George Clooney reflects on aging, his career – and why he rarely watches his own old films.
As George Clooney approaches his 65th birthday on May 6, the film icon looks back on a decades-long career. But he doesn’t do it by rewatching his own films. During the Chaplin Award gala in New York on April 27, Clooney spoke candidly about why he avoids reliving his older roles – and how aging has changed his perspective.
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A brilliant career – but little interest in looking back
Clooney, who has appeared in close to 100 films, admitted on the red carpet that it can be strange to see yourself as younger on screen.
“When you get older, it’s hard to watch movies from when you were younger. Because you’re like, ‘Oh my God, that doesn’t even look like me anymore,'” he told People.
One exception is “Fantastic Mr. Fox” from 2009 – the animated stop-motion film he recently watched with his eight-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella. Since he only lent voice to the main character, it was perceived as easier – and even fun. Especially now that the children are starting to understand what their father is working on.
Still, Clooney admits that he is not naturally drawn to reliving the past.
“I usually don’t want to look back,” he said.
“But now that I’m turning 65 in a week, looking ahead is a much shorter perspective. So maybe I’ll look back later.
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Honored among friends and partners
Clooney arrived at the gala with his wife, Amal Clooney. He was praised by longtime friends and colleagues, including Stephen Colbert, Julianna Margulies, John Turturro, and Sam Rockwell.
Turturro, who starred alongside Clooney in the 2000 classic “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” praised him warmly:
“He is a very warm person, very generous. A good person who has done a lot for others – humanitarian work, commitment, philanthropy. He has chosen really good projects, and he is someone who has grown throughout his career.
Turturro also noticed that Clooney’s path to stardom didn’t happen overnight – which gives him a deep appreciation for the opportunities he eventually got.
What’s next for Clooney?
Even as he reflects on his past, Clooney is still active in the industry. He recently starred in the 2025 film “Jay Kelly” in the role of a movie star – not unlike himself. He has also confirmed that he is working on “Ocean’s 14”, a new sequel in the popular gang of Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts. Production is expected to start in October 2025.
In addition, Clooney will star in the French film “Call My Agent” (Dix Pour Cent), a spinoff of the acclaimed TV series. The film is scheduled to premiere on May 23.
