George Clooney is opening up about a formative childhood memory long before he became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable romantic leads. In a recent interview, the Oscar-winning actor reflected on his very first kiss—revealing it happened when he was just 11 years old, in a surprisingly low-key setting. Speaking with W Magazine, Clooney shared that his first kiss took place “in the back of a church in my hometown of Augusta, Kentucky.” The moment, he said, unfolded while he and a young girl were hiding from friends who were urging them on from outside.
“We were hiding from all of our friends who were outside waiting, saying, ‘Kiss her! Kiss her!’” Clooney recalled. “The relationship didn’t last—11-year-olds move on pretty quickly.”
A glimpse before Hollywood heartthrob status
The anecdote offers a rare glimpse into Clooney’s life before fame, years before he rose to stardom as Dr. Doug Ross on ER in the 1990s. That role cemented his reputation as a television heartthrob and helped launch a film career that would span decades. Over the years, Clooney has become known for his work in romantic comedies, starring opposite some of the industry’s biggest names. His credits include One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer, Intolerable Cruelty with Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Ticket to Paradise alongside Julia Roberts.
Not every on-screen kiss came easily
Despite his polished on-screen persona, Clooney admitted that kissing scenes did not always come naturally early in his career. In a 2022 interview with The New York Times while promoting Ticket to Paradise, he recalled being corrected by a director during one of his first romantic scenes.
“I remember early on in my career, I had to do a kissing scene with this girl, and the director goes, ‘Not like that,’” Clooney said at the time. “‘That’s my move! That’s what I do in real life!’”
The actor later joked that even decades into his career, filming romantic moments could still be challenging.
Laughing through romance with Julia Roberts
Clooney also revealed that filming a kissing scene with longtime friend and co-star Julia Roberts took far more effort than expected. According to the actor, it required dozens of takes—not because of difficulty, but because the two couldn’t stop laughing.
“I told my wife, Amal, ‘It took 80 takes,’” Clooney joked, recalling her surprised reaction. Roberts later clarified that 79 of those takes were ruined by laughter, with only one successful take making it into the film.
“Well, we had to get it right,” Clooney added.
New chapter with latest Netflix film
Now 64, Clooney continues to balance reflection with forward momentum. His latest film, Jay Kelly, is currently streaming on Netflix, marking another chapter in a career that has spanned television, film, and directing. While audiences may associate Clooney with charm and romance, his recollection of an awkward, youthful first kiss underscores how far his journey has traveled—from the back of a small-town church to the global spotlight.
