Sinus infection sidelines the star ahead of his film’s world premiere

August 28, 2025 — Hollywood stalwart George Clooney was forced to pull back from several key appearances at the Venice Film Festival this week due to a sudden illness, his representatives confirmed. The actor, who traveled to the event to promote his latest film Jay Kelly, missed events including a press junket and a cast dinner.

A Preventive Pullback

Clooney, 64, was diagnosed with a sinus infection and stepped away from scheduled commitments on Wednesday, under direct orders from medical professionals to rest. As he left his hotel by boat later that afternoon, his health-conscious decision became the focus amid mounting concern.

Image Credit: Gisela Schober/Getty

Cast & Crew Reactions on the Ground

Director Noah Baumbach, speaking at the press conference, brought a moment of levity to the situation, joking, “Even movie stars get sick!” His remark came as Clooney’s absence was noted during a conference meant to showcase Jay Kelly to the press.

About Jay Kelly

The film follows “Jay Kelly,” a self-reflective aging movie star who embarks on a European journey with his manager—perfectly mirroring Clooney’s real-life persona. The meta-comedy explores themes of identity and legacy and features an ensemble cast including Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Billy Crudup. It premiered at Venice and will hit select theaters on November 14 before streaming on Netflix starting December 5.

What’s Next

It remains uncertain whether Clooney will be well enough for the film’s world premiere later today. For now, he stays sidelined, prioritizing recovery before possibly rejoining the festival spotlight.

Bottom Line

George Clooney’s unexpected illness has paused his festival appearances—but not the buzz surrounding Jay Kelly. With the film poised for a highly anticipated debut, all eyes now shift to whether the Oscar-winning star will recover in time to make a triumphant return to the Venice stage.