![George Clooney: The Hollywood Star Who Gave $14 Million to 14 Friends—A Man of Loyalty and Guts [Men's Profiles]](https://otokomaeken.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/7966bae78213db11914ad7af893f8431-1-750x396.png)
Los Angeles, 2013. There was a man who loaded $14 million in cash into a worn-out florist’s van and drove through the city. George Clooney.He is the Hollywood star who played a dashing thief in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. Of course, this wasn’t a movie shoot. He was doing it to give $1 million each to 14 friends who had supported him for many years.It was a truly spectacular way to show his gratitude, but this man’s charm cannot be summed up by his generosity alone. When he was still unknown, he stood up to the tyranny of a powerful producer; after becoming a star, he laughed off his failures and even put his home on the line to finance a movie. He is one of Hollywood’s most handsome leading men. His way of life is just as dashing as his good looks.
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On a Film Set Where Crew Members Were Yelled AtAn Unknown Actor Stood Up to a Big-Name Producer
At age 20, Clooney climbed into a rusty 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and set off from his hometown in Kentucky for Los Angeles. He was heading there to become an actor. The idea came from his cousin, Miguel Ferrer.The car had a severe oil leak and wouldn’t restart once the engine was turned off. He loaded a whole box of engine oil into the back seat and drove all the way to the West Coast—a journey that took about 40 hours. [1][2] His life in Hollywood after arriving there was quite wild as well.He crashed at a friend’s apartment and reportedly spent about two and a half years sleeping on the floor of a closet. While his classmates at acting school were landing jobs one after another, Clooney struggled to get a break. Still, he kept auditioning and gradually increased his appearances in television dramas. [2]
1979–1988
Shown from left: George Clooney, Nancy McKeon
After about ten years of this grind, an incident occurred on a film set.A high-profile executive producer on the show was yelling at everyone around him. At the time, Clooney was ranked third or fourth among the cast. He was in a position where he could easily lose his job if he upset the producer. However, he couldn’t just stand by and watch it happen. “Cut it out.”Even when the producer confronted him, asking, “What did you just say?” Clooney didn’t back down an inch, replying, “I’m telling you to stop!” After that, he ended up leaving the show. Even he isn’t entirely sure whether he quit on his own or was fired.Furthermore, that producer publicly stated in an interview that Clooney would likely never find work in Hollywood again. Even Clooney, for all his mettle, thought his acting career was over. He reportedly even considered returning to his hometown to sell insurance. [1][3] However, an unexpected turn of events awaited him. After reading that interview, another production executive reached out with an invitation to audition. As it turned out, this was someone Clooney had once helped out. The executive cast Clooney in the pilot episode of a new TV drama, giving him a chance to stay in Hollywood.Moreover, when Clooney asked why he had been cast, the producer replied, “I hate that producer.” [1][3]
A Bitter Experience from Playing BatmanThe Man Who Displayed Photos of a Major Box Office Flop in His Office
Clooney rose to fame as a popular actor on the TV series *ER*, which premiered in 1994.
In 1997, he was cast in the lead role of *Batman & Robin: Mr. Freeze’s Revenge*.He was reportedly overjoyed to accept the offer, as it meant he would get to play one of Hollywood’s most iconic heroes. However, the film was met with a storm of negative reviews upon its release. Even the Batsuit—which featured sculpted nipples—became a laughingstock, and what was supposed to be a spectacular starring role ended up being a stain on his career. [4][5]
However, Clooney did not blame the director or the screenwriters for this failure. Up until then, he had focused solely on how to portray the roles he was given.But when a movie is panned, the lead actor also bears responsibility for the film as a whole. Realizing this keenly, Clooney fundamentally changed the way he chose his roles. Above all, he began to prioritize the quality of the screenplay. *Out of Sight*, in which he starred the following year in 1998, marked that turning point.However, things didn’t go smoothly here either. The director originally slated for the project withdrew from the project as soon as he learned Clooney would be starring, stating, “I don’t want to work with a TV actor.” That’s when director Steven Soderbergh was chosen for the job. Although the film didn’t perform well at the box office, it earned high praise from critics.
