George Clooney Has Strong Reaction for Critics Who Think He Only Plays Himself in Movies

NEED TO KNOW

• George Clooney responded to critics who think he only plays himself in movies

• “Do people say that I only play myself?” he asked

• The actor stars in the upcoming movie Jay Kelly with Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup

George Clooney isn’t concerned with people who question his range as an actor.

The actor, 64, responded to critics who think he only plays himself in movies in an interview with Vanity Fair published on Monday, Aug. 4.

“Do people say that I only play myself? I don’t give a s—,” Clooney said. “There aren’t that many guys in my age group that are allowed to do both broad comedies like O Brother [Where Art Thou?] and then do Michael Clayton or Syriana. So if that means I’m playing myself all the time, I don’t give a s—.”

The Oscar winner then quoted his upcoming movie Jay Kelly, in which he plays a famous actor reflecting on his life while traveling through Europe. “Have you ever tried playing yourself? It’s hard to do,” he said.

Looking back on his own career, Clooney told the outlet, “I’ve been the beneficiary of having my career not be massively successful in lots of different directions.”

He continued, “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. I had a real understanding of how fleeting all of it is and how little it has to do with you, quite honestly.”

In 2023, Quentin Tarantino claimed Clooney was no longer a movie star during a conversation with Deadline’s Baz Bamigboye. “Well, it’s been a long while since I think George Clooney has drawn anybody to an audience,” the director said of the Ticket to Paradise actor.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Clooney’s long career includes movies From Dusk till Dawn, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Ocean’s Eleven and Gravity, and an iconic role on in the NBC’s ’90s hit ER. He won Oscar Awards for his respective performances in Syriana and Argo.

The actor made his Broadway debut in 2025’s play adaption of his 2005 movie Good Night, and Good Luck.

Clooney’s latest work, Jay Kelly, is directed by Noah Baumbach and also stars Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup.

The film “follows famous movie actor Jay Kelly (Clooney) and his devoted manager Ron (Sandler) as they embark on a whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones and the legacies they’ll leave behind.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Speaking about his costar, Sandler, Clooney told Vanity Fair that the movie “shows what a beautiful, heartfelt, soulful actor he is—I kept telling the cast, ‘Don’t call him Sand Man. Don’t talk to him like he’s just some goofy comedian. He’s actually a really beautiful, wonderful actor.’ “

Jay Kelly is in select theaters Nov. 14. The film will begin streaming on Netflix on Dec. 5.

Read the original article on People