Laura Dern to Deliver Tribute Speech Honoring George Clooney

Does life imitate art? In Jay Kelly, Laura Dern played the publicist for the artist portrayed by George Clooney, who was also set to be honored for his career. Now, the actress will have the chance to do something similar in real life: she will deliver the tribute speech for Clooney during the opening of the Venice Film Festival.

Clooney will receive the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the festival’s opening ceremony, scheduled for September 2. The honor celebrates his career as an actor, director, and producer, as well as his involvement in social and humanitarian causes.

The tribute also marks another reunion between Dern and the Italian festival. The actress has taken part in several editions of Venice with films such as Inland Empire, Marriage Story and The Son. In 2006, she also delivered the speech when the festival awarded the Golden Lion to David Lynch.

Dern and Clooney most recently worked together on Jay Kelly itself, directed by Noah Baumbach and screened in competition at Venice in 2025. The feature is available on Netflix.