George Clooney pranks Richard Kind with Oscar awards in an incident that highlights their longstanding friendship and Clooney’s infamous sense of humor, which has contributed stories to Hollywood lore. The actor’s playful antics with his former roommate unexpectedly involved airport security and brought new laughs to a friendship that has lasted decades.
A Legendary Friendship in Hollywood
Stories about celebrity roommates before their rise to fame capture the imagination of fans, and few duos embody this better than George Clooney and Richard Kind. The two spent their early years in Los Angeles, searching for acting opportunities, and their friendship has endured, making the details of their shared experiences almost legendary. Richard Kind, now a Broadway performer and beloved character actor, recounted their stories during an appearance on Steve Kmetko’s Still Here Hollywood podcast, offering a glimpse into the close relationship the two have maintained over the years.
The Unexpected Awards Showdown at the Airport
Detailing one of Clooney’s elaborate pranks, Kind described an incident that took place before Clooney’s marriage to Amal and the arrival of his children, during a time when he often stayed at Clooney’s home in Los Angeles. Kind shared,
“One night, years ago, I have to go to Vegas for some publicity. I don’t know when it was,”
—Richard Kind, Actor. The evening took an unexpected turn when Kind prepared to leave for his trip. As he waited for his car with Clooney nearby, Kind briefly went upstairs to retrieve something, leaving his suitcase unattended at the foot of the stairs. When he returned, the car arrived, and his bag was placed into the trunk before heading to Burbank Airport.
Upon arrival at the airport, Kind was pulled aside by security.
“I go through the TSA line, and they pull me aside and they go, ‘Sir, could you come here, please?’”
—Richard Kind, Actor. In a twist, the agent opened Kind’s suitcase to reveal
“an Oscar and a SAG award that George put in my suitcase as I was waiting to go, and [now] I have to schlep.”
—Richard Kind, Actor. Clooney had stealthily placed his prestigious awards—a possible reference to his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Syriana or the Best Picture win for Argo, as well as one of his four SAG Awards for ER—directly in Kind’s bag.
Laughing about the ordeal, Kind recalled,
“the SAG award is very heavy. It’s about 12 pounds. An Oscar, I don’t know, but I [have to] schlep them to Vegas for the weekend.”
—Richard Kind, Actor. The surprise left a memorable mark due to both the literal and figurative weight Kind had to carry as he traveled.
Classic Clooney Pranks Through the Years
This airport incident was not Clooney’s first prank on Kind. During the filming of Ocean’s Eleven in Las Vegas at the iconic Bellagio Hotel, Kind visited the set and spent time with Clooney, along with stars like Julia Roberts and Matt Damon. After a night of socializing, when Kind fell asleep on a rollaway cot, the group quietly rolled him out onto the casino floor. Slot machine players were baffled by the unexpected sight, cementing the moment as one of the many humorous stories from their friendship.
Perhaps most infamous was a series of practical jokes during the time they were roommates. Clooney covertly cleaned Kind’s cat’s litter box for weeks without telling him, leading Kind to worry that there was something wrong with his pet. As the confusion mounted, Clooney finally decided to escalate the joke by placing his own “contribution” in the litter box, resulting in Kind’s shocked reaction and Clooney’s uncontrollable laughter. The story remains a favorite in recounting their years as roommates and underscores Clooney’s continued affection for elaborate gags.
The Enduring Bond and Its Place in Hollywood Culture
Richard Kind and George Clooney’s friendship is a testament to the lasting bonds that develop in the early years of Hollywood careers. The pranks, reminiscent of classic show business camaraderie, have become a part of celebrity culture and inspire fond anecdotes among their peers. Their stories, shared on platforms like Steve Kmetko’s Still Here Hollywood, reveal the genuine warmth and mutual respect behind the mischief, with Kind often reflecting humorously on Clooney’s relentless playfulness.
The airport prank involving the Oscar and SAG awards not only added to the legend of their friendship but also highlights the lighter side of fame and the importance of trusted relationships in the entertainment industry. Fans and fellow actors alike continue to retell these tales, finding both amusement and inspiration in the enduring friendship between Clooney and Kind. As these stories circulate, the close-knit nature of Hollywood—and the high jinks of its most beloved personalities—remains at the heart of its enduring allure.
