A sinus infection has sidelined George Clooney during his anticipated return to the Venice International Film Festival. The two-time Academy Award winner dropped out of a string of major appearances at this 82nd annual event, which kicked off Wednesday on the barrier island of Lido. “George has been diagnosed with a sinus infection and is under doctor’s orders to cut back all activities ...

George Clooney attends the red carpet of the movie Jay Kelly during the 82nd Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Aug. 28, 2025.

Laurent Hou/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

A sinus infection has sidelined George Clooney during his anticipated return to the Venice International Film Festival.

The two-time Academy Award winner dropped out of a string of major appearances at this 82nd annual event, which kicked off Wednesday on the barrier island of Lido.

“George has been diagnosed with a sinus infection and is under doctor’s orders to cut back all activities today,” Clooney’s rep confirmed Thursday.

The 64-year-old actor and director didn’t attend the press junket for “Jay Kelly,” his latest film directed by Noah Baumbach, and also skipped out on a high-profile dinner with co-stars Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Emily Mortimer and Billy Crudup.

Clooney reportedly arrived in Venice by boat on Tuesday with his wife, Amal, but also missed the official press conference for the Netflix release on Thursday morning.

“Even movie stars get sick,” Baumbach quipped at the event.

Per the Netflix synopsis, “Jay Kelly” centers on a famous actor, played by Clooney, who “embarks on a journey of self discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager.”

The “Good Night, and Good Luck” star is a regular at the Venice Film Festival, bringing many of the projects he’s directed, starred in and produced.

Clooney also famously used the romantic city as the backdrop for his 2014 wedding to Amal Alamuddin.