George Clooney Scales Back Venice Festival Appearances Due to Illness

George Clooney had to scale back his commitments at the Venice Film Festival due to a sudden illness, which forced him to cut short a press junket for Noah Baumbach’s competition film Jay Kelly and skip a private dinner with the cast and Netflix executives. Though the nature of his illness was not disclosed, sources emphasized that it was nothing serious, and Clooney was advised to rest ahead of the film’s official press conference and world premiere. Clooney was seen leaving the Hotel Excelsior by boat to recuperate, and despite his absence from some events, the producers assured that he would still appear on the red carpet. Jay Kelly, a dramedy about a fading Hollywood actor’s reflective journey through Europe, stars Clooney alongside Adam Sandler and Laura Dern and is slated for a mid-November U.S. theatrical release before streaming globally in December. Clooney’s illness stirred speculation among journalists given his usual dedication to festival obligations, but he took the night off out of caution to be at full strength for the premiere. The Venice Film Festival this year features a star-studded lineup, with Netflix playing a significant role in bringing high-profile films and talent to the event.