Overview
- La Biennale di Venezia's board approved on Monday, after a proposal from artistic director Alberto Barbera, that Clooney receive the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the 83rd Venice Film Festival running Sept. 2–12, 2026.
- Barbera framed the tribute around Clooney's 'triple role' as actor, director and producer, calling him an artist both charismatic and versatile whose films span commercial hits and personal projects.
- Clooney said he was honored, called Venice his favorite festival and joked that the award 'probably means I'm getting old,' comments the festival released with the announcement.
- The festival also named American actress Maggie Gyllenhaal as president of the 83rd Mostra jury, signaling the organizers are assembling a high-profile leadership team for the September festival.
- The prize builds on Clooney's long ties to the Lido—debuting there in 1998—and his mix of major awards and humanitarian work, a combination that the Mostra highlighted as the reason the honor underscores his place among classic Hollywood figures.