George Clooney Skips Venice Film Festival Appearances Due to Illness

George Clooney is feeling under the weather as the 82nd Venice International Film Festival kicks off.

Clooney, 64, was not present for a press junket promoting his new film, Jay Kelly, which is premiering at the annual festival in Italy. He was also absent from a dinner with castmates including Adam Sandler and Laura Dern, per The Hollywood Reporter.

A representative for Clooney confirmed to People that the actor skipped the events on Wednesday, August 27, amid an illness.

“Unfortunately, George has a sinus infection and, under doctor’s orders, he has had to scale back his activities today,” a rep told the outlet.

The next day, Clooney was not in attendance at a press conference for the film.

“As you may know, George Clooney is not going to be here because he has a bad sinus infection,” the moderator said. “We really hope, and I think he should be on the red carpet tonight. But he is very sorry he cannot be with us.”

Director Noah Baumbach quipped, “Even movie stars get sick.”

George and his wife, Amal Clooney, were spotted arriving in Venice on Tuesday, August 26. The couple, who tied the knot in 2014, held hands while walking through the streets. George sported a black short-sleeved polo and beige pants while Amal, 47, rocked a butter yellow jumpsuit and a chic pair of sunglasses.

While the plot details of Jay Kelly have been kept largely under wraps, Netflix shared that the film centers around aging actor Jay (George) during his European road trip with manager Ron (Sandler).

“Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the legacies they’ll leave behind,” the official synopsis read.

George recently opened up about working with Sandler, 58, whom he encouraged cast members not to look at as a “goofy comedian.”

“This film, more than any film Adam has done, shows what a beautiful, heartfelt, soulful actor he is — I kept telling the cast, ‘Don’t call him Sand Man. Don’t talk to him like he’s just some goofy comedian. He’s actually a really beautiful, wonderful actor,’” George told Vanity Fair.

He continued, “Because of what [Adam’s] paycheck is, which is doing big goofy comedies, when he does these other, beautiful, Uncut Gems kinds of movies, it reminds people of that. He’s not just a good comedian.”

Jay Kelly’s limited theatrical run begins on November 14, before its global streaming release via Netflix on December 5.