George Clooney discusses fame, failure, and his career in movies with 'Jay Kelly'

George Clooney insists he is not Jay Kelly. Yet, playing a celebrated actor grappling with regrets and the consequences of chasing fame naturally raises questions. At 64, Clooney wasnt pondering this existentially when Noah Baumbach approached him with the rolehe was simply aware of how rare strong roles become with age.

I was already inclined to take it before reading the script, Clooney told The Associated Press. He wasnt alone: Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Billy Crudup also joined Jay Kellystreaming on Netflixlargely based on Baumbachs reputation. The filmmaker, known for Marriage Story and The Squid and the Whale, has a magnetic pull on actors, whether through prior collaborations or admiration from afar.

The film, co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, offers more than a witty character study. It provides a detailed, affectionate view of Hollywood, portraying the eccentric personalities behind the industrymanagers (Sandler), publicists (Dern), makeup artists (Mortimer), the once-hopeful actor (Crudup), and the star who made it (Clooney).

Crudup reflected, It celebrates the circus-like life of actors and the tantalizing nearness of a glamorous world. Movie stardom is often mistaken for happiness, but chasing it can make you miss the life you already have.

Fame, Setbacks, and What Really Matters

Clooneys perspective on fame was shaped by his aunt, Rosemary Clooney, whose career took off at 16. She believed in all the praise until the industry changed, and she wasnt ready. You have to accept the highs and lows, he explained.

Experiencing failure, Clooney notes, is intrinsic to acting. After many rejections, he rose to prominence in his 30s with ER. Being an actor means risking failure. That risk is what makes success meaningful, he said.

In Jay Kelly, the character confronts mortality, lost opportunities, and distant family relationships. Following his daughter across Europe under the guise of an award trip, he attempts to reconnect while his team scrambles behind him. Mortimer observed, Spending your life embodying other people is confusing. You want to explore reality but also protect yourself from it.

Clooney, however, feels content with his own journey. If tomorrow ended, Id be at peace with my life, my friendships, family, and films, he said, though public recognition ensures he cant move unnoticed.

The People Behind the Stars

In the film, Jay Kelly jokes about loneliness, but movie stars are always surrounded by their teams. Sandler and Dern drew inspiration from their real-life experiences with agents and publicists. Sandler recalled observing his agent juggling calls and texts, noting the passion and precision involved. Dern praised her longtime publicist for guiding her career since she was 19.

Early mentors also shaped the casts outlooks. Sandler remembers Dustin Hoffman advising him to focus on working with great filmmakers rather than just seeking famea principle that guided him into collaborations like Baumbachs The Meyerowitz Stories. Clooney cited Norman Lear as a model for a fulfilling life in show business, emphasizing the importance of relationships over relentless work.

A Cinematic Retrospective

During production, Baumbach crafted a montage of Jay Kellys career. For the final scene, Clooney unexpectedly faced his own filmography, provoking a powerful emotional response. It was overwhelming, but authentic, Baumbach said, noting Clooneys genuine engagement with his cinematic past.

The moment became iconic, even appearing on promotional materials. Clooney reflected, All my memories arent the movie scenes themselves, but the experiences of making them. Ive had a truly fortunate life.

Author: Grace Ellison