George Clooney Shares Why He Feels ‘Very Lucky’ in His Career and Life (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

• George Clooney plays the title character in the upcoming film Jay Kelly, which centers on a movie star

• The actor revealed whether he relates to his character in an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE at the NYFF on Monday, Sept. 29

• Jay Kelly is in select theaters on Nov. 14, then streaming on Netflix on Dec. 5

George Clooney is grateful for his life.

While he stars as a fictional actor full of regrets named Jay Kelly in the eponymous film, Clooney, 64, could be anything but.

PEOPLE spoke exclusively with the movie star at the Jay Kelly premiere at the New York Film Festival on Monday, Sept. 29, where he discussed his similarities to the character, or, instead, the lack thereof.

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Sure, they might look the same, as Clooney tells PEOPLE, “we’re the same height, same hair,” but the two men are quite different.

“There wasn’t that many similarities, in a weird way,” says Clooney. “Because he’s a guy who’s just so sad about his career and his life because he didn’t have friends and family, and he surrounds himself with people that just, he paid.”

Clooney has been “very lucky to not have to do that,” he says.

“I’ve been very lucky to have great family and great friends, and my kids actually like me still. They’re young,” he continues, referring to 8-year-old twins Alexander and Ella, whom he shares with his wife Amal Clooney, 47.

The father of two, who rose to fame at age 33 when he landed his breakout role on ER, recently told Netflix’s Tudum that he attributes his ability to stay grounded with fame coming “much later in my life.”

“I got to figure out how to live life before I figured out how to be famous, and I don’t think this character did,” he said.

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The upcoming film follows Jay Kelly and his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler) as they embark on a “whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe,” a synopsis explains.

“Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the legacies they’ll leave behind,” the synopsis continues.

The film, written and directed by Noah Baumbach, also stars Laura Dern and Billy Crudup.

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Jay Kelly is in select theaters Nov. 14, then streaming on Netflix Dec. 5.

Read the original article on People