George Clooney Recalls Hilarious Tale of Being Reprimanded by Frank Sinatra

By Zoe Papadakis | Tuesday, 28 October 2025 01:31 PM EDT
George Clooney shared a memorable Hollywood anecdote about being scolded by Frank Sinatra during an interview at the Los Angeles premiere of his film “Jay Kelly” at AFI Fest on Oct. 23. The 64-year-old actor recounted how Sinatra once confronted him over a press freedom boycott, leading to a tense phone call. “He was mad at me because I led this boycott about […] some press freedoms, and he called me because people thought he was sick, with helicopters flying over his home,” Clooney said. “He told me, ‘It’s not working what you’re doing!'” The actor described the encounter as a standout moment in his career, humorously noting, “But he was great. I got yelled at by Frank Sinatra!”

Clooney’s connection to Sinatra dates back to his early days in show business, when he worked as a driver for his aunt, singer Rosemary Clooney, who performed alongside Sinatra’s contemporaries. Reflecting on those years, Clooney shared how driving her and artists like Tony Bennett offered insight into the entertainment industry’s challenges. “I remember being on the road […] I was my Aunt Rosemary’s driver when she was singing,” he said. “I hadn’t known her much as a kid because I lived in Kentucky. She was the Hollywood aunt, so I came out to make a living, and I was her driver.”

The actor emphasized how those experiences taught him resilience and perspective. “I got a really good life lesson in success and failure and handling it,” he said. Clooney also highlighted the importance of lifelong friendships, recalling how his close circle helped keep him grounded during his decades in the spotlight. “Most of my friends […] we’ve been friends for 40 years. I slept on their couch when I was broke,” he added. “They’re always around when things and people are giving you too much credit. They’re the first to remind you that they’re full of crap. That’s always helpful.”

Earlier this month, Clooney confirmed plans for “Ocean’s 14,” the next installment in the Ocean’s franchise, set to begin filming in 2026. The film will reunite him with Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, continuing a series that originated with “Ocean’s 11” in 2001—a remake of the 1960 classic starring Sinatra and The Rat Pack.