George Clooney has revealed that he deliberately chose to raise his children in a place far away from Hollywood to shield them from the influence of fame and the cultural pressures that come with it.
In a recent interview with Esquire magazine, the Oscar-winning actor shared that he and his wife, international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, primarily raise their 8-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, on a farm in France.
“I spent quite a bit of time on a farm during my upbringing, and I hated it at the time as a kid. But now, for them, this kind of life is good— they are not constantly glued to tablets. They eat dinner with adults and even have to set the table themselves. Their life is much better,” Clooney said.
The 64-year-old actor, director, and producer expressed concern about the potential impact of raising children in the fast-paced environment of Hollywood, despite his own comfort in that world.
“I’m not comfortable raising kids in Los Angeles, in that kind of a culture. I don’t think they’ll ever get a ‘fair shake’ living in that world. In France, people basically don’t care about fame. I don’t want them walking down the street worrying about paparazzi, or to be compared to other people’s kids,” he explained.
Clooney, known for his role in the medical drama ER, which catapulted him to fame, and becoming one of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood, stated that living abroad has provided his family with a more grounded environment.
He and his wife tied the knot in 2014 and currently own properties in the UK, Italy, and his native Kentucky. While primarily residing in Europe, earlier this year, Clooney briefly relocated with his family to New York City to star in the Broadway adaptation of his 2005 film, Good Night, and Good Luck.
During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in February, he mentioned that the move brought a refreshing change in their daily routine. Speaking about his family, he said, “They really enjoy it here. The acting schedule actually works out kinda well because you work at night, and then you have the day with the kids.”
Amal Clooney has also addressed the challenges of protecting their family’s privacy. In an interview with Glamour magazine in July, she stated, “Being parents means that you are more concerned about external disturbances. So, we try to minimize the impact on our children. We won’t expose them, and we have never shared their photos or any other information.”
George Clooney’s decision to prioritize his children’s upbringing in a secluded environment highlights his dedication to providing them with a balanced and protected childhood away from the glare of Hollywood’s spotlight.