Josh Hartnett’s career has never followed the script Hollywood seemed to write for him. After becoming one of the industry’s biggest rising stars with films like Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down, he stepped away from the spotlight at the height of his fame, turning down major franchise roles and choosing projects that aligned more closely with his own ambitions than with box office expectations.
As he celebrates his 48th birthday, his journey stands as a reminder that longevity in Hollywood is often built on restraint rather than constant visibility. Along the way, guidance from fellow actors helped shape that perspective, including a supposed piece of career advice from George Clooney.
What career advice did George Clooney give Josh Hartnett?
According to Josh Hartnett, the best career advice he ever received was a quote attributed to George Clooney: “You’re never as good as they say you are, and you’re never as bad as they say you are“.
Hartnett has even joked that he’s not entirely sure Clooney actually said it, calling it “probably just a rumor”, but added that it has remained his favorite piece of advice because it keeps success and failure in perspective.
He shared the story during an interview with ELLE while promoting Trap in 2024. Reflecting on his decades in Hollywood, he explained that the saying resonated with him because it serves as a reminder not to become consumed by either praise or criticism
After experiencing both extremes early in his career, the actor found lasting value in maintaining a balanced view of his work rather than allowing public opinion to dictate his choices. The message is particularly fitting given Hartnett’s career trajectory.
At the beginning of the 2000s, he was one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars after starring in films. His popularity led to constant speculation about him taking on franchise roles, including Batman and Superman, but he ultimately chose a different path, turning down several blockbuster opportunities in favor of smaller, character-driven projects.
In later interviews, Hartnett has acknowledged that stepping away from the spotlight was not always understood by the industry. Rather than chasing the biggest paychecks or the highest-profile roles, he preferred to preserve his independence and avoid being typecast as Hollywood’s next leading man.
That philosophy closely mirrors George Clooney’s own long-standing approach to filmmaking. Clooney has often spoken about prioritizing scripts, creative freedom and personal convictions over financial rewards, famously revealing that he once turned down a $35 million offer for a single day’s commercial work because he did not believe it aligned with his values.
