Laura Dern reveals Brad Pitt’s hilarious message for George Clooney at Venice Film Festival
VENICE, ITALY: Laura Dern shared Brad Pitt’s playful take on his longtime friend and 'Ocean’s' costar George Clooney while presenting him with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on Wednesday, September 2.
During her tribute, Dern read a message from Pitt that praised Clooney’s career, character and friendship while joking about his dancing skills.
Brad Pitt praises George Clooney while poking fun at his dancing
Dern read Pitt’s message during her speech, with the actor describing Clooney as someone who can “do, perform, accomplish, compete at most anything” and does it better than everyone else, before adding, “please, keep him off the dance floor.”
Pitt also called Clooney a “pigeon-toed kid from Kentucky” and an “elder statesman,” joking that Clooney is always willing to show up when Pitt cannot because “he never met an award he wouldn’t run to.” He then questioned why audiences love Clooney before listing some of the qualities that have defined him.
“He’s a rogue, a prankster, an altruist, an actor, an athlete. The only guy you’d want in a crisis,” his message continued. He also described Clooney as “a father, a husband, a global citizen, a defender of justice” and ended by calling him “a really bad dancer.”
Pitt’s tribute came as the two actors appear poised to reunite for 'Ocean’s 14'. Clooney said in October 2025 that he was working on scheduling filming for the sequel to 2007’s 'Ocean’s Thirteen'. The film is expected to reunite Clooney, Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and others, with production expected to begin this October.
Bradley Cooper is separately directing a prequel to 2001’s 'Ocean’s Eleven', starring Cooper and Margot Robbie as the parents of Clooney’s Danny Ocean.
Laura Dern celebrates George Clooney’s career and friendship
Dern praised Clooney’s humanity, integrity and commitment to service and truth while presenting the Golden Lion. She highlighted his work as an actor, writer, filmmaker, producer and activist, describing him as “the best friend you could ever have and the funniest person you will ever meet.”
She also noted that Clooney has been voted Sexiest Man Alive twice. Dern compared Clooney to Gregory Peck, recalling how meeting the 'To Kill a Mockingbird' actor had made her believe a Renaissance man like him would be one of a kind.
“But my generation got one too in George,” she said, praising his iconography, humanity and greatness as an artist.
The actress also recalled meeting Clooney on his first movie, 1983’s 'Grizzly II: Revenge,' before working with him again decades later on 'Jay Kelly'. Dern described Clooney’s transformation when the director calls “action,” saying he becomes his character so completely that “this is all you see,” making those around him better actors.
She further praised Clooney as “a lifeline to pure truth” and said working with him means being on set with a master who watches every department to make sure every moment is better. Dern added that he watches his fellow actors closely for opportunities to champion them and that actors can “literally feel George rooting for you” both during scenes and between takes.
