• George Clooney missed Telluride Film Festival premiere of Jay Kelly due to a sinus infection contracted in Italy.
• Illness forced him to cut back activities during the Venice Film Festival despite attending the world premiere.
• Jay Kelly received a remarkable 10-minute standing ovation at Venice.
• Clooney’s representative confirmed he followed medical advice to avoid flying with sinus and ear infections.
• Director Noah Baumbach lightheartedly noted, “Even movie stars get sick.”
• Clooney’s supportive presence on the Venice red carpet highlighted his dedication despite health setbacks.

George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney were absent from the North American premiere of his latest film, “Jay Kelly,” at the 2025 Telluride Film Festival because the actor was dealing with a sinus infection he caught during a visit to Italy. At age 64, Clooney heeded his doctor’s recommendation to avoid flying, as his sinus and ear infections made travel risky. This was a disappointment for Clooney, who had been looking forward to celebrating the film’s U.S. premiere with his co-stars and director Noah Baumbach. His illness forced him to withdraw from multiple appearances at the Venice Film Festival earlier, missing press events and dinners, while he remained in Venice for rest and recovery as advised by his doctor.

Jay Kelly Receives a 10-Minute Standing Ovation at Venice Film Festival Premiere

Despite his health issues, George Clooney attended the World Premiere of “Jay Kelly” at the Venice Film Festival, where he and co-star Adam Sandler received enthusiastic applause from the audience. Directed by Noah Baumbach, the film received a lengthy standing ovation lasting about 10 minutes at the Sala Grande theater, a renowned venue. During the ovation, Clooney embraced Sandler and the director, and shared a touching moment with Amal Clooney, who was noticeably moved from her seat behind him. The film explores the tale of Jay Kelly, a renowned actor facing personal and professional dilemmas on a European trip with his dedicated manager, portrayed by Sandler. This warm reception underscored the significant influence of Clooney’s return to the festival stage, despite his illness.

George Clooney’s Health Challenges During Venice Film Festival

Clooney’s sinus infection significantly impacted his festival engagements. At Venice, he missed vital occasions including the “Jay Kelly” press conference and several media commitments. Reports indicated that he discreetly left the Hotel Excelsior to rest, bypassing a critical dinner with co-stars Laura Dern and Adam Sandler. A festival moderator announced his absence, stating, “George Clooney is not going to be here because he has a bad sinus infection,” while Baumbach added humor by commenting, “Even movie stars get sick.” Nevertheless, Clooney managed a strong, though restricted, presence on the red carpet for the premiere, highlighting his dedication to the film and its audience.

Clooney’s representative shared with the media that the actor was following strict medical advice: “Due to the sinus and ear infections George is currently experiencing, his medical team advised against traveling to Telluride.” The rep also expressed regret at the missed events, emphasizing George’s enthusiasm to support the film’s U.S. launch. While the star took a step back during the press-heavy days in Venice, he was keenly aware of his fans’ and industry’s anticipation for the film. Baumbach’s remark, “Even movie stars get sick,” resonated well with the audience, humanizing Clooney’s health challenges. Further, Clooney’s relationship with Amal was a source of strong support throughout this ordeal, as reflected by familial warmth captured at festival events.

George Clooney’s sinus infection also meant his absence from several promotional events related to Jay Kelly, including those scheduled in Venice and Telluride. The illness may have temporarily affected the media exposure of the Netflix-backed film during festival circuits. Nonetheless, the film’s warm reception and Clooney’s determined red carpet presence ensured ongoing momentum for what is expected to be an awards season contender. Industry insiders consider the actor’s health situation a temporary hurdle, with Clooney now reported to be “on the mend” and expected to return to full promotional duties as the film continues its rollout.

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