By Zoe Papadakis | Tuesday, 28 October 2025 01:31 PM EDT
George Clooney shared a memorable moment from his Hollywood career, recalling an instance when he was berated by Frank Sinatra. Speaking to People at the Los Angeles premiere of his new film “Jay Kelly” during AFI Fest on Oct. 23, the 64-year-old actor reflected on the experience with humor.
“I remember he was mad at me once because I led this boycott about […] some press freedoms, and he called me because people thought he was sick, and there were helicopters flying over his [home], and he called me going, ‘It’s not working what you’re doing!'” Clooney said. “But he was great. I got yelled at by Frank Sinatra!”
Clooney’s ties to Sinatra date back to his early career, when he worked as a driver for his aunt, singer Rosemary Clooney, who performed with many of Sinatra’s contemporaries. The Oscar winner described how these experiences provided insight into the entertainment industry and the challenges of fame.
“I remember being on the road […] I was my Aunt Rosemary’s driver when she was singing,” he said. “And I hadn’t known her much when I was young because I lived in Kentucky.”
“She was the Hollywood aunt. So I came out to make a living, and I was her driver,” Clooney added. “And I got to drive [her] and Tony Bennett and all of these really wonderful singers around for a year.”
He emphasized that the experience taught him about the pressures of public life. “I got a really good life lesson in success and failure and handling it. And I always remember that […] I felt very lucky that I got that lesson early in time,” he said.
Clooney also highlighted how his long-standing friendships have kept him grounded. “Well, I mean, most of my friends […] we’ve been friends for 40 years. I slept on their couch when I was broke.” He noted that these relationships help balance the excesses of fame. “They’re the first people to remind you that they’re full of crap. That’s always helpful.”
Earlier this month, Clooney confirmed that “Ocean’s 14,” the next installment in the Ocean’s franchise, is progressing at Warner Bros., with plans to begin filming in 2026. “Yeah, we just got it. We just got the budget approved at Warner Brothers, and we’re trying to set up,” he said. The film would reunite him with Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, continuing the series that began with “Ocean’s 11” in 2001—a remake of the 1960 classic led by Sinatra and The Rat Pack.
