George Clooney says he struggles to remember his lines as he addresses realities of aging
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: George Clooney may still be one of Hollywood’s most enduring heartthrobs, but the Oscar winner is opening up about the realities of aging, including the unexpected challenge of remembering his lines.
The 64-year-old actor, who appears in Noah Baumbach’s upcoming Netflix film 'Jay Kelly', has reflected on how quickly time has passed and how age has crept up on him. In candid remarks made during promotions for the movie, Clooney admitted that memory has now become one of his biggest professional hurdles, something he never imagined earlier in his career.
Everybody knows Jay Kelly, but Jay Kelly doesn't know himself.
— Netflix (@netflix) May 6, 2025
JAY KELLY stars George Clooney and Adam Sandler.
A Noah Baumbach Picture.
In theaters November 14 and on Netflix December 5. pic.twitter.com/nuiw93sJW4
George Clooney says age is affecting his memory as he struggles to learn lines
Clooney revealed that returning to the stage earlier this year to perform 'Good Night, And Good Luck' on Broadway proved just how difficult memorization has become for him.
“I hadn’t done a play in 40 years. And so I was nervous. And every night, you know, I was worried because as you get older, it’s hard to remember your lines,” he admitted. “And it’s hard to remember s**t. And so I was scared. And it’s good to be 64 years old and not sure you can pull it off.”
The actor, who has built a decades-long career on sharp timing and charismatic screen presence, shared that he’s now forced to confront a reality many performers eventually face, the mind’s slowing pace.
George Clooney reflects on his long Hollywood journey
While filming 'Jay Kelly', Clooney was unexpectedly confronted with scenes from his earlier career that Baumbach had slipped into the final cut. Watching his younger self on screen struck him harder than he anticipated.
“You go through all the things we all go through, which is you watch yourself age, which you have to make peace with,” he said. “You also look at some f***ing horrible mullets. And you have to kind of get through all that.”
His early career flashbacks reminded him of his sitcom days in 'The Facts of Life', his breakthrough role on ER, and his transition into global superstardom through films like 'Ocean’s Eleven and Gravity'.
George Clooney’s career highs, lows and decisions that shaped him
Clooney didn’t shy away from revisiting his missteps, including 'Batman & Robin', which he jokes still haunts his children. “My dad had rubber f***ing nipples,” he laughed, imagining what his twins will one day think.
He also recalled his disastrous first movie 'Grizzly II: Revenge', saying, “We get eaten by a bear in the first scene and so it never comes out. Thank Christ.”
He has also weathered career lulls, telling fans that even legends like Gregory Peck and Paul Newman rode professional rollercoasters. “My career has had many failures and many things that I wish I’d done better,” he said.
Despite mistakes, George Clooney says he has few real regrets today
Clooney admitted that his character in 'Jay Kelly' is weighed down by regret, something he says does not mirror his own life. “He regrets his relationship with his father… his kids… the women in his life,” he said. “I don’t have much of that. I mean, I have kids that still like me.”
Married to human rights lawyer Amal Clooney for 11 years, the actor says he remains content, grounded and grateful, even as aging makes memorizing lines a bigger challenge than ever.
