Why was George Clooney absent from several Venice Film Festival events? Actor’s representative shares health update

George Clooney arrived in Venice with his wife, Amal Clooney, for the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

However, Clooney had missed a press junket and a private dinner with his co-stars Adam Sandler and Laura Dern on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The day that he fell sick was a day full of promotional activities for his new Netflix movie, Jay Kelly. Later, he was seen taking a boat from the Hotel Excelsior back to his home to rest.

A spokesman for the actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist told People Magazine that he had to limit his day due to a sinus infection:

“Unfortunately, George has a sinus infection and, under doctor’s orders, he has had to scale back his activities today.”

The actor also missed the following day's press conference on August 28. The press conference's moderator announced:

“As you may know, George Clooney is not going to be here because he has a bad sinus infection. We really hope, and I think he should be on the red carpet tonight. But he is very sorry he cannot be with us.”

Adding to that, the Netflix movie Jay Kelly's Director, Noah Baumbach, joked:

“Even movie stars get sick.”

George Clooney's return

George Clooney is anticipated to attend the international premiere of Jay Kelly at the Sala Grande theater later this week, even though he had missed some events and press conferences.

Baumbac spoke about his new film, Jay Kelly:

"Jay Kelly is about a man looking back at his life and reflecting on the choices, the sacrifices, the successes, the mistakes he’s made. When is it too late to change the course of our lives?"

He added:

"Jay Kelly is an actor and as such the movie is about identity. How we perform ourselves. Who are we as parents, children, friends, professionals? Are we good? Are we bad? What is the gap between who we’ve decided we are and who we might actually be? What makes a life? Jay Kelly is about what it means to be yourself.”

George Clooney will be seen playing the role of Jay Kelly in the eponymous movie. The cast also includes Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Greta Gerwig, Riley Keough, and Billy Crudup.

Clooney's Jay Kelly and Emma Stone's Bugonia will be competing for the Golden Lion prize.

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The film Jay Kelly will be on the big screens for two weeks from November 14, 2025, and will then premiere on Netflix from December 5, 2025.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.

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