In terms of Hollywood leading men from the past few decades, few come close to being as prolific, versatile, or recognizable as George Clooney. A star of both screen and stage, the 2026 Golden Globe nominee has proven time and time again he’s one of the best to ever do it. But did you know that he once missed out on a part in Thelma & Louise, the role that made Brad Pitt, the other half of his big Hollywood romance, into a big-time star back in the early 1990s?
This “what if” situation became a major topic of conversation when Clooney and his Ocean’s Eleven costar sat down for a chat with The Times. When opening up about missing out on one of Ridley Scott’s best movies, and losing the part of the charming dfriter named J.D., which launched his future friend’s big-screen career, the Jay Kelly star didn’t hold back at all, saying:
