When sultry 24-year-old actress Jennifer Lawrence told Vanity Fair that she was madly in love with 67-year-old American writer, actor and comedian Larry David, he was put on the spot. Her proclamation of love was read to him during the 15th annual New Yorker Festival and he listened carefully.

The leading lady had gushed:

“Im in love with him, and I have been for a really long time. I worship Woody Allen but I don’t feel it below the belt the way I do for Larry David.”

Mr. David said: “Smart kid. It’s a shame that I’m about 40 years older than she is.” When he was further questioned about her feelings being “below the belt”, Mr. David joked: “Maybe she’s refering to her knees.”

Mr. David was as public in his scorning of Ms. Lawrence as she had been in the declaration of her love. “I don’t think I could do it,” he said. “On one hand it’s very flattering and on another hand, it’s kind of a shame – in terms of timing. I’d have fun watching the reality show of it though.”