George Clooney Opens Up About Raising Kids On A Farm In France, And Why Staying In Hollywood With Them Would’ve ‘Worried’ Him

by

George Clooney remains one of Hollywood’s most iconic leading men, known for his classic style and undeniable charisma. If you haven’t seen him in many movies recently, it’s because his focus has changed. He’s not retiring from acting, but recently revealed he and his family have moved to France. He explained that staying in Hollywood would have caused him concern.

George and Amal Clooney, along with their eight-year-old twins, have been living on a property in France since 2021. While leaving Hollywood has slightly restricted his work opportunities, it hasn’t slowed down Clooney’s career – he has a new film, *Jay Kelly*, coming to Netflix and *Ocean’s 14* is in development. The *Ticket to Paradise* star says he and his wife made the right choice for their children, and he’s happy with the decision.

We live on a farm in France, and I spent much of my childhood there too. I actually didn’t like farm life as a kid, but now I see how much better it is for my children. They’re not constantly on tablets, they eat dinner with the family, and they even help with chores like clearing the table. It’s a much more connected and fulfilling way of life.

I really appreciate this perspective because it’s clear he truly prioritizes his children’s well-being. The internet can be tricky, and we all know excessive screen time isn’t ideal for how kids learn to socialize. It seems George Clooney feels strongly about this, even setting rules for guests in his home. But his dedication to protecting his kids goes even further – it was a key reason he and his family chose to live outside the US.

I was concerned about raising our children in Los Angeles, with all the focus on Hollywood and celebrity culture. It felt like they wouldn’t have a normal chance in life. France, on the other hand, doesn’t really care about fame. I want my kids to be able to live without worrying about the paparazzi or being constantly compared to other famous children.

George Clooney isn’t alone in worrying about raising children in Los Angeles. Several other actors, including Mark Wahlberg, Matthew McConaughey, and James Van Der Beek, have moved away from Hollywood, believing it was the right choice for their families.

Most people in the film industry are choosing to move to different parts of the U.S., and some are even seeking remote locations like rural Vermont. Filming internationally is a significant undertaking, but George Clooney seems to be onto a good idea. There are now greater financial benefits to shooting films abroad, and Clooney has reached a point in his career where production companies will adapt to his location. His latest film, *Jay Kelly*, was filmed at four different locations, three of which were conveniently located in Europe.

People have criticized the actor for consistently playing characters who are very much like himself, and this perception has been reinforced by his new film. In it, he portrays a well-known, older actor dealing with the challenges of getting older in Hollywood.

If these are the kinds of roles he’s being offered, and he continues to impress people with his acting – which he is – then what’s the issue? It’s a real benefit that he’s in demand, rather than having to search for work. This allows him to be more present for his children, like when he recently shared a charming story about painting a fence with them.

Initially, they were making small, delicate strokes. I told them to just paint the fence! Then they really went to town, covering it – and themselves – in paint and oil.

Watching the twins playfully interact during the interview, and considering their reputation for harmless pranks, it’s clear George and Amal Clooney are doing a fantastic job as parents. Knowing they’re genuinely good people makes me admire them even more, and I’m really looking forward to watching *Jay Kelly* on Netflix starting December 5th.

Read More

2025-10-07 02:09