George Clooney has been sidelined from the Venice Film Festival due to illness.
The Oscar-winning actor, 64, was absent from the Venice press conference for his movie “Jay Kelly” on Thursday, Aug. 28.
“George has been diagnosed with a sinus infection and is under doctors orders to cut back all activities today,” Simon Halls, a representative for the actor, confirmed to USA TODAY.
The press conference went forward without Clooney, with director Noah Baumbach and stars Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup and Emily Mortimer speaking to reporters.
“Even movie stars get sick,” Baumbach quipped.
George Clooney is seen at Hotel Excelsior during the Venice International Film Festival on Aug. 27, 2025.
Clooney was previously photographed in Venice on Wednesday, Aug. 27, the first day of the star-studded festival where buzzy films that are expected to compete in awards season are being screened.
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The “Ocean’s Eleven” star plays the title character in “Jay Kelly,” which centers on a famous actor who “embarks on a journey of self discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager Ron,” played by Sandler, per Netflix’s synopsis. “Poignant and humor filled, epic and intimate, ‘Jay Kelly’ is pitched at the intersection of life’s regrets and notable glories.”
During the press conference, Dern praised Clooney as “remarkable” and said he is “so devastated he can’t be here.” She added that the star “gave us such a gift in this amazing, raw, true performance.”
From left, Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Noah Baumbach and Adam Sandler attend a photocall for “Jay Kelly” at the Venice Film Festival on Aug. 28, 2025.
Baumbach also told reporters he wrote the film with Clooney in mind.
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“I felt it was really important that the audience watching the movie have a relationship with the actor who’s playing the character,” the filmmaker said. “We all watching it have a history with George, just the way people in the movie have a history with Jay.”
“Jay Kelly” is set to be released in select theaters on Nov. 14 before hitting the streaming service on Dec. 5.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Clooney sick with sinus infection, skips Venice Film Festival
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