George Clooney Drops Out of Venice Film Festival Appearances Amid Illness

George Clooney, who is at the 2025 Venice Film Festival for his movie Jay Kelly, had been absent from the events ahead of the film's Aug. 28 world premiere due to his health.

By Brahmjot Kaur Aug 28, 2025 2:43 PM
| Updated Aug 28, 2025 5:20 PM
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Watch: George Clooney Drops Out of Venice Film Festival Appearances Amid Illness

George Clooney is planning to recuperate from dusk 'til dawn.

While the actor basked in the Italian sun at the 2025 Venice Film Festival ahead of his movie Jay Kelly's world premiere, he was noticeably absent from multiple events on Aug. 27.

George—who stars in the Noah Baumbach film alongside Adam Sandler and Riley Keough—didn't attend the film's press conference due to a "bad sinus infection,” his rep confirmed to People.

According to a festival moderator, per Deadline, the Ocean's Eleven star "should" be attending the Aug. 28 premiere, with Adam teasing that "even movie stars get sick." The cast would miss George's presence, as Laura Dern admitted that she would be "devastated" if he weren't there.

E! News has reached out to reps for George for comment and has not yet heard back.

The 64-year-old's health update comes days after he and his wife Amal Clooney arrived in Venice on Aug. 26 for the prestigious festival. The couple, who share 8-year-old twins Ella and Alexander, were glowing as they waved to crowds from their boat.

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See George Clooney, Emma Stone and More Celebrities at Venice Film Festival 2025

For George, having his wife of nearly 11 years supporting him in his career has been his ticket to paradise.

"I have this incredible partner who I couldn't be more proud of," he gushed to E! News in June. "She's the bravest human being I've ever met in my life. I am deeply proud of her and the fact that she's in any way proud of me, if just, I can't believe how lucky I am.”

It was especially important, as George described his starring role in the film—which follows Jay Kelly as he and his manager Ron (Adam) embark on a journey through Europe—as the most vulnerable work of his career.

STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images

"When you're an actor in my position, at my age, finding roles like this aren't all that common," he explained to Vanity Fair earlier this month. “If you can't make peace with aging, then you've got to get out of the business and just disappear. I'm now the guy that, when I go running after a bad guy, it's funny—it's not suspenseful. That's OK. I embrace all of that."

As a veteran in the industry, the ER alum knows how important it is to jump on a project he’s passionate about.

"I've been the beneficiary of having my career not be massively successful in lots of different directions," Clooney continues. "I didn't really get successful, in the kind of success that can be blinding, until I was 33 years old. I'd been working for 12 years at that point."

As he put it, "I had a real understanding of how fleeting all of it is and how little it has to do with you, quite honestly."

Keep reading to see the cast of Jay Kelly and more celebs at the Venice Film Festival.

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Shailene Woodley

The Big Little Lies actress hit the red carpet to support her The Descendants co-star George Clooney at the premiere of his new film, Jay Kelly.

Emma Stone

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Amal Clooney & George Clooney

The Clooneys showed why they are red carpet royalty at the Jay Kelly premiere, with Amal wearing a stunning fuchsia dress and George in a classic black tux.

Adam Sandler & family

It was a family affair at the Jay Kelly premiere, with the Sandman posing for pics with his wife Jackie Sandler and daughters Sunny and Sadie.

Alicia Silverstone

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View More Photos From Venice Film Festival 2025: Celebrity Sightings
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