George Clooney pranks Richard Kind with Oscar and SAG award in a story that reveals the fun and sometimes elaborate jokes that mark their long-lasting friendship. The incident happened when Kind stayed at Clooney’s Los Angeles home, continuing a tradition of playful pranks between the two actors, with some taking unexpected turns.
Decades of Friendship and High-Profile Roommate Stories
Stories about unlikely pre-fame roommates often fascinate pop culture fans, such as the famed pairing of Holly Hunter and Frances McDormand, or the college connection between Craig Mazin and Ted Cruz at Princeton. One friendship that still draws attention is the enduring bond between Clooney, now a Broadway presence and A-list celebrity, and Richard Kind, a respected character actor and advocate.
Their early days as roommates in Los Angeles, each looking for acting opportunities, have spawned many tales within entertainment circles. Recently, new details about their relationship emerged during Richard Kind’s appearance with Steve Kmetko on the Still Here Hollywood podcast. This visit offered insight into the dynamic between the two stars, whose friendship has withstood Hollywood’s challenges.
The Infamous Oscar and SAG Award Prank
Richard Kind recounted an unforgettable prank that took place years ago, highlighting Clooney’s mischievous side. Kind was preparing for a trip to Las Vegas for a publicity event and, as was often the case before Clooney’s marriage to Amal and children, he stayed at Clooney’s house.
According to Kind, the night unfolded with him waiting for a car to the airport, his suitcase ready at the base of the stairs. Clooney, apparently in the kitchen earlier, sat with him while they chatted. Kind remembered forgetting an item and briefly heading upstairs. By the time the driver arrived and loaded his bag, the pair had no idea what surprise was in store.
One night, years ago, I have to go to Vegas for some publicity. I don’t know when it was,
—Richard Kind, Actor
There’s a car coming to pick me up, and I used to stay at George’s house. It’s before [he married] Amal and before he had the kids.
—Richard Kind, Actor
I’m staying at his place and I have my suitcase downstairs, and waiting for the car to come. George, who had been in the kitchen or something like that, sits down at the foot of the stairs, and we’re just chatting. We’re gabbing. And I say, ‘Oh, I forgot something,’ and I go upstairs to get something. I come back downstairs, and then the car comes, and the guy who’s driving the car takes the bag, and he puts it into the trunk, and I get driven to Burbank Airport.
—Richard Kind, Actor
I go through the TSA line, and they pull me aside and they go, ‘Sir, could you come here, please?’
—Richard Kind, Actor
an Oscar and a SAG award that George put in my suitcase as I was waiting to go, and [now] I have to schlep.
—Richard Kind, Actor
the SAG award is very heavy. It’s about 12 pounds. An Oscar, I don’t know, but I [have to] schlep them to Vegas for the weekend.
—Richard Kind, Actor
When TSA agents inspected Kind’s luggage at Burbank Airport, they discovered a surprise: both an Oscar and a SAG Award, each strategically packed by Clooney. Clooney, who earned an Oscar either as Best Supporting Actor for Syriana or as producer for Argo, and four SAG Awards for his work on ER, saw his joke fully realized as Kind was forced to transport the heavy statues for his entire trip.
A History of Elaborate Practical Jokes
This was not a one-off prank between the friends. During the filming of Ocean’s Eleven at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Kind visited Clooney on set. The production attracted numerous stars including Julia Roberts and Matt Damon, and after a night of socializing, Kind ended up asleep on a rollaway cot. Clooney and the group later rolled Kind into the middle of the casino, leaving him there for late-night slot machine players to find to their confusion.
Arguably their most legendary prank began back when the two lived together. Clooney covertly cleaned the litter box of Kind’s cat for weeks, causing concern for Kind, who thought the animal was ill because there was never any solid waste to clean. Clooney maintained he had nothing to do with the missing contents, amplifying Kind’s worry. To carry the joke further, Clooney eventually contributed to the litter box himself, finally cluing Kind in on the secret prank.
The Enduring Legacy of Clooney and Kind’s Friendship
The stories shared between Richard Kind and George Clooney shed light on decades of creative, if sometimes elaborate, pranks that have become a central part of their friendship. These anecdotes, recounted and expanded in interviews like Kind’s with Steve Kmetko, have become part of entertainment history, illustrating the enduring connection between major Hollywood figures.
As stories like the Oscar and SAG Award incident make the rounds, future listeners and fans are likely to look for more glimpses into the close-knit world shared by Hollywood’s stars, including the likes of Julia Roberts and Matt Damon, amplifying the legend of George Clooney’s pranks on Richard Kind.
