George Clooney Fires Back at Russell Crowe’s Criticisms

The Long-standing feud between Hollywood stars George Clooney and Russell Crowe has been making headlines for over 18 years.

Since 2005, the two actors have engaged in a war of words through the press, with Crowe questioning Clooney's integrity and Clooney mocking Crowe's musical endeavors.

Let's delve into the reasons behind their animosity and how it has played out in the public eye over the past two decades.

Crowe accused Clooney of selling out.

The feud originated in early 2005 when Crowe criticized Clooney, along with Harrison Ford and Robert De Niro, for appearing in corporate ad campaigns.

Clooney had previously featured in commercials for the menswear line Emidio Tucci in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

According to The Chicago Tribune, Crowe stated, “I don't do ads for suits in Spain like George Clooney or cigarettes in Japan like Harrison.”

He believed that such endorsements were a betrayal of the audience's trust.

Crowe further criticized De Niro for advertising American Express.

Clooney poked fun at Crowe's band.

In response to Crowe's comments on artistic ethics, Clooney sarcastically targeted Crowe's rock band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, in an interview with Us Weekly.

Clooney jokingly remarked, “I'm glad he enlightened us because Harrison, Bob, and I were forming a band called Grunting for 30 Feet, which would also qualify as a ‘bad use of celebrity.'

Thanks for the heads-up.”

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Crowe sent poems to Clooney.

Eight years later, Clooney discussed his feud with Crowe in a 2013 interview with Esquire.

He revealed that Crowe lashed out at him, calling him a Frank Sinatra wannabe due to the criticism of his music career.

Clooney responded by sending Crowe a note questioning his behavior and stating that their feud only benefited tabloid magazines.

Clooney emphasized that he did not initiate the conflict, claiming that Crowe started it for no reason.

Surprisingly, Clooney mentioned that Crowe later attempted to reconcile by sending him his own poetry and music as an apology.

However, Clooney suspected that this gesture was merely an attempt to smooth things over during awards season.

He brushed it off, believing that Crowe was just trying to save face.

Clooney also criticized a younger star.

During the same interview, Clooney shared his own opinions on artistic choices and took a dig at another A-list actor.

He advised fellow celebrities to avoid Twitter, arguing that being easily accessible to everyone was unnecessary for famous individuals.

Additionally, Clooney recounted a basketball game where he and his friends, all in their fifties, defeated a team from Leonardo DiCaprio's entourage.

Clooney used this story to emphasize the importance of having someone in life who can provide honest feedback, questioning whether DiCaprio had such a person.

Despite Crowe's stance on artistic integrity, Clooney has continued to participate in lucrative sponsorship deals and star in major films.

In 2008, he appeared in a Honda Odyssey commercial in Japan, and in 2018, he rode a donkey through the streets of Spain for a Nespresso ad.

In conclusion, George Clooney and Russell Crowe have engaged in a lengthy feud characterized by verbal jabs and public criticisms.

This ongoing clash between two Hollywood heavyweights has captivated audiences for years, showcasing the complexities and controversies within the entertainment industry.