Clooney himself looks back on this film as the one that paved the way for his career as a film actor.He went on to star in other critically acclaimed films such as *Three Kings* and *O Brother, Where Art Thou?*, solidifying his status as an actor. [4] That said, he hasn’t forgotten his failure with *Batman*. At New York Comic Con in 2014, he even apologized to the audience for the fact that the Batman suit had nipples. He turned his own failure into a joke and had the crowd in stitches. [6] Even more surprising is the story that Clooney displayed a photo of himself as Batman in a prominent spot in his office. He did this so he would never forget what happens when you choose a movie based solely on commercial considerations. [7]
His father, a news anchor who quit his job rather than compromise his journalistic principlesThe movie he made by mortgaging his own home was a love letter to his father
Clooney established his status as a movie star with hits like *Ocean’s Eleven*.
GEORGE CLOONEY
2002
OCEAN’S 11 (2002) OCEAN’S ELEVEN (ALT) DON CHEADLE, SHAOBO QIN, GEORGE CLOONEY, CASEY AFFLECK OC11 004 MOVIESTORE COLLECTION LTD
JULIA ROBERTS, GEORGE CLOONEY
2002
OCEAN’S 11 (2002) OCEAN’S ELEVEN (ALT)
In 2005, he invested his own money to produce ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’.Set in 1950s America, the film depicts the true story of journalist Edward R. Murrow and his colleagues, who used television broadcasts to challenge Senator Joseph McCarthy, who had been conducting high-handed investigations under the pretext of rooting out communists.Behind Clooney’s strong fascination with this subject was the influence of his father, Nick. His father, a news anchor, taught his young son to “stand up to those more powerful than yourself and stand up for the underdog.” Moreover, his father himself had once refused to compromise his journalistic principles and had resigned from his job as a result. [4][8] Clooney, too, had doubts about American media coverage of the 2003 Iraq War and decided to use the film to reexamine the role of journalism in holding those in power accountable. [4] However, there was a major hurdle to production. It was a historical drama set in the 1950s. And with the entire film in black and white, there were significant concerns about its box office potential.At the time, selling broadcast rights to cable TV networks was a major source of revenue for films, but black-and-white films tended to be shunned, and he reportedly struggled to raise funds. Even so, Clooney did not give up. He put his home up as collateral to help secure funding, accepted a co-writing fee of just $1, and waived his director’s and acting fees to support the production. [8][9]
Years later, when asked about his state of mind at the time he put his home up as collateral, Clooney revealed that he figured if the project failed, he could simply earn the money back through his acting work.What a bold move. What’s even more interesting is that, even though he was directing the film himself, he entrusted the lead role of Marlow to another actor. He had initially intended to play the part himself, but after seeing footage of the real Marlow, he changed his mind.“I couldn’t have conveyed that kind of commanding presence back then,” he concluded, and cast David Strathairn in the lead role.
Clooney himself took on the role of Fred Friendly, the producer who supported Marlow. [8] The resulting film was highly acclaimed and received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. [10] Clooney has called this film a “love letter to his father”—a man who valued journalistic integrity and stood by his convictions, even at the cost of losing his job.Clooney expressed his respect for his father’s way of life through this film. [8] Then, in 2025, this story took an unexpected turn. At the age of 63, Clooney made his Broadway debut in a stage adaptation of the film.What’s more, the role he played this time was that of Marlow—the part he had passed on to another actor 20 years earlier. His stage performance was highly acclaimed, and he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play. [11] Twenty years after deciding the role didn’t suit him, he took it on with confidence.
A Generous Gesture of Gratitude to 'The Boys' Who Supported Him During His Struggling DaysNo Reason to Wait Until I Die. He Handed Out $14 Million to 14 People
Clooney has 14 friends who have been by his side since his struggling days.They are a close-knit group of friends known as “The Boys.” They are the people who have supported him over the years—those who let him crash on their couches, those who lent him money, and those who lent a helping hand when he was in trouble. One of them is businessman Rande Gerber.Even after Clooney became a Hollywood star, the two continued to deepen their friendship.
