George Clooney turned one of the biggest honors of his career into a tribute to the people waiting for him offscreen. The Ocean’s Eleven star, 65, accepted the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Wednesday, September 2, with wife Amal Clooney in the audience. The Oscar winner used his speech to celebrate his family, poke fun at his career and deliver a serious message about the role artists can play during uncertain times.
What Did George Clooney Say About Amal Clooney?
Amal, 48, received one of the evening’s most personal shoutouts. “I am grateful to the friendships that I’ve made over the course of a lifetime,” George said per the video shared by People.
“I am at a loss for words to describe how much I love my wife. How proud I am of her.” The couple married in Venice in 2014 and share 9-year-old twins Ella and Alexander, making the Italian city an especially meaningful setting for the milestone.
George jokingly said he was proud of “at least one of” their children before getting another laugh at his own expense. “By the way, my two kids are the only two people that thought I was good in Batman,” he said.
What Message Did George Clooney Share in His Speech?
GettyThe “Jay Kelly” star later shifted to a more serious message about storytelling, free expression and empathy.
“We’re living through a moment in time where people in charge, the people with the most money, are telling us to fear one another,” George said. He argued that artists and journalists have historically faced pressure from those who oppose scrutiny and challenging ideas.
“Stories are always dangerous to people who peddle in fear, the people who are afraid of books and music and stories are never the heroes in history,” he said.
George closed by stressing the importance of “determination” and “love” in keeping society together.
How Did Brad Pitt Honor George Clooney?
Laura Dern, George’s “Jay Kelly” costar, introduced the award and also delivered a message from longtime friend Brad Pitt. Pitt, 62, found room for a joke while praising his “Ocean’s” costar.
“He can do, perform, accomplish, compete at most anything and does it better than any of us, but please, keep him off the dance floor,” Brad wrote, as per People, calling George “a really bad dancer.”
How Did George and Amal Clooney Celebrate in Venice?
GettyEarlier Wednesday, George revealed that he and Amal planned to keep the celebration appropriately Italian.
“We’re going to go find a fun place to have dinner, my wife and I,” he told reporters.
He added with a laugh, “she’s going to be wearing a very nice dress so we’ll have to be careful where we go.”
The evening brought the couple back to a city woven deeply into their relationship. George told reporters that their 2014 wedding remains his greatest Venice memory.
His latest visit now gives the family another one to add to the list.
