At the 83rd Venice Film Festival, held on 2nd September 2026, Laura Dern took centre stage to honour George Clooney with the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Her heartfelt tribute celebrated not just Clooney’s remarkable contributions to cinema, but also their deep personal bond forged over decades in the film industry.
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During her speech, Dern, who is 59 years old, praised Clooney, 65, for embodying “the deepest kind of humanity and integrity.” She described him as a man dedicated to serving truth through storytelling that both entertains and inspires audiences. “He moves us to be better, to long for goodness in ourselves and in each other,” Dern articulated, emphasising Clooney’s commitment to protecting freedoms and holding others accountable through his work.
Clooney’s considerable influence in Hollywood was underscored by Dern’s remarks on his extensive career. Enumerating his roles as actor, writer, filmmaker, producer, and activist, she affectionately noted that amidst these achievements, he also remains “the best friend you could ever have and the funniest person you will ever meet.” Her tribute even included a light-hearted nod to Clooney’s status as two-time recipient of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive title, further highlighting his enduring charm and charisma.
In her comparisons, Dern drew parallels between Clooney and the legendary Hollywood actor Gregory Peck, renowned for his roles in classic films like *To Kill a Mockingbird*. She reminisced about her own privilege of knowing Peck and reflected, “My generation got [a] Renaissance man in George; we got the iconography, we got the humanity and we got the greatness in the artist.”
Their professional journey began back in 1983 with Clooney’s debut film, *Grizzly II: Revenge*, and has continued, with the two recently co-starring in *Jay Kelly*, a drama directed by Noah Baumbach. Dern described their working relationship, saying, “You become a better actor in his presence.” She elaborated on the transformative experience of acting alongside Clooney, noting how he immerses himself wholly into his character at the call of ‘action’, which in turn elevates the performance of those around him.
“He is a lifeline to pure truth,” she noted, reflecting on his dedication to every aspect of filmmaking. Clooney’s attentiveness extends beyond his own performance, as he supports his fellow actors on set. Dern remarked upon the palpable sense of camaraderie, recalling how one can feel Clooney’s encouragement during scenes and between takes.
Throughout the evening, Clooney and Dern appeared to be in high spirits, with Dern donning a striking pink silk dress paired with black heels and eye-catching silver and pink jewellery. Clooney opted for a classic black tuxedo, complete with a white shirt and black bow tie—timeless attire befitting the prestigious occasion.
The two actors previously attended the Venice Film Festival the year prior for the premiere of *Jay Kelly*, in which Clooney portrayed a fictional actor reflecting on his life during a trip across Europe. This year’s festival is set to run until 12th September, showcasing a diverse array of films and talents.
In a prior interview with Netflix, Dern characterised her relationship with Clooney as one of profound friendship. “We’re real, true, deep friends,” she declared, speaking fondly about their collaboration alongside Adam Sandler in *Jay Kelly*, labelling the experience as “the time of my life.” She expressed optimism about their future projects together, indicating that the connections formed on set would ensure they continue to work together for years to come.
The evening at the Venice Film Festival may have celebrated Clooney’s achievements, but it also served to highlight the warmth of friendship between the two actors, a reminder of the communal spirit that often lies at the heart of the film industry.