Clooney Defends His Versatility: "Playing Myself is Hard"

According to a news report published on August 5, 2025, acclaimed actor George Clooney has responded to critics who question his range as an actor. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the two-time Oscar winner addressed the criticism that his characters are essentially just versions of himself.

Clooney, who won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role in the 2005 film Syriana, did not mince words. "Do people say that I only play myself? I don't give a sh-," he stated. Clooney pointed out that there are not many actors in his age group who are allowed to take on both broad comedies like O Brother, Where Art Thou? and more dramatic roles like Michael Clayton.

Echoing a quote from his upcoming film Jay Kelly, where Clooney portrays a 60-something movie star reflecting on his life, the actor added, "Have you ever tried playing yourself? It's hard to do." Clooney also reflected on his own career trajectory, noting that he did not achieve major success until he was 33 years old when he landed the role in the hit TV series ER. Prior to that, he had been working in the industry for 12 years, giving him a "real understanding of how fleeting all of it is and how little it has to do with you, quite honestly."

Jay Kelly, co-written by Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, is set to have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival later this month and will be released in theaters on November 14, 2025, with a streaming debut on Netflix on December 5, 2025. The dramedy also stars a talented ensemble cast including Laura Dern, Adam Sandler, Isla Fisher, and Greta Gerwig.