George Clooney Surprises Fans by Speaking French at 2026 Golden Globes After Trump Mentions His French Citizenship
At the 2026 Golden Globe Awards on January 11, George Clooney gave the crowd a surprise by speaking French onstage. The actor and filmmaker, 64, who recently became a French citizen along with his wife Amal and their children Alexander and Ella, greeted the audience in his new language before presenting an award.
“Bonsoir, mes amis,” Clooney said, wishing everyone a good evening. He added, “C’est un honneur d’être ici,” meaning, “It’s an honor to be here.”
George Clooney presents the last award of the night for Best Picture – Drama 🏆 … supported from afar by Don Cheadle #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/GH96zvg9jC
— Golden Globes (@goldenglobes) January 12, 2026
Joining him was longtime co-star Don Cheadle, who playfully joined in the French greeting with a “bonsoir” while teasing Clooney about losing the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy award to Timothée Chalamet.
Clooney responded, “We’re all winners here,” to which Cheadle jokingly replied, “Not really — you aren’t.” The pair later presented the award for Best Motion Picture – Drama, which went to Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet.
The Clooney family was granted French citizenship in a decree reported by the French newspaper Journal officiel and confirmed by PEOPLE. The announcement sparked public reactions, including a post from President Donald Trump on December 31, who criticized the move on Truth Social. Clooney responded in early January, referencing upcoming elections and jokingly agreeing with the president, showing his usual humor and poise.
The French government welcomed the Clooneys, with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs stating, “We are delighted, like many French people, to welcome George and Amal Clooney into the national community.” Clooney and his family have lived in France since buying a farm in 2021. In a 2025 interview with Esquire, Clooney spoke about adjusting to life on a farm, saying that his children benefit from a simpler lifestyle away from screens, eating with adults, and helping with chores.
Clooney’s brief use of French onstage delighted the crowd and highlighted his embrace of his new nationality. Amal Clooney and their children were in attendance at the Beverly Hilton, joining the actor for the star-studded event. The lighthearted moment with Cheadle also gave fans a nostalgic reunion for the Ocean’s Eleven duo, blending humor and a personal touch into the awards show presentation.
Clooney has balanced his Hollywood career with his family life in France, showing that he can now navigate both the spotlight and a new language with charm. His French greeting may have been brief, but it symbolized a major milestone for the actor and his family.
It’s fun to see celebrities embracing new cultures and languages publicly. It’s refreshing when they use big moments like the Golden Globes to share personal milestones. What do you think about Clooney speaking French onstage and the reactions it got? Share your thoughts in the comments.
