George Clooney Opens Up About His Journey with Substances and Broadway

In a remarkably candid interview with Esquire, George Clooney shared insights into his life experiences with various substances and his recent Broadway journey at age 64. The beloved actor, known for his charm and honesty, revealed that contrary to jokes he’s made throughout his career, drugs were “never a big issue” for him. Clooney recalled experimenting with cocaine in 1982, during an era when its dangers weren’t fully recognized. “At the time, it was like, ‘No, this is not like heroin. It’s not addictive,'” he explained with characteristic frankness. “But then it was like, ‘Oh, well, it’s actually pretty bad.'” He humorously added that the cocaine was typically cut with mannitol, a baby laxative, resulting in predictable bathroom visits for users. Despite this brief experimentation, Clooney never developed a problematic relationship with hard drugs, maintaining they were never a significant part of his life.

While cocaine wasn’t his substance of choice, Clooney discovered that marijuana definitely wasn’t either. He shared an amusing anecdote about trying marijuana brownies with friends approximately 15 years ago. The group watched “The Wizard of Oz” while listening to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”—a classic combination for cannabis enthusiasts. The experience left quite an impression on the actor: “We were completely out of it. I think all of us—there were about 20 of us in the screening room—sat there without speaking for hours after the movie ended. Hours! The sun was coming up, and we were just… it’s just not my drug.” The memory, shared with self-deprecating humor, highlights Clooney’s preference for authenticity over maintaining a perfectly polished image, something fans have long appreciated about him.

Alcohol, however, has been more Clooney’s speed—fitting for someone who co-founded Casamigos tequila with Rande Gerber in 2013. He acknowledged going through periods of heavier drinking, though he was careful to clarify boundaries: “I’ve had periods where, I wouldn’t say it was a problem—I never woke up and drank or anything. But I’d have runs where I’d get pretty toasty every night.” This relationship with alcohol came into focus at the 2025 Tony Awards this past June, which followed his six-month stint playing Edward R. Murrow in the Broadway production of “Good Night, and Good Luck,” during which he’d abstained from drinking. Clooney described his post-awards celebration with endearing self-mockery: “I got blasted. Barely-walking drunk, you know? Came home with Amal, and I was just laughing.” The next day’s hangover left him feeling like he was experiencing “high school drunk”—”dumbass drunk,” as he put it, making light of his overindulgence after months of sobriety.

The actor’s Broadway run as Edward R. Murrow represented a significant professional challenge, one that brought unexpected anxiety to the seasoned performer. “I was really nervous,” Clooney admitted, attributing some of his concerns to age. “As you get older—I’m 64—and as you get older, it doesn’t matter how many granola bars you eat; your brain starts to lock up.” This vulnerability is refreshing coming from someone of Clooney’s stature, as he shared his fear of forgetting lines during the numerous lengthy monologues in the play. His solution revealed his dedication to the craft: “Every single night for one hundred performances, I would do the whole play in the dressing room before I went onstage. I was so terrified.” Despite not winning the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor (the honor went to Cole Escola for “Oh, Mary!”), Clooney’s commitment to excellence shone through in his preparation.

The Broadway production of “Good Night, and Good Luck” marked a full-circle moment for Clooney, who directed and co-wrote the 2005 film of the same name. His stage performance as legendary broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow broke new ground when it became the first Broadway play to be televised live, broadcast on CNN on June 7. The historic performance is now available for streaming on Prime Video, allowing audiences beyond Broadway to witness Clooney’s portrayal. Throughout the six months he embodied Murrow, Clooney abstained from alcohol entirely, demonstrating the seriousness with which he approached the role. His wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, supported him throughout this challenging period, accompanying him to the Tony Awards where he was nominated for his performance.

George Clooney’s Esquire interview reveals a man comfortable with his contradictions—a Hollywood icon who can laugh at his past excesses while acknowledging his present vulnerabilities. At 64, he appears more willing than ever to share the full spectrum of his experiences, from youthful experimentation to age-related anxieties about performance. His candid reflections on substance use feel refreshingly honest in an industry often characterized by carefully managed images. Whether discussing his brief encounters with cocaine in the early ’80s, his disastrous experience with marijuana brownies, or his celebratory post-Broadway bender, Clooney brings the same authenticity that has endeared him to audiences for decades. His willingness to push himself professionally while openly acknowledging his fears demonstrates why, well into his sixties, George Clooney remains one of Hollywood’s most respected and relatable figures.