Jay Kelly Cast On Fame: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Emily Mortimer Reflect

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In the film, George Clooney plays Jay Kelly, a famous actor reflecting on his fading career. While the movie features a talented cast, each actor approached the themes of fame and its consequences in a unique way. Directed by Noah Baumbach (nominated for four Oscars) and co-written with Emily Mortimer, who also appears in the film, the story centers on Kelly and his manager as they look back at their professional journeys – the decisions they made to achieve success and the personal costs that came with it.

The film, directed by Clooney, features a star-studded cast including Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Patrick Wilson, and Greta Gerwig. It premiered at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion, and is considered a strong contender for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor—with Adam Sandler as a likely nominee in that last category.

With the release of the movie on Netflix, Ash Crossan from ScreenRant spoke with George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Emily Mortimer, and Patrick Wilson about the film. They discussed how the characters deal with fame, comparing their experiences to Clooney’s character, Jay Kelly. Sandler explained the movie shows Kelly trying to reconnect with a normal life and making progress during the week the story takes place. Dern agreed, saying he’s trying to get back on track and rebuild his relationship with his daughters.

Sandler shared that Dern seems unaware of her celebrity status, often going about her day as if no one will recognize her. However, when people do approach her, she makes a big impression, radiating positive energy and leaving them pleasantly surprised. Dern also praised Sandler for being grounded and especially noted his strong commitment to his family.

Laura Dern described Adam as someone who is completely devoted to his family. She said he always carries them with him, both literally and figuratively. She recounted a vacation where he insisted on carrying everyone’s luggage – his daughters’, her daughter’s, and even everyone else’s – demonstrating his constant willingness to support and care for his loved ones.

Adam Sandler: That’s only because I wanted to get to the hotel.

Laura Dern describes this person as someone who consistently cares for everyone. She suggests Jay Kelly could take a lesson from that kind of dedication.

Adam Sandler: Yeah, maybe he should sit back and watch that. Learn from the Dern.

Sandler explained that they mostly just live their lives as usual, whether he’s playing basketball or going to the grocery store. He admits that sometimes fame brings a brief moment of attention, but that feeling usually fades, allowing them to return to a normal routine.

Laura Dern largely agreed with Adam Sandler, complimenting Noah Baumbach and Charlie Mortimer on how beautifully the film, through the character Jay Kelly, examines our tendency to idealize people we admire. She also noted the film acknowledges that even those admired figures are simply trying to figure out how to live fulfilling lives and maintain meaningful relationships. Dern expressed feeling very lucky and grateful to be involved, emphasizing that this central theme is what makes the film so impactful.

Clooney started by jokingly pointing out he doesn’t have the same level of security as Jay Kelly. He also explained that he became famous later in life, which he believes helped him handle stardom better than younger actors who become famous at 18.

I probably wouldn’t have coped with this situation very well myself. It’s definitely easier when you’re younger and have already experienced some setbacks! I see Jay as someone who’s been sheltered his whole life. It’s ironic, because people might assume that’s how I live, but it’s not true. I’m lucky to have strong relationships with my friends and family, especially my dad. Essentially, Jay embodies qualities that are very different from my own life.

Unlike George Clooney, Wilson doesn’t believe he ever truly experienced being a star. He says he’s always been more interested in the impact of film itself than in personal fame. He remembers a strange experience while on a remote beach in Crete, where a Russian man ran up to him shouting, “Lynch!”

The man told Wilson he’d seen The A-Team in a small village he was from, which made Wilson realize just how far movies can reach. This was a more powerful lesson than any recognition Wilson himself had received. He also recalled advice from Joel Schumacher, the director of The Phantom of the Opera, who encouraged him to do international publicity, not to become more famous, but to understand the global impact of film and how connected the world truly is.

Mortimer, known for creating and starring in the show Doll & Em and adapting The Pursuit of Love, started working on the film after Baumbach shared a basic concept with her. He wanted to create a movie about a movie star struggling with their mental