The ongoing tension between Hollywood’s old guard and its current icons took center stage this weekend at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. While accepting the Best Actor trophy for his performance in “Jay Kelly,” George Clooney used his platform to deliver a pointed rebuttal to Quentin Tarantino’s recent criticisms of several high-profile actors. Rather than ignoring the filmmaker’s controversial remarks, Clooney opted for a defense of his colleagues that emphasized professional respect and the need for kindness in an increasingly cynical industry.
“We Don’t Need to Be Adding to It”: Clooney Slams Industry Cruelty
Addressing the room on Saturday, Clooney made it clear that he holds the trio of targeted actors in the highest regard. “By the way, Paul Dano and Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, I would be honored to work with those actors. Honored,” he stated emphatically. His comments served as a direct counter-narrative to Tarantino’s public dismissals, positioning Dano, Wilson, and Lillard not just as capable performers, but as peers he would be proud to share a set with.
The “Jay Kelly” star linked his defense to the collaborative spirit of his latest project, which he described as being “made by people who love actors.” Clooney noted that this appreciation for the craft is a fundamental part of his own identity, having spent the majority of his life surrounded by the acting community. “I have a great affinity [for them], and I don’t enjoy watching people be cruel,” he remarked, casting Tarantino’s critiques as part of a larger, more troubling trend in modern discourse.
Clooney’s speech took on a more somber tone as he reflected on the current state of public life, urging his fellow artists to choose empathy over elitism. “We are living in a time of cruelty,” the star continued. “We don’t need to be adding to it.” By framing the defense of his peers as a moral necessity, Clooney effectively turned the awards ceremony into a call for unity, suggesting that the industry’s legacy should be built on mutual support rather than tearing down established talent.