George Clooney recently opened up about being envious of Brad Pitt‘s casting as J.D. in the film Thelma & Louise, a role Clooney was seriously considered for in the early 1990s. The actor known for his later work as Jay Kelly revealed that losing the part was a difficult moment in his career, especially since it became a pivotal step for Pitt, who transitioned from television to movie stardom with that performance, introducing the now-iconic Brad Pitt Thelma Louise role to audiences worldwide.
How Pitt’s Casting Altered Both Actors’ Careers
Clooney, 64, discussed his disappointment in an interview published by the Sunday Times, recalling the moment he learned he had not landed the role of the young drifter that ultimately went to Pitt. After a final audition, Clooney watched his friend’s career take off with the part, while he remained on television in shows such as ER, Baby Talk, and Bodies of Evidence during the early years of the decade. Clooney expressed that missing out on J.D. kept him from watching Thelma & Louise for several years, signaling the emotional impact of the casting decision on his early film aspirations.
“I got to the final test for a role in Thelma & Louise. And, motherf—ker, Brad got it,”
Clooney shared, reflecting on the early days of competing for major film opportunities.
“I didn’t watch Thelma & Louise for years, because I was annoyed. The part launched his career in film. He was doing sitcoms and crap before, so when it was the thing that could’ve launched me? F—k!”
— Clooney, Actor
Clooney later acknowledged that Pitt’s performance justified the casting decision, despite his initial frustration. The dynamic between Clooney and Pitt, highlighted through their friendship and work together on the Ocean’s Eleven franchise, remains a source of lighthearted teasing. Pitt, aware of the significance of the J.D. character for both, has jokingly reminded Clooney about how the role shaped his rise in Hollywood.
Insights from Geena Davis on Clooney and Pitt’s Friendly Rivalry
The tension over the Brad Pitt Thelma Louise role has been noted by more than just the two actors themselves. Geena Davis, who starred as Thelma, recalled a candid discussion with Clooney years later. During a flight together, Clooney openly expressed his feelings about losing the part, underlining the deep impact it had on him at the time and the playful rivalry that developed between the two stars.
“I was on a plane next to George Clooney by happenstance. We’re chatting, and he says, ‘You know, I hate that Brad Pitt.’”
— Davis, Actress
“And I said, ‘No, you don’t, he’s your friend.’ And he said, ‘No, I hate him because he got that part in Thelma & Louise.’ And I said, ‘Oh, were you interested in that part?’ He said, ‘Oh, couldn’t you tell when I read with you?’ And I said, ‘Oh.’”
— Davis, Actress
Decades On, the Role’s Impact Still Resonates
Looking back, Clooney admitted that while missing out on the role was personally disappointing,
“Of course, when I saw it, I was, like, well, it had to be that guy.”
His acceptance underscores how transformative the J.D. role was for Brad Pitt in both the trajectory of his career and in the broader context of 1990s Hollywood, cementing a legacy still discussed among actors and fans today. The story of this near-miss continues to highlight the unpredictable twists of show business and the lasting bonds between its brightest personalities.
