George Clooney Battles Illness for “Jay Kelly” Premiere at Venice Film Festival

VENICE, Italy, Aug. 28, 2025 - George Clooney, stricken with a severe sinus infection earlier in the week, defied doctors’ orders to scale back his activities and joined his wife, Amal, on the red carpet for the world premiere of his new dramedy, Jay Kelly, at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

Despite missing the film’s press conference and other promotional events on Wednesday and Thursday, Clooney arrived arm-in-arm with Amal Clooney at the Sala Grande shortly before midnight, drawing enthusiastic applause from festivalgoers. His appearance came after speculation that he might withdraw entirely from the event due to his illness.

Jay Kelly, directed by Noah Baumbach and co-written with Emily Mortimer, casts Clooney as a famed movie star wrestling with a late-career reckoning during a whirlwind European journey with his devoted manager, portrayed by Adam Sandler. The film, in competition for the Golden Lion, received a ten-minute standing ovation as soon as the credits rolled, underscoring its warm reception among critics and audiences alike.

Reflecting on Clooney’s absence at the midday press conference, Baumbach quipped, “Even movie stars get sick,” acknowledging the real-life parallel between the actor’s condition and his character’s struggles. Festival organizers confirmed that under medical advice, Clooney had been advised to “reduce his activities” until he felt well enough to attend the premiere.

Following its Venice debut, Jay Kelly is slated for U.S. theatrical release on Nov. 14 before streaming on Netflix beginning Dec. 5.