Key Takeaways
- Surprise Footage: George Clooney was shown real footage from his 40-year career without prior warning while filming the final scene of his new movie, “Jay Kelly.”
- Genuine Reaction: The actor admitted he was “a little disturbed” by the surprise, and his genuine on-screen reaction was captured in the first take and used in the film.
- The Infamous Mullet: Clooney joked about the difficulty of watching himself age on screen, particularly his mullet from the 1980s sitcom The Facts of Life.
- New Movie Details: “Jay Kelly,” directed by Noah Baumbach and co-starring Adam Sandler, features Clooney as a movie star reflecting on his life and career.
George Clooney got a candid look at his own past while filming his latest movie, “Jay Kelly,” and his reaction was one of genuine shock. The actor revealed that he was “a little disturbed” after being confronted with a montage of his old film and TV roles, a surprise orchestrated by director Noah Baumbach.
A Surprise on the Set of ‘Jay Kelly’
In “Jay Kelly,” Clooney plays a fictional movie star of a similar stature to himself. The film’s final scene depicts his character, Jay, watching a career-spanning highlights reel during a lifetime achievement ceremony. However, Baumbach added a meta twist: the reel was composed of actual clips from Clooney’s own four-decade career.
Clooney told PEOPLE he had no idea this was planned. “I didn’t know they were going to do [it],” he explained. “The first time he shot, it was the first time he showed it to me. The first take is in the movie.”
A Candid and “Disturbed” Reaction
The result is a moment of authentic surprise from the actor. Clooney admitted his on-screen gasp while grabbing co-star Adam Sandler’s hand was hardly acting.
“I was really surprised by that—and a little disturbed,” he confessed. “It’s hard. You have to really fortify yourself for seeing 40 years of aging on screen.”
Confronting a Famous Mullet
Among the decades of clips, one particular hairstyle stood out. “It’s not so easy with a bad mullet. It’s not great,” Clooney joked, referring to his signature look from his time on the 1980s sitcom The Facts of Life.
The actor recently revisited the iconic hairdo during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, proving he can still laugh about his past fashion choices.
About the Film
“Jay Kelly” offers a poignant and humorous look at a movie star’s life, bolstered by a star-studded cast that includes Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, and Riley Keough. The film is currently in theaters and is set to premiere on Netflix on December 5.