George Clooney Recalls the Time Frank Sinatra Yelled at Him

George Clooney recently shared a surprising story from his early days in Hollywood, revealing a moment when the legendary Frank Sinatra lost his cool with him.

Speaking to People during the Los Angeles premiere of his new movie Jay Kelly on October 23, Clooney looked back on his time working alongside music icons like Sinatra and Tony Bennett while trying to make a start in the industry.

“I remember being on the road […] I was my Aunt Rosemary’s driver when she was singing,” Clooney said. “And I hadn’t known her much when I was young because I lived in Kentucky. She was the Hollywood aunt. So I came out to make a living and I was her driver.”

During that period, Clooney had the rare chance to spend time with some of the greatest names in American music. “I got to drive [her] and Tony Bennett, and all of these really wonderful singers around for a year,” he recalled. “I got a really good life lesson in success and failure, and handling it.”

One of the most unexpected moments came when Sinatra called him over a press boycott Clooney had helped lead. “I remember he was mad at me once because I led this boycott about […] some press freedoms, and he called me because people thought he was sick and there were helicopters flying over his [home],” Clooney said. “And he called me going, ‘It’s not working what you’re doing!’”

Even after being scolded, Clooney said he looked back on the encounter fondly. “He was great,” Clooney said. “I got yelled at by Frank Sinatra!”

Clooney reflected on how these early experiences shaped his career and personal outlook. “Most of my friends, we’ve been friends for 40 years. I slept on their couch when I was broke. And they’re always around when people are giving you too much credit,” he explained. “They’re the first people to remind you that they’re full of c***.”