George Clooney is reflecting on the valuable early lessons he learned about fame and friendship from his aunt, the legendary singer Rosemary Clooney, and her famous circle. The actor recently shared stories from his time working as her driver, an experience that gave him a unique perspective on handling success.
A Hollywood Education on the Road
Before he became a Hollywood star, George Clooney moved from Kentucky to California to pursue acting. He reconnected with his aunt, Rosemary Clooney, the famous singer known for songs like “Come On-a My House” and the classic film “White Christmas.” During this time, he worked as her personal driver.
Clooney explained that he hadn’t known his aunt well growing up because he lived across the country. He described her as “the Hollywood aunt.” To make a living while starting his career, he became her driver for a year, chauffeuring her and her fellow performers.
“I got to drive [her] and Tony Bennett, and all of these really wonderful singers around for a year,” Clooney recalled. He said the job gave him a front-row seat to the realities of a life in the spotlight. “I got a really good life lesson in success and failure, and handling it. And I always remember that I felt very lucky that I got that lesson early in time.”
An Unforgettable Call from Frank Sinatra
One of the most memorable moments from that period involved a unexpected phone call from the iconic Frank Sinatra. Clooney shared that Sinatra once called him to express his annoyance.
The issue began when Clooney helped lead a boycott related to press freedoms. The situation resulted in news helicopters circling Sinatra’s home because of rumors about his health. An unamused Sinatra personally called the young Clooney.
“I remember he was mad at me once because I led this boycott about some press freedoms, and he called me because people thought he was sick and there were helicopters flying over his [home], and he called me going, ‘It’s not working what you’re doing!’” Clooney laughed. “But he was great. I got yelled at by Frank Sinatra!”
Clooney now looks back on being scolded by the music legend as a humorous badge of honor from his early days in Hollywood.
Lasting Bonds from Humble Beginnings
The Ocean’s 11 star also spoke about the importance of the friendships he formed before his fame. He emphasized how crucial it has been to stay close to the people who knew him before he was a famous actor.
“Well, I mean, most of my friends we’ve been friends for 40 years. I slept on their couch when I was broke. And so they’re always around when things and people are giving you too much credit. They’re the first people to remind you that they’re full of crap. That’s always helpful. It’s helpful to have people that know you long before you were defined by something else, by movies you’ve done or work you’ve done and that kind of thing.”
These long-standing relationships have been a key factor in helping him stay grounded throughout his decades-long career in the public eye.
Carrying the Lessons Forward
The wisdom Clooney gained from his aunt Rosemary extended beyond his early driving days. He has often credited her with teaching him how to navigate the highs and lows of celebrity. After her death in 2002, he has continued to honor her memory, including using her song “Why Shouldn’t I?” in his marriage proposal to his wife, Amal.
His time with Rosemary and her friends provided a masterclass in resilience. He once explained that watching her career showed him “how big you can get and how quickly it can be taken away,” a lesson in the fickle nature of fame that has stayed with him.
