George Clooney Opens Up About Losing a Career-Defining Role to Brad Pitt: 'Motherf---er!'
George Clooney has never forgotten the time he lost a role in the iconic film Thelma & Louise to Brad Pitt — a moment that still sticks with him decades later.
"I made it to the final audition for a role in Thelma & Louise. And, motherf—er, Brad got it," Clooney, 64, revealed about his Ocean's Eleven co-star, 61, in a recent interview with The Times UK.
Pitt famously played J.D., the charming drifter who captures Thelma's (Geena Davis) heart while she navigates her rocky marriage with Darryl (Christopher McDonald) in the 1991 classic. This role catapulted Pitt from relative obscurity into a household name, while Clooney's breakthrough came a few years later when he joined the cast of the hit TV series ER.
But Clooney admitted that he struggled to shake off the frustration of being passed over.
"I didn’t watch Thelma & Louise for years because I was annoyed," he confessed. "The part essentially launched his movie career. Before that, he was doing sitcoms and random small projects. And then this role, the one that could have been my big break? F–k!!"
Clooney also revealed that his co-star from The Perfect Storm, Pitt, still enjoys poking fun at him over the role.
"Oh yeah, he gives me s–t," Clooney said. "Of course, when I actually saw the film, I had to admit, well, it probably had to be him."
Adam Sandler, who joined Clooney in the interview to promote their new film Jay Kelly, recalled the scene that made audiences swoon.
"I saw Brad in that scene where he’s shirtless in the hotel room, and people went absolutely wild," Sandler, 59, said. "But honestly, it should have been you, Clooney."
Geena Davis, now 69, also shared her perspective on Pitt landing the part during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show in 2022.
"Once I was cast, there were four finalists for that role," Davis said. "They asked me to read with each one so they could see the chemistry. Each guy was very handsome, talented, and had brown hair. Frankly, I didn't have a preference."
"Then the fourth guy walked in — Brad Pitt," she continued. "His charisma and talent were so magnetic that I completely forgot my lines during his audition. I remember thinking, 'Wow, he’s really incredible.'"
Davis added that she recommended to the producers that they go with "the blonde one," and naturally, Pitt was chosen. She also confirmed that the other actors vying for the role of J.D. included Grant Show, Mark Ruffalo, and Clooney himself. Clooney later admitted to Davis on a plane that he "hated" Pitt at the time for snagging the part.
But here’s the part most people miss: while losing the role stung, it arguably set both Clooney and Pitt on paths that would define their careers, showing that sometimes setbacks can lead to even greater opportunities. So, what do you think — did Clooney really miss his shot, or was it fate steering both stars toward legendary careers? Share your thoughts below and join the debate!
