:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/George-Clooney-is-seen-arriving-into-Venice-ahead-of-the-82nd-Venice-International-Film-Festival-082825-6359bca7d0254746bc6ca61b7e77c337.jpg "George Clooney illness forces star to exit Venice Film Festival appearances for new Oscar-buzzed ...")
A representative for the actor tells EW the nature of Clooney's illness. George Clooney illness forces star to exit Venice Film Festival appearances for new Osc
A representative for the actor tells EW the nature of Clooney's illness.
George Clooney illness forces star to exit Venice Film Festival appearances for new Oscar-buzzed movie Jay Kelly
A representative for the actor tells EW the nature of Clooney's illness.
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August 28, 2025 10:19 a.m. ET
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George Clooney at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. Credit:
Jacopo Raule/GC
- Oscar-winning actor George Clooney came down with an illness and was forced to back out of Venice Film Festival activities.
- A representative for the star tells EW the nature of Clooney's illness.
- Clooney is in Italy to promote *Jay Kelly*, his Oscar-buzzed new movie.
Oscar-winning actor George Clooney was forced to back out of Venice Film Festival appearances to promote his awards-buzzed new movie *Jay Kelly*, while the esteemed cinema event kicked off in Italy this week.
After the 64-year-old was seen at around 4 p.m. local time boarding on a boat to leave the local Hotel Excelsior, per *The Hollywood Reporter*, a representative for the actor tells* * in a statement that Clooney came down with an illness.
"George has been diagnosed with a sinus infection and is under doctors orders to cut back on his activities today," the star's publicist, Simon Halls, tells EW via email.**
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George Clooney arrives at the Hotel Excelsior at the Venice Film Festival.
Ernesto Ruscio/Getty
Directed by Noah Baumbach,* Jay Kelly,* also starring Adam Sandler and Laura Dern in Oscar-buzzed roles, has a premiere set for the awards-positioning Venice Film Festival later Thursday, which Clooney is potentially slated to attend upon recovery.
Per *THR*, Clooney additionally cut back his press appearances for the film on Wednesday, as well as backing out of a planned dinner with the film's talent.
With a wealth of Oscar-verified talent backing the film, including two-time Academy Award winner Clooney, Oscar-winning actress Dern, four-time nominees Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, and Oscar winner Jim Broadbent,* Jay Kelly* has widely been touted as one of the likeliest awards contenders of the upcoming season.**
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George Clooney responds to criticism that he only plays himself: 'I don't give a s---'
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*Jay Kelly* follows Clooney as a renowned actor struggling with identity and fame as he travels Europe with Sandler's Ron, his friend and manager, as they both learn to grapple with their legacy and future while navigating the star's schedule.
Other Oscar hopefuls debuting at this year's Venice Film Festival include Yorgos Lanthimos' *Bugonia*, Benny Safdie's *The Smashing Machine, *and Guillermo del Toro's *Frankenstein * joining the festival's competition lineup.
Another buzzy title screening out of competition at Venice, but still suspected to become awards contenders in the months ahead, includes Luca Guadagnino's *After the Hunt *starring Julia Roberts.
In addition to his film work, Clooney made major political headlines throughout 2024, after he publicly called for his longtime friend, President Joe Biden, to drop out of last year's presidential race against Donald Trump.
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The move led to criticism from select members of the media, including *The View* cohost Joy Behar, who spoke out against Clooney's decision from her post on the talk show, while Biden's son, Hunter, later slammed Clooney for the maneuver as well.
The Venice Film Festival runs through Sept. 6, before* Jay Kelly* releases Nov. 14 in select theaters before its Dec. 5 streaming debut on Netflix.
Source: "AOL Movies"
Source: VOGUE MAG
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