During a masterclass at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday, September 3, acclaimed actor George Clooney discussed his personal philosophy, insights into achieving acting success, and details about his upcoming movie. Clooney, an Oscar winner, shared with the audience how his father, a television anchor, and his mother, a city councilwoman and small business owner, influenced his perspective.
Clooney recounted his early career path, which included working on a Kentucky tobacco farm and selling insurance before his cousin, actor Miguel Ferrer, encouraged him to pursue acting. He noted that achieving success at 33, rather than 23, allowed him to make mistakes privately and learn from them, which he believes ultimately benefited his career. This later success also enabled him to work across various genres, preventing him from being typecast.
Addressing aspiring actors, the star of Ocean’s 11 and Gravity urged them to relentlessly pursue their dreams. He emphasized the importance of trying, even if success is not guaranteed, to avoid future regret. Clooney acknowledged the significant role of luck in the entertainment industry, citing his decision to choose the television series ER from two projects offered at the time. He likened creating luck to golfer Jack Nicklaus’s famous quote about practice leading to more luck, suggesting that making oneself available and pursuing opportunities can generate favorable outcomes.
Clooney also highlighted key collaborations in his career, including partnerships with Steven Soderbergh and the Coen brothers, and spoke about the influence of friendships with actors like Gregory Peck and Paul Newman, whom he called the real movie stars. He detailed the humanitarian efforts he undertakes with his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, through their foundation. This work, which includes assisting detained journalists in authoritarian countries, is guided by a principle his father instilled in him: to challenge those with more power and defend those with less.
The Hollywood icon confirmed that he is weeks away from beginning filming on his next movie, an adaptation of Amy Bloom’s memoir In Love, directed by Paul Weitz. He will star alongside Annette Bening in the project. Clooney concluded the masterclass by reflecting on the recent death of his sister from cancer, emphasizing the brevity of life and the importance of finding joy.
