George Clooney, the Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker, recently shared his personal experience on the home front. He pointed to the advantages his eight-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, have growing up in France versus what they received living in Los Angeles. At 64 years old, Clooney finds a rare moment to consider what’s past. He had the audacity to take his family out of the Hollywood spotlight and into a quieter world. Ultimately he is convinced his kids are living a “mille fois mieux” (a thousand times better) in France. There, they are protected from the pressures of stardom and the toxic culture of Hollywood.
Clooney’s feelings are guided by personal and professional introspection. While spreading the word on Noah Baumbach’s new film, Jay Kelly draws on his life story to inform his role. The documentary gives Clooney the opportunity to reflect, publicly, on the highs and lows of his career. He notes the importance of providing a stable environment for his children, away from the prying eyes of paparazzi ubiquitous in Los Angeles.
“They have a much better life. I was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life. France – they kind of don’t give a shit about fame. I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.” – George Clooney
Clooney decided to make his home in France based on his formative experience. He wanted to provide an inspiring space for his kids to grow up in. He draws on his experience as a former local TV anchor in Cincinnati. Those experiences profoundly influenced his character. Nick Clooney, 91, has had a lasting and profound influence on Clooney’s outlook on family and life. The influence of his father’s direction has endured in him.
In preparing for his recent Broadway return, the actor’s life turned deeply introspective. He channeled his creative energy into a stage adaptation of his 2005 Oscar-winning film, Good Night, and Good Luck. Despite the excitement surrounding this high-profile project, Clooney admitted that age made the experience more stressful.
“As you get older, it doesn’t matter how many granola bars you eat; your brain starts to lock up.” – George Clooney
Clooney has candidly discussed his past struggles with substance use, sharing that he had “runs where I’d get pretty toasty every night” and dabbled in cocaine during the early 1980s. Looking back on those experiences, he has spoken out about the ways that such injustices could ruin his children’s lives.
The actor’s wife, Amal Clooney, a prominent human rights lawyer, has faced her own challenges, including warnings from the foreign office regarding potential sanctions from the Trump administration. She has made headlines for her fierce advocacy and legal work, notably being the only person to successfully put ISIS on trial.
“My wife spent two years in a bunker trying Hezbollah. She’s the only person to put Isis on trial. She’s the bravest person I’ve ever met. We have other issues besides just worrying about an American administration saying unkind things about us.” – George Clooney
Even amidst this heavy and challenging international landscape, Clooney is still most concerned with keeping his kids safe and giving them a sense of stability. And he’s familiar from the inside with the distinctive pressures of fame. His desire is to spare Ella and Alexander from facing those same challenges as they grow up.
The actor’s passion goes further than just his own dreams. He wants to raise his children with strength and autonomy. He emphasizes the importance of their ability to thrive in an unpredictable world, stating, “It’s important to me that they can survive.”
As Clooney navigates both his career and family responsibilities, he continues to reflect on the balance of fame and personal life. In order to shield his children from predatory interests, he made the decision to raise them in France. This decision further reflects his commitment as a father.