George Clooney Reveals the Iconic Role He Lost to Brad Pitt

George Clooney is looking back at the moment he nearly landed a breakout film role—until Brad Pitt stepped in and changed Hollywood history.

George Clooney Recalls Losing ‘Thelma & Louise’ Role to Brad Pitt

In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the 64-year-old actor opened up about his early-career transition from TV roles to major film opportunities, including losing out on the iconic role of J.D. in the 1991 classic “Thelma & Louise.”

Clooney shared that he made it all the way to the final audition before learning Pitt had been chosen instead.

“I got to the final test for a role in Thelma & Louise, and, motherf——, Brad got it,” Clooney playfully remarked.

The actor admitted he took the loss hard at the time, recalling, “I didn’t watch Thelma & Louise for years because I was annoyed,” he said. “The part launched his career in film. He was doing sitcoms and crap before, so when it was the thing that could’ve launched me? F—!”

Despite that initial frustration, Clooney later acknowledged that his longtime friend was the right fit for the part, saying, “But, of course, when I saw it, I was like, ‘Well, it had to be that guy.’ ”

Brad Pitt & Geena Davis Reflect on ‘Thelma & Louise’ Success & Fame

Pitt, now 61, has publicly acknowledged how many hurdles he faced before securing the part that reshaped his career. In a January 2023 interview with W Magazine, he shared that the casting process was far from straightforward.

“I just thought, I’m the guy for this,” Pitt said at the time. “I didn’t get the part at first, and then it came back around, and I didn’t get it again, and I went, ‘Huh. All right. Moving on.’ And then it came back around again … I feel like it was three times.”

He also reflected on filming the famously steamy love scene with Geena Davis, who portrayed Thelma Dickinson. “Geena [Davis] was so sweet and kind and delicate,” he recalled. “That love scene, I think, went on for two days of shooting. She took care of me.”

Davis, 69, previously told People she was struck by Pitt’s talent from the moment she saw him audition. “He just has ‘it,’ ” she said in February 2020. “I could tell when he was auditioning that he was super talented. He has done so many incredible things over the years.”

She added, “He really is the ‘star’ of the moment, which is fabulous, and it is just great to see.”

Clooney and Pitt have since shared the screen multiple times, including in “Ocean’s Eleven” and its sequels, and have remained trusted collaborators and close friends. While the missed opportunity once stung, Clooney now looks back with humor—and genuine admiration for the actor who got the part.

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