George Clooney Refused to Raise His Kids in Hollywood Because ‘They Were Never Going to Get a Fair Shake at Life,’ Moved to a Farm in France Where ‘They Don’t Give a S— About Fame’

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/george-clooney-kids-hollywood-toxic-culture-1236540995/

32 comments

  1. > “Yeah, we’re very lucky. You know, we live on a farm in France,” Clooney said. “A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid I hated the whole idea of it. But now, for them, it’s like—they’re not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.”

    > “I was worried about raising our kids in L. A., in the culture of Hollywood,” the actor continued. “I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life. France—they kind of don’t give a shit about fame. I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”

  2. Wish I could move to my farm in France to get away from it all

  5. I mean, not a bad choice. But I dont think his kids were ever going to get “a bad shake at life.”

  7. A bit like Angela Lansbury’s story.

    “Angela Lansbury prioritized her children’s well-being, moving her family to Ireland to escape the dangerous environment of Los Angeles and Charles Manson’s cult, and supported their recovery from heroin addiction. She prioritized family time and simple moments over her demanding acting career, finding grounding and connection with her children and son-in-law. Her son, Anthony, later directed her in several episodes of Murder, She Wrote, a collaboration built on mutual trust and love.”

  8. I was gonna say, “Why France?” But if he did this in a remote spot in America it probably wouldn’t be very remote for long.

    Plus this gives him a good out if he needs to leave the country when it goes to shit.

  9. There’s now going to be a Smug Alert over a farm in France (hope someone else gets the reference)

  10. Moved to a farm in France?

    I confess I know very little about Clooney, but I thought he was one of those ‘crazy for Italy’ guys who had been living outside some small town there for years?

  12. Imagine living in a farm in the French countryside, and not having to farm anything to make ends meet.

    At least Hollywood with all the paparazzi, the bodyguards and the lack of privacy would give them a sense of the downsides of fame

  13. George Clooney’s parents are beloved in Cincinnati and N Kentucky, and by all accounts, they raised their kids to have a sense of humility and responsibility. They still live in the area, and at least up until a few years ago, George’s mom Nina had an antique shop in Augusta KY, where she worked the counter and chatted with customers. Truly lovely people.

  14. Amal was born in Lebanon and raised in the U.K., so it makes sense they’d want to raise their kids outside the USA. 

  15. I know this is mostly possible because of their wealth- but who cares. He wants better for his family- why are people being shitty about it?

  16. Adam Driver has done something very similar, keeping his kids completely shielded from the paparazzi. No one even knew he had any kids until like two years after the first one was born. Honestly, I respect the energy.

  18. I wish I could afford to get my family out of the United States now. I always wondered why people in Germany didn’t just leave in the early 1930s, but now I understand. I wish I could just get my kids out.

  19. In France they do not care about Fame. Clicks on link, looks at photo. Ohhhhhh that’s why you have a bodyguard in every photo?

  21. Like yeah, he’s ultra rich, etc, but I’d argue his kids are much more likely to not be assholes because of this decision. Can you imagine how impossible it would be to not be a piece of shit if you grew up IN LA with A-list parents?

  22. When these rich people live on “farms” are they really farming? I hear so much about actors and musicians living on farms but I jut can’t imagine them doing labor from 5am until sundown.

  23. Meanwhile Rick Moranis left acting at the height of his career to be a full-time stay-at-home dad when his wife died.

  24. “a farm” is a crazy way to describe that property lmao

  25. Must be nice to have real generational wealth.

  26. I listen to his aunt Rosemary Clooney because of him. Kinda of reverse nepotism.

  27. Rick Moranis ended his entire career to raise his kids after their mother died

  28. “a fair shake at life” his kids being his kids instantly are afforded so much more of what life has to offer than the bulk of our species ever will. I understand what he’s saying but it’s exhausting.

  29. “well at least MY kids will be fine” -George Clooney

  31. Celebrities, aren’t they amazing? I refused raise my kids in Hollywood because I’m not famous or super wealthy. Can’t afford a French farm either.

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