George Clooney Has a Piece of Advice for Grownups in Hollywood

George Clooney has some very direct advice for older actors in Hollywood.

“If you can’t make peace with aging, then you’ve got to get out of the business and just disappear,” Clooney recently told Vanity Fair.

In the magazine interview, the 64-year-old chatted about his new Netflix comedy-drama, Jay Kelly. Clooney emphasized how the role is suited for him while also addressing those who are unsure about aging in show business.

“When you’re an actor in my position, at my age, finding roles like this aren’t all that common,” he explained.

In Jay Kelly, Clooney (in the title role) plays a major movie star (go figure!) who’s trying to navigate the complexities of life alongside his manager, Ron (Adam Sandler, 58).

The Ocean’s Eleven actor described himself as “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.”

Clooney also said he had to set parameters with Jay Kelly director Noah Baumbach.   

“I literally said to him, ‘Noah, look, I love the script. I love you as a director, but I’m 63 years old, dude — I can’t do 50 takes,’ ” he recalled. “I don’t have it in me. I’ve got the acting range from A to B.”

George Clooney stars in “Jay Kelly,” which premieres in November.

Peter Mountain/Netflix

In 2021, Clooney talked to AARP about how he avoided being on the cover for a decade but joked, “I wanted to do a funny bit, which would be Sexiest Man Still Alive. I would have done some funny picture, like with a walker.”

He continued: “Now that I’m about to turn 60, it’s not as funny. I always say to my dad, ‘I’m middle-aged.’ And he goes, ‘You know a lot of 120-year-olds?’ ” 

AARP’s advocacy work includes fighting ageism in Hollywood and encouraging the entertainment industry to tap into the unique perspectives and talents that actors, writers and producers who are 50 and older bring to their work. AARP’s annual Movies for Grownups Awards, telecast on PBS, celebrates the achievements of the 50-plus community in film and television. This year’s honorees included best actress Oscar winner Demi Moore (The Substance) and best actor Oscar winner Adrien Brody (The Brutalist).