she's wow-ed in those scantily-clad photo shoots, Canalis, 31, is preparing to show off her acting chops with a five-episode guest starring role on the third season of the TNT drama, "Leverage," premiering June 20. She'll play a femme fatale known simply as "The Italian," a tough chick who hassles Timothy Hutton's main character, Nathan Ford, a former insurance investor-turned-present-day Robin Hood on a mission to bring down the powerful and corrupt. So what do we know about the gorgeous brunette aside from her ties to Clooney? After the jump, meet Miss Canalis.

According to TNT, Canalis' perfectly-named Italian character is a "shadowy intelligence agent" who, in the season premiere, blackmails Nathan into helping him bring down a financier.

Canalis' deliciously villainous role will also find her involved in a heist seeking revenge against a crooked African politician. Though she's expected to stick around for just five episodes, it seems Canalis will make her mark on the crime drama.

"Between 'The Italian' trying to control Nate and Nate trying to hold both his crew and his personal life together, it's looking to be a challenging and twisted summer," TNT said of the new season.

All eyes will be on Canalis to see if Clooney's off-screen love has real on-screen potential. Though her American roles have been limited (she played the tiny part of 'Lady in Castle' in 'Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,') her experience as a television personality is working in her favor. Canalis was the host of the Italian incarnation of MTV's 'Total Request Live' and a fly-girl equivalent on one of Italy's most popular variety shows, 'Striscia la notizia'.

Though we haven't seen much of Clooney ex Sarah Larson, a former 'Fear Factor' contestant, since their split last year, Canalis' 'Leverage' arc could catapult her from Clooney arm candy to fellow actor, or dare we imagine, future Clooney co-star?

She's already on her way to achieving an impressive off-screen milestone - Clooney's girlfriend of one year, recently weathering tabloid rumors of a split shot down by Clooney himself. Given her fearless motorcycling around Lake Como on the back of his bike, Canalis has proven at least one thing even before her 'Leverage' debut: She can do action.

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Elisabetta Canalis Snapshots

They sure do make a gorgeous couple, don't they? Elisabetta Canalis and George Clooney are seen here on the red carpet of the Academy Awards in March. Click for More Elisabetta Pics >>>

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Elisabetta Canalis Snapshots

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Actor George Clooney and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis go for a ride on his motorcycle. They meet up with Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber off the highway. EXCLUSIVE June 5, 2010 Job: 100606M12 Calabasas, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Elisabetta Canalis Snapshots

Tags: Elisabetta Canalis, george clooney, leverage

Comments

(20)

Sunday 20 June

By Eric Johnson

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BOTH OF THEM LOOK FAKE AND GAY.

By ALK

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AMERICANS JUDGE EVERYBODY LIKE THEMSELVES BUT ERIC NO EVERYBODY IS GAY IN OTHER COUNTRIES..IN FACT IS EVEN RARE

By Dette

That was very funny.

By GOOD LOOKING

She isn't very pretty for being a model. But then he isn't that great looking anymore. Men look so much better when they aren't changing women more than they change their underwear. He really needs to settle down, he looks like he is getting tired trying to keep up with the younger men.

By ANONYMOUS

SAVE ANISTON BOYCOTT LEVERAGE JUNE 20 TNT

By amber

usually she is sort of pretty, but not in the top picture. she looks like she has a horse face- ugh!

By BTDT

He has a very attractive beard.

By Meelah

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Anything to be famous. He use to be handsome now he just looks old. She's 31 so she better hurry up her time is running low.

By steve

I wouldnt throw her out of bed for eating crackers.

By RYAN

She is a pretty woman no matter what some of you say,bet half the haters here have more rolls than sarah lee,bet you have more chins than a chinese phone book.LOL.....George lives in Italy,so its sort of natural that he has an Italian girlfriend.....someone said he looks old,well he isnt getting younger ...gheez,Im glad Im not stupid,does it suck to be stupid?FAKE,someone said they look fake,whats that even mean?

By rachel

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seems like they both have seen better days

By bundhen is prettier

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she did a sexy calendar for Max (Italy)magazine a few years ago..there's one for sale on ebay now

By Valeria

She is beautiful. George is still good looking but past his prime. He has made it very clear to anyone he has ever been with that he is not going to get married again. So - unless she's happy just being his girlfriend, I have no idea why she is staying with him. What is the usual life span of a George girlfriend anyway? Maximum 2 years???

By alk

I NEVER WATCHED LEVERAGE BEFORE BUT AM WATCHING IT TONIGHT...CURIOSITY AND SHE IS GORGEOUS MUCH BETTER THAN HIM..

Monday 21 June

By Anna

His ex girlfriend Sarah Larson was much prettier .

By dls

Very disappointed to see her smoking. Clooney, well he's probably going to hold on to her because he must be feeling his youth going away, and having to deal with mid-life crisis like everyone his age has to go through, both physically and psychologically.

By dave

I wonder if "she" pees standing up.

By andie482

I watched Leverage last night. And she was not pretty at all and she can not act. She was in it for 15 minutes max and was awful. She probably got the part because George and Dean Devlin are such good friends. Because I can't think of another reason.

Saturday 26 June

By Juliette Luus

she's nice looking, makes him happy, they both wanted each other.as previously reported, so let's give them a break.....I am sure she got the part for who she is, not her acting skills.....maybe she will do the oldest trick in the book.....and he will fall for it.

Thursday 29 July

By KADEN

I BET SHE IS HIS DRUG DEALER IN ITALY.COCAIN WILL AGE YOU FAST,GIVE THEM BOTH 5 MORE YEARS.SHE WAS ALSO A PAID ESCORT WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE .THAT ALSO AGES U.

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