George Clooney, sharing details of his journey in Hollywood, recently reflected on a key moment when he received significant career guidance from Paul Newman, the legendary actor. This conversation, which took place at a studio in 1998, left a lasting impact on Clooney and shaped how he viewed fame and his profession, offering insight into the kind of advice that helps shape careers in the entertainment industry.
Paul Newman’s Memorable Guidance to Clooney
Back in 1998, George Clooney found himself in conversation with Paul Newman, a movie icon he greatly admired. During their meeting at a studio, Clooney was not yet a household name to Newman, but that didn’t stop the veteran star from offering friendly advice. As Clooney departed, Newman told him,
“Don’t let them keep you inside.”
— Paul Newman, actor.
Reflecting on that day, Clooney admitted that Newman’s words took some time to fully resonate. Newman’s message revolved around the isolating effects of fame and the tendency for celebrities to become surrounded by layers of management and publicity teams. Clooney said that this can lead to losing touch with reality and the world beyond Hollywood.
He emphasized the importance of keeping honest people close, stating,
“But what happens is you can divorce yourself from what’s really going on out there. You need people in your life that tell you the truth.”
— George Clooney, actor.
Learning From Setbacks in Hollywood
George Clooney’s career has not been without challenges. One of the most notable setbacks happened in 1997 when he portrayed Batman in “Batman and Robin.” The film struggled both critically and financially, almost derailing the Batman franchise and risking Clooney’s rising career.
Clooney recalled the challenging experience on set, describing the difficulties he faced in the role:
“I would be laying on a board, and Joel Schumacher would direct you with a giant speaker, and he would go, ‘OK, George, and here we go. And ready? Your parents are dead. You have nothing to live for. And — action!’ And then they’d just prop me up and I go, ‘I’m Batman,’ and they go, ‘And cut.’ And they drop me back down, and then they carry me out on the board.”
— George Clooney, actor.
Despite the negative reception of the film, Clooney took away valuable lessons about the unpredictability of show business and the importance of resilience when facing adversity.
George Clooney’s Approach to Luck and Opportunity
Clooney has often acknowledged the role of luck in his success. According to him, he’s
“been the recipient of a lot of luck.”
— George Clooney, actor. However, Clooney believes that creating and seizing opportunities is crucial. He has advocated for betting on oneself and taking chances when they present themselves.
He emphasized,
“In my life, I have been the recipient of a lot of luck. But I also believe you create opportunity for luck. You create enough opportunity and, every once in a while, you’ll hit one.”
— George Clooney, actor.
Living Life to the Fullest Despite Uncertainty
As he has grown older, Clooney has consistently expressed a desire to embrace life fully rather than worry about uncontrollable circumstances. He shared,
“There’s no rhyme or reason for who gets to age and who doesn’t. So you should live as if you’re not going to get to. And then, if you wake up one day and you’re old, you’ve lived a really full life.”
— George Clooney, actor.
By relying on honest feedback, learning from both success and missteps, and focusing on personal growth, Clooney’s journey provides insight for others navigating fame or seeking to carve their own path in any ambitious field. The George Clooney career advice he has shared, rooted in wisdom from Paul Newman and his own experiences, continues to inspire rising entertainers and those facing challenges both in and out of the spotlight.
