George Clooney speaks out on the tragic death of Cindy Crawford's son Presley Gerber
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: George Clooney has expressed his support for business partner Rande Gerber and his wife, Cindy Crawford, following the death of their 27-year-old son, Presley Gerber, on September 20.
The model died from a suspected overdose after years of struggling with substance use and mental health issues. Clooney and his wife, Amal, have reportedly stayed close to the grieving family, helping them navigate the devastating loss.
George Clooney and Amal support Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford after Presley's death
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on October 9 at The Albies, an annual awards ceremony hosted by the Clooney Foundation for Justice, George described Presley's death as one of the most devastating events to affect their family.
“Quite honestly, it's one of the most devastating things that's happened to our family,” the actor said, adding that the Gerber family was going through an unimaginable tragedy. “It's the worst thing that could ever happen with family,” he added.
George co-founded Casamigos Tequila with Rande in 2013 and has remained close to his business partner's family. According to a source close to Crawford, George is considered 'family' to the couple.
“George, Amal and a few of their other close friends have been taking shifts staying with the family so they aren’t alone,” a source told PEOPLE. Another source said the couple joined the family in Los Angeles after learning about Presley's death.
They have reportedly been helping with arrangements and whatever else the family needs, with George having always maintained a close relationship with both Presley and his younger sister, Kaia Gerber.
Presley was the only son of Rande and Crawford, who married in 1998. The couple also share their daughter, Kaia, 25. Following Presley's death, a source close to Kaia told PEOPLE that the family was in “total shock” and “saddened beyond words.”
Kaia Gerber reflects on Presley's mental health struggles
Despite his struggles, Kaia praised Presley for being open about his experiences and helping others through his social media series, 'Mental Health Mondays,' which he launched in 2023 to discuss healthy habits and tools he had learned to manage his well-being.
“My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything—and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone,’” Kaia said. She added that concealing struggles could make someone feel as though their family was ashamed of them.
A source close to Crawford described the supermodel as “heartbroken” and “completely in shock” following her son's death. Another source told PEOPLE on September 24 that Presley was caring and charismatic, led with his heart and made people feel special and seen.
The source added that the world was “a little less kind now that he’s gone.”
Presley Gerber had spoken publicly about addiction and mental health
Presley had publicly discussed his mental health and substance use before his death. In a December 2025 post that was later deleted, he disclosed that he was taking prescription medications to address panic attacks amid his mental health struggles and sense of loss.
“I feel like honesty is the best policy,” he said.
In March, he also revealed on Instagram that he would undergo a high dose of naturally occurring psychedelics found in the iboga plant, which is sometimes used in addiction treatment.
