Renowned for his practical jokes, George Clooney orchestrated a memorable prank involving a presidential theme that took many in the entertainment world by surprise. Using his signature wit, Clooney impersonated a former U.S. President, crafting a scheme that left around 30 actors believing they had received praise from high office, highlighting the creativity behind the George Clooney presidential prank.
How Clooney Enlisted Presidential Stationery for His Scheme
The actor recounted this elaborate stunt during an appearance on the New Heights podcast, hosted by NBA brothers Travis and Jason Kelce. The episode revealed yet another layer to Clooney’s reputation as Hollywood’s resident mischief-maker.
Clooney explained that Jimmy Kimmel played an important role in the presidential hoax by providing him with stationery featuring the presidential seal and Bill Clinton’s name. Clooney then used the official-looking materials to send out handwritten notes.
Jimmy Kimmel gave me a stack of stationery with a presidential seal and Bill Clinton’s name on it,
George Clooney, Actor
And I would send notes to all these actors from Bill Clinton, I’d sign it — and I’d find a movie that wasn’t a great film and ‘I’d write, ‘I loved you in this film.’
George Clooney, Actor
Targeting lesser-known or less celebrated works from his fellow actors, Clooney’s notes convincingly pretended to be compliments from Clinton himself. Recipients of these notes reportedly included some of Hollywood’s biggest names, such as Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. The ruse added a unique twist to his reputation for lighthearted pranks among friends and co-stars.
Other Memorable Pranks from Clooney’s Repertoire
Clooney’s appearance on the podcast also featured details about another prank where he impersonated Brad Pitt. The stunt was aimed at Meryl Streep, an Oscar-winning actress. Clooney signed Streep up for a playful joke by sending her resources for learning accents, with a note attributed to Brad Pitt.
‘Dear Meryl, from Brad. This guy helped me in my accent in the movie “Troy
George Clooney, Actor
According to Clooney, the playful note was followed by a book of accents, adding to the mischief. His use of co-stars and industry networks has been a hallmark of his prankster persona, often catching recipients off guard and generating stories that linger within Hollywood’s inner circle.
A Legacy of Joking Among Friends in Hollywood
While the involvement of a former American President made this particular prank stand out, Clooney’s history includes many instances where he has roped in colleagues or impersonated friends for laughs. Even at 64, Clooney hints that his inclination for creative trickery remains intact, and he may still have a few clever surprises to share with friends.
This incident illustrates how close-knit and playful the Hollywood community can be, especially among well-known names like Clooney, Pitt, Tom Cruise, Jimmy Kimmel, and Meryl Streep. As these stories come to light in interviews and podcasts, they add yet another chapter to the ongoing tales of camaraderie and humor in the entertainment industry.
