George Clooney has publicly expressed frustration with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino after the director reportedly questioned the actor’s status as a movie star. The 63-year-old actor, known for his roles in films like “Ocean’s Eleven” and “The Perfect Storm,” shared his irritation during an August 2024 interview with GQ magazine, where he appeared alongside longtime friend and co-star Brad Pitt.
Clooney stated that Tarantino had made remarks that downplayed his career, casting doubt on his relevance as a movie star since 2000. During the interview, Clooney expressed his annoyance with Tarantino, explaining that the director had reportedly disregarded his status in a conversation where he was listing movie stars. When asked about Clooney, he said that he was not one.
Clooney, a longstanding figure in Hollywood for more than 40 years, addressed Tarantino’s supposed challenge to identify a notable film he had starred in since 2000. Clooney expressed surprise at the suggestion, remarking that much of his career has taken place during that period and questioning the implication that his more recent work lacked significance.
However, there is no clear evidence that Tarantino made these specific comments publicly. Multiple sources have noted that while Clooney may have been genuinely irritated, the exact remarks attributed to Tarantino have not been documented in public interviews.
Despite the evident tension, Clooney kept a humorous attitude toward the situation while expressing his dissatisfaction. He made it clear that while he accepted the criticism, he intended to respond, recognizing the competitive nature of Hollywood but stressing the significance of collaborating with talented directors and strong screenplays.
This isn’t the first time Clooney and Tarantino have crossed paths. The two worked together on the 1996 vampire thriller “From Dusk Till Dawn,” directed by Robert Rodriguez and co-starring Tarantino. Their collaboration on that film was well-received, but their relationship has cooled over the years.
In the years following their collaboration, Clooney has continued to build an impressive filmography, starring in the critically acclaimed and commercially successful “Ocean’s Eleven” trilogy. He also received multiple Academy Award nominations and won an Oscar for his supporting role in “Syriana” (2005). Clooney’s career has spanned a wide range of genres, from the comedy of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” to the intense drama of “Michael Clayton.”
Looking back on his long career, Clooney expressed amazement at his ongoing relevance in Hollywood. He recalled a conversation with Matt Damon 25 years ago when Damon first gained recognition and won an Oscar, where Clooney advised him that achieving a 10-year career at that level was a rare and significant accomplishment. Clooney admitted he is still surprised to be working after all these years.
Tarantino, known for his bold and sometimes controversial statements, has yet to respond to Clooney’s remarks. The director has a history of candid comments about his peers in the industry, but the specifics of the alleged comments remain unclear.
As for Clooney, he continues to be a significant presence in the industry, with his latest film “Wolfs,” co-starring Pitt, set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival before streaming on Apple TV+ later this year.