George Clooney reflects on impact of ‘Jay Kelly’ role on his self

George Clooney is taking time to reflect on his life and career after stepping into the lead role in his latest film, Jay Kelly. 

Speaking with Us Weekly at the movie’s AFI Fest 2025 premiere in Los Angeles, the 64-year-old actor admitted that playing a movie star who questions his legacy led him to some self-reflection of his own.

“I’m constantly trying to figure things out about myself as I get older,” Clooney shared. 

“At this point in my career and life, if somebody writes a really good script and a really good part, which there aren’t that many of, then you just jump on board and try not to mess it up.”

In Jay Kelly, Clooney portrays a Hollywood A-lister preparing to receive a lifetime achievement award while wrestling with memories of his past and his relationships as a father, son, and friend. 

He is joined on-screen by Adam Sandler, who plays his loyal manager, Ron Sukenick. Despite the film’s introspective tone, Clooney said he’s more focused on what lies ahead than what’s behind him.

“I’m 64. I’m not really ready to look backwards and sort of rest on [my career],” he told reporters on the red carpet. “I sort of enjoy looking forward and seeing what’s coming next.”

The Argo actor added that, unlike his character, he finds strength and happiness in the people around him. 

“I’m lucky enough to not be as unhappy as [Jay] is,” Clooney explained. “I have really good friends and people that I like, and people that I’m close to, so I don’t feel as isolated as he is in Hollywood.”

Beyond the film, Clooney also recently opened up about his personal life and why he’s chosen to step away from Hollywood’s fast-paced environment. 

In an interview with Esquire earlier this month, the Ocean’s Eleven star revealed that he and his wife, Amal, decided to raise their two children in France instead of Los Angeles.

“I was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood,” Clooney said. 

“I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life.” He explained that moving to France has allowed their family to enjoy a quieter, more grounded lifestyle. 

“People here don’t give much importance about fame,” he shared, noting that he doesn’t want his children being compared to other celebrity kids.

“We live on a farm in France. A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid I hated the whole idea of it,” Clooney said. 

“But now, for them, it’s like—they’re not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.”

Clooney also mentioned that he doesn’t use social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook, though he’s aware his kids may one day explore them. 

Speaking to DailyMail.com at the Jay Kelly premiere during the New York Film Festival, he reflected on how he maintains balance amid fame.

“I have normalcy,” he said simply. “You know, I drive my kids to school every morning.”

For Clooney, both his latest film and his real life seem to share one message, that success means little without peace, family, and a sense of perspective.