George Clooney has come to the defense of his fellow actors in response to Quentin Tarantino’s controversial criticism of them. Tarantino, known for his candid opinions, recently drew backlash for making disparaging remarks about actors such as Paul Dano, Owen Wilson, and Matthew Lillard during his appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.
Clooney, who received the Best Actor award at the Movies for Grownups AARP Awards for his Netflix film “Jay Kelly,” expressed his support for actors during his acceptance speech. He stated, “I have a great affinity for actors, and I don’t enjoy watching people be cruel to actors.” He emphasized the growing culture of negativity, saying, “We live in a time of cruelty, we don’t need to be adding to it.”
Tarantino’s comments have stirred controversy, particularly his harsh assessment of Dano’s performance in “There Will Be Blood,” which he deemed “weak sauce.” He went so far as to call Dano “the weak sister,” and further criticized Wilson by saying he “can’t stand” him. Lillard was also on the receiving end of the filmmaker’s scorn, as Tarantino stated he does not have any respect for Lillard’s work.
Clooney’s remarks not only highlight the supportive bond among actors but also underscore the importance of kindness in the industry. He poignantly noted, “Thank you for this. It’s going to be a long, tough couple of years, but we’ll all get through it together.” Through his position, Clooney champions a more constructive atmosphere for artists, advocating for support rather than condemnation amid ongoing challenges in the film industry.