Oscar-winning actor George Clooney, 64, was forced to curtail his commitments at the Venice Film Festival after feeling unwell on the opening day. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Clooney ended his Wednesday press junket early and missed a private dinner with director Noah Baumbach, 55, co-stars Adam Sandler, 58, and Laura Dern, 58, as well as Netflix executives. Photographs showed him leaving the Hotel Excelsior by boat around 4pm. Insiders have emphasised that the nature of his illness is “nothing to worry about”.
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Earlier in the day, Clooney had attended the festival dressed in a navy suit, striped shirt, and tinted sunglasses. The actor stars in Baumbach’s competition film Jay Kelly, and his absence from the dinner sparked concern among colleagues and fans. Despite the health scare, he was expected to attend Thursday’s press conference and world premiere.
Clooney recently discussed his future in acting, confirming that he will no longer appear in romantic comedies. Speaking to CBS News’ 60 Minutes in March, he said: “I’m 63 years old. I’m not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men. That’s not my job. I’m not doing romantic films anymore.” The actor is preparing for his Broadway debut in Good Night, And Good Luck, portraying journalist Edward R. Murrow and exploring his televised confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s.
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Reflecting on press freedom, Clooney highlighted the tension between governments and journalists, noting that authorities of all political leanings “don’t like the press”. He also spoke candidly about his decision to urge Joe Biden to step aside in the previous U.S. presidential race after witnessing what he described as “cowardice” in his own party following a debate with Donald Trump. Clooney said: “I was raised to tell the truth… I believed I had to tell the truth.”
