Even Hollywood icons like George Clooney aren't immune to letting their hair down – and the reason behind his epic post-awards bender might just blow your mind!
George Clooney, the epitome of suave sophistication and a devoted family man with two kids, isn't always the picture of restraint. In a candid chat with Esquire, the star opened up about how, after coming up short in the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play category at the 2025 Tony Awards in June, he indulged in a rare night of heavy drinking that left him barely able to stand. 'I got absolutely hammered. So drunk I could hardly walk, you know? I stumbled home with my wife Amal, and all I could do was laugh hysterically,' he recounted.
To set the scene, George had been completely off the booze for six full months while starring in the critically acclaimed Broadway revival of Good Night, and Good Luck. He took on the role of journalist Edward R. Murrow, a character from the 2005 film he co-wrote and starred in – a story about integrity in journalism that resonates even today. The only exception to his sobriety? A single glass of wine every Sunday evening, like a small ritual to unwind. But after the Tony loss, he made up for lost time at the afterparty. 'Amal and I were in bed, and I joked, 'Well, I just crammed all that abstinence into one wild night.' I spent the whole next day feeling awful; it was hilarious in hindsight,' he chuckled. 'I was like a teenager again – totally wasted.'
But here's where it gets controversial... George admitted that while he enjoys a drink now and then, his relationship with alcohol has evolved over the years. 'There were stretches where I wouldn't call it a problem – I never started my day with a drink or anything like that. But I'd go on binges, getting pretty tipsy most nights,' he explained. And this is the part most people miss: he also confessed to experimenting with drugs back in the day, including cocaine and marijuana. 'Around 1982, I tried coke and other stuff. I used to joke about overdoing it with drugs, but honestly, it wasn't a huge deal for me,' he shared. He even referenced a Taxi episode where characters did blow, noting how society once downplayed it as harmless, only to realize later it was far from it. 'It was like, 'Oh, it's not like heroin – it's not addictive.' But then, 'Whoa, it's actually pretty terrible.''
Expanding on that, George recalled a memorable marijuana experience about 15 years ago with a group of friends during a screening of The Wizard of Oz. 'We were all stoned out of our minds. There were around 20 of us in the room, and after the movie ended, we just sat there in silence for hours – literally hours! It's just not my thing,' he laughed. For beginners wondering about these substances, it's worth noting that while George frames his experiences as non-problematic for him personally, experts often highlight how even casual use can lead to unexpected risks, like impaired judgment or health issues, depending on the individual.
As a proud dad to eight-year-old twins Alexander and Ella, and a loving husband to human rights advocate Amal Clooney since their 2014 wedding, George has clearly matured. But before settling into family life, he was known for more frequent partying. He reminisced about showing up intoxicated on the set of the 1996 film One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer. 'I woke up at 5 a.m., thinking I felt fine. Then I checked the mirror and realized, 'Oh, I'm still drunk,'' he said in a Variety interview with her. 'We headed to the set, walked to the trailer, and I plopped down. Michelle looked at me and asked, 'What?' I replied, 'I didn't realize we were shooting today.' She shot back, 'You're still drunk.' I got through the scene by gargling Listerine because I reeked like a distillery.'
It's fascinating how these stories humanize celebrities, showing they're not so different from the rest of us. But is it fair for stars to share such personal tales, or does it set a risky example? Do you think George's openness about his past drinking and drug dabbling is refreshing honesty, or could it glamorize behaviors that aren't always harmless? And here's a controversial twist: some might argue that admitting to these experiences without deep regret downplays the potential dangers – what do you think? Drop your opinions in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own celebrity indulgence stories!
To dive deeper into George's family life, check out these related reads:
- George Clooney reveals his twins' secret talent
- George Clooney reveals doting habit he has taken to since becoming a father to twins Ella and Alexander
- Amal Clooney steals the show in sultry mini dress on date night with George
