Celebs like to do things their way. Even if a huge offer is extended, this doesn't mean the artist will agree. Let's take Keanu Reeves as an example, Speed played a major role in changing his career, yet he stuck to his instincts and turned down the sequel despite a $12 million pay, for the simple fact that he didn't like the script. George Clooney also does as he pleases. That was evident during his E.R. exit and when he decided to turn down a certain commercial for moral issues. Let's take a look at how it all went down.
George Clooney Had A Different Take On Why He Got Successful
For George Clooney, he had a different take on his success and tremendous wealth in Hollywood. According to Clooney, not appearing in a massive blockbuster aided immensely in not getting typecast. This allowed the actor to take on many different roles, without a sort of label attached. He explained alongside Deadline.
“I was lucky in a weird way that as an actor I never got massively successful in anything, you know, in a funny way. I never was—I did an action film like Peacemaker and it wasn’t a hit, if it had been Die Hard, which it wasn’t, then that’s who I would have been. I would have been the action guy."
"I did One Fine Day, if I’d done romantic comedies and any were a massive hit, I would have been the romantic comedy guy, and then I couldn’t have done drama and the other way I couldn’t have done comedy. Because they weren’t, and if you go through my career a lot of the things weren’t home runs at all, it’s allowed me to do and try other things. I’m allowed to do a comedy or a drama, so I can do something as whacky as O Brother Where Art Thou and something as straight as Michael Clayton.”
Clooney would further admit that the script is also a huge key. He learned this the hard way during Batman & Robin, although he was eager for the job, he revealed that a bad script isn't something any actor can overcome.
Clearly, Clooney is doing lots of things right, and that might include turning down millions for an easy pay.
George Clooney Walked Away From A $35 Million Airline Commercial
He called the gig a moral conflict. In truth, for such a sum of money, we're pretty sure several celebs would look past this... Clooney got an offer from a certain airline for a one day shoot - ultimately, the actor said no to $35 million due to the fact that it just didn't feel right.
"I was offered $35 million for one day’s work for an airline commercial, but I talked to Amal [Clooney, the human rights lawyer he married in 2014] about it and we decided it’s not worth it,” Clooney said. “It was [associated with] a country that, although it’s an ally, is questionable at times, and so I thought: ‘Well, if it takes a minute’s sleep away from me, it’s not worth it."
Sure, some might be pulling their hair out at such a decline, however, it is that much more understandable given that Clooney is now in his 60s and worth $500 million. In truth, the actor has earned the right to do whatever the heck he wants without having to move a finger for the rest of his life.
George Clooney Prefers To Work Behind The Camera These Days
At the age of 61, Clooney doesn't have to worry about money or increasing his fame. If he is to work, it has to be something of personal interest. Acting gigs haven't been cutting it, therefore the celeb has opted to continue behind the camera instead.
“In general, there just aren’t that many great parts — and, look, I don’t have to act. My wife and I had this conversation when I turned 60 this summer. I said, ‘I can still bounce around pretty good, and we both love what we do. But we gotta make sure we don’t book ourselves silly.’ So, part of it is just us making sure we live our lives,” he said.
As long as he loves what he is doing, that is truly all the matters.
