George Clooney Just Broke His Silence on Presley Gerber’s Death, and His Words Will Break Your Heart
George Clooney has finally spoken. After weeks of silence following the death of Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of his closest friends Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, the Oscar winner broke down the wall of privacy on the red carpet of his own charity gala in London and said what everyone around him has been feeling: this one cut deeper than most of Hollywood can imagine. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the fifth annual Albies on Friday night, October 9, Clooney looked every bit the 65-year-old silver fox in a classic black tuxedo. But his composure cracked the moment the question came. “I don’t think we’re even in the position of even being able to talk about it,” he began, Amal Clooney, 48, standing beside him in a glittering gold Gucci gown, her hand never leaving his arm. Then came the line that said everything: “Quite honestly, it’s one of the most devastating things that’s happened to our family.” He added, quietly, “It’s the worst thing that could ever happen with family.” For Clooney, this was never a headline about a stranger. It was about family in the truest sense. He co-founded Casamigos tequila with Rande Gerber back in 2013, a business born out of their friendship that turned into a billion-dollar sale in 2017. But long before and long after the money, the Clooneys and the Gerbers were family. Friends say Presley called him “Uncle George.” And by every account, Clooney took that title seriously.
A Bond That Ran Far Deeper Than Business
In the weeks since Presley died on September 20 at a sober living facility in Santa Monica, stories have surfaced about just how close he and Clooney were. One insider told the Daily Mail that Presley was “more than just a friend’s kid” to the actor. Another said, “He was part of George’s family.” Clooney reportedly spent hours talking to Presley over the years, offering guidance when the young model struggled with depression and substance abuse. After Presley’s 2018 DUI arrest, it was Clooney who sat him down for a serious talk. In the final days of Presley’s life, the actor kept reaching out, sending loving notes with a simple message: “I am here for you.” “He is the nicest guy in the world and would do anything to help Rande’s family,” the insider said. “George would spend hours talking to Presley.” Those who know Clooney have seen this side of him before. He is famously loyal to his circle, the kind of star who shows up, who calls back, who remembers. Friends of the Gerber family describe a man who refused to treat Presley like a distant acquaintance, who treated him like the son of a brother.
What Happened on September 20
Presley Gerber, the only son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and nightlife entrepreneur Rande Gerber, was found dead at the Resolutions Living facility in Santa Monica on Sunday, September 20. He was 27. Dispatch audio obtained by Page Six indicated first responders were called for a “cardiac arrest” and a possible overdose. Sources said he had checked into the facility just that same weekend and was found in a bedroom. Days later, footage surfaced showing the model filming himself inside the facility in the hours before his death. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has deferred determining the cause and manner of death pending further testing, even though the autopsy has been completed. Presley had been open about his battles. His sister, Kaia Gerber, 25, revealed in a Vogue interview published in August, just one month before his passing, that her brother had fought a decade-long struggle with drug addiction. In 2023, Presley launched a social media series called “Mental Health Mondays,” where he shared the healthy habits and tools he had learned over the years to manage his wellbeing. The effort to be honest about his pain was real, even if the pain ultimately won. A family representative asked for privacy at the time, saying the family hoped for “privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”
A Night That Was Supposed to Be About Justice
The Albies, held this year at London’s Natural History Museum, is the Clooney Foundation for Justice’s flagship event, now in its fifth year. Created by George and Amal in 2022 and named after anti-apartheid hero Justice Albie Sachs, the ceremony honors courageous individuals who risk everything to fight for justice around the world. This year’s honorees included Kyrgyz journalists Bolot Temirov and Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy, Malawian girls’ rights advocate Vanessa Mwangala, American photojournalist Lynsey Addario, Congolese human rights organization Justice Plus, and Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith. Graham Norton hosted the evening, with performances by Jackson Browne and Vic Mensa. Gucci signed on as the fashion partner for the first time, which explains Amal’s show-stopping gown: a molded off-the-shoulder number covered in gilded sequins that cascaded into layers of beaded fringe, paired with gold pointed-toe heels and statement earrings. And the stars showed up in force. Brad Pitt arrived with girlfriend Ines de Ramon, making a rare joint appearance for his old friend’s cause. The guest list read like a who’s who: Emma Thompson, Isla Fisher, Laura Dern, Hannah Waddingham, Josh Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton, Emily Ratajkowski, Dominic West, Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace, Bianca Jagger, Melinda Gates, Felicity Jones, and Bono and The Edge. It was a glittering night built on the idea that the world is watching, that courage should be seen and protected. And in the middle of all that shine, Clooney let the world see his grief. There was no performance in it. Just a man who lost someone he loved like family, standing next to his wife, admitting he barely has the words.
The Family Left Behind
Cindy Crawford, 60, and Rande Gerber, 64, married in 1998 and share two children: Kaia, who has become one of the most successful models of her generation, and Presley, who worked as a model and photographer. Sources told Page Six that Cindy is “inconsolable” and “absolutely devastated,” calling it “every parent’s worst nightmare.” Kaia had praised her brother in that August interview for being public about his struggles, saying the family’s shared pain “kind of levels everyone.” She admitted she started calling herself “the easy one” because it felt like too much to have both children needing help at once. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, help is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Why This Moment Mattered
Celebrities grieve in public whether they want to or not, but Clooney chose his moment carefully. He waited nearly three weeks, and he spoke at an event built around protecting people who risk everything. His message was simple: some losses don’t get easier with distance or fame or money. “Their family is just, as you can imagine,” he said, trailing off. Anyone who has watched a friend bury a child knows exactly what he meant. The rest didn’t need to be said.
Further reading: Page Six and Parade covered Clooney’s comments, and you can catch up on our earlier celebrity coverage: Anne Hathaway’s 5-star Digger review, Jennifer Aniston’s Christmas movie casting, Taylor Swift’s Academy Museum Gala performance.