On September 27, 2013, Clooney invited those 14 friends to a dinner party at his home. At the time, he was 52 years old and single, and it occurred to him: If he were to be hit by a bus and die tomorrow, his estate would go to his friends according to his will.“Then,” he thought, “why wait until I die?” That’s when he came up with a plan to give each of the 14 friends $1 million in cash—a total of $14 million. [12] Of course, even for a Hollywood star, coming up with such a large sum of cash isn’t easy.After doing some research, Clooney discovered a facility in downtown Los Angeles that stored large amounts of cash. He prepared a worn-out van with “Florist” written on the side. It sounds just like a scene from *Ocean’s 11*, but of course, he wasn’t planning a robbery.They drove the van down in an elevator to the underground vault and loaded it with $14 million. The only people who knew about the plan were his assistant and a few security guards. The security guards were reportedly on edge the whole time. The cash they brought back was packed into 14 TUMI bags, each containing $1 million. [12] Then came the day of the dinner party. A black bag was placed at each of his friends’ seats. Clooney unfolded a world map and, as he reflected on the countries he had visited and the experiences he had had, expressed his gratitude to his friends.He said that he was who he was today thanks to all of them. Then, he urged them to open their bags. Inside were $1 million worth of $20 bills. All 14 guests were reportedly speechless at the sheer magnitude of the gesture. [12][13] Moreover, Clooney’s generosity wasn’t limited to the amount of money. At the time, some of his friends were struggling to make ends meet. He told them they would no longer have to worry about their children’s tuition or their mortgages, and even covered their tax liabilities.Gerber, who was already a successful businessman, tried to decline the gift. But Clooney replied, “If Randy won’t take it, I won’t give it to anyone.” In the end, Gerber accepted it and donated the entire amount to charity. According to Gerber himself, that’s just the kind of man Clooney is. [13] And there’s another follow-up to this story. A few years later, at a hotel in Las Vegas, Clooney met a man who was far wealthier than he was. Upon learning about the $14 million gift, the man asked in puzzlement, “Why did you do that?” Clooney replied: [12]
“On the contrary, why wouldn’t you?”
A Book to Get to Know This Man Better, (1)‘George Clooney’
A book by film critic Jeremy Smith that analyzes Clooney’s career through the lens of his 10 most iconic roles.Featuring approximately 300 film stills and behind-the-scenes photos, it traces his journey from television actor to movie star, and further into his roles as a director and producer. A must-have for fans, this book lets you enjoy Clooney’s charm through a wealth of visuals. Available in English only.
View ‘George Clooney’ on Amazon
*Good Night, and Good Luck*
A Japanese paperback novel by Ryo Toh, adapted from the film of the same name that Clooney directed and co-wrote. Set in 1950s America.It depicts journalists who refuse to bow to authority and strive to uphold the mission of journalism amid the rampant McCarthyism of the era. This book allows readers to fully savor the story behind a subject that Clooney was so committed to bringing to the screen that he even put his own home up as collateral.
View *Good Night, and Good Luck* on Amazon
References
[1] Los Angeles Times, “George Clooney on marriage to Amal, fame, and his biggest risks” (January 8, 2026)
[2] NPR Fresh Air, “George Clooney’s kids don’t care about his success (and that’s a good thing)” (December 4, 2025)
[3] W Magazine, “George Clooney Knows You Think Jay Kelly Is About Him” (January 6, 2026)
[4] BAFTA, “A Life in Pictures: George Clooney” (January 14, 2021)
[5] The Washington Post, “George Clooney Uses His Star Power to Keep Part of Old Hollywood Alive” (February 6, 2014)
[6] Sky News, “George Clooney Apologizes for Batman Movie” (October 10, 2014)
[7] Gizmodo, “George Clooney hangs a photo of himself as Batman, as a warning” (September 3, 2013)
[8] Los Angeles Times, “At this point he gets to act as provocateur” (September 18, 2005)
[9] CNN, “Reliable Sources: Interview With George Clooney” (October 9, 2005)
[10] Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, “The 78th Academy Awards” (2006)
[11] The Tony Awards, “Good Night, and Good Luck” (2025)
[12] GQ “George Clooney When We Need Him Most” (November 17, 2020, interview with Clooney)
[13] TheWrap “George Clooney Gave 14 Friends $1 Million Each, Rande Gerber Says” (December 13, 2017)
[14] Phaidon “George Clooney” Book Description
[15] Kinokuniya Bookstore “Good Night, and Good Luck” Bibliographic Information
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