Proving that you can go home again, and even get 3,000 fans to stand outside in freezing temperatures, actor George Clooney returned to his hometown to promote his new movie "Leatherheads." The football comedy-romance premiered Sunday at Mayville's Washington Opera House.

Renee Zellweger, who also stars in the movie, joined Clooney on the Kentucky red carpet. Fans of all ages came out to see Clooney, including some who went to high school with the 46-year-old movie star.

Gov. Steve Beshear and his wife Jane showed up for Clooney, as did Maysville native and former Miss America Heather French Henry who was accompanied by her husband, former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry. It was estimated that one-third of the population of Maysville gathered for the event.

It was Clooney's idea to premiere the movie in small towns across America as a way of "coming full circle." Clooney's aunt, Rosemary Clooney, premiered her movie "The Stars Are Singing" in Maysville in 1953.

Clooney said being from a small town was still a part of him and his Kentucky fans really are family. "If you're from a small town, you don't really ever shake that. It's the best support system and they're always the biggest critics, which is kind of the fun of it."