George Clooney has made it clear that leaving his acting career behind is not on his agenda, sharing his perspective on retirement plans during a recent interview with USA Today. The acclaimed actor, now 64, explained why the prospect of stepping away from the industry does not appeal to him, expressing both his passion for the craft and the personal inspiration he draws from his family.
Why Clooney Has No Plans to Leave Acting
Addressing the idea of retirement, George Clooney emphasized the vital role that work plays in personal fulfillment and society, stating,
“You lose your place in society.”
— George Clooney, Actor. For Clooney, the evolving opportunities in acting make it possible for him to stay involved, regardless of his age. He joked about embracing roles that suit his stage in life, saying,
“There’s going to be parts for ‘Grandpa gums bread’ and I’ll be the perfect guy for it,”
— George Clooney, Actor. Clooney continued,
“That’s a good thing about the profession that I’ve chosen.”
— George Clooney, Actor. These comments reveal his light-hearted but genuine appreciation for the longevity of a career in acting.
Influence From Family and Staying Creative
Clooney openly credits his father, Nick Clooney, for shaping his dedication to keeping active and pursuing creative passions.
“My dad’s [almost] 92 and he still writes. It’s important to stay active,”
— George Clooney, Actor. He compared writing and acting as fields that allow ongoing engagement, noting,
“I mean, you’re a writer. I can’t imagine you saying, ‘Well, now that I’m 70, maybe I shouldn’t write anymore.’ I do feel like because it’s creative, you can stay involved and do what you want to do.”
— George Clooney, Actor.
Reflections on Aging and Prioritizing Family
Despite his enthusiasm for work, Clooney acknowledges the realities of aging.
“When I turned 60, I had a conversation with my wife [Amal]. I said, ‘Look, I can still play basketball with the boys. I play with 25-year-old guys. I can still hang, I’m in shape. But in 25 years, I’m 85 years old,’”
— George Clooney, Actor. He added with a dose of perspective,
“It doesn’t matter how many granola bars you eat, that’s a real number.”
— George Clooney, Actor. Alongside Amal Clooney and their 8-year-old twins Ella and Alexander, Clooney said his focus is increasingly on family time.
He highlighted the importance of balancing ambition with personal connections:
“We also have to make sure we are spending time doing things with our family, with the people we love more,”
— George Clooney, Actor. Navigating the balance with his career and parenthood, he explained,
“Because Amal and I both tend to focus on trying to accomplish things. We’ve gotten much better at spending time with our kids. Listen, nobody gets it right. I don’t get it right. You probably don’t get it right. But we do the best we can.”
— George Clooney, Actor.
The Enduring Appeal of George Clooney
George Clooney’s outlook on his career reflects a deep commitment not only to acting, but also to remaining engaged with life, creativity, and those closest to him. While he continues to take on new projects and spend time with his loved ones, fans and film enthusiasts can expect Clooney to remain a fixture in the industry for years to come. As he balances work with family, his approach showcases a passionate drive for both professional and personal fulfillment.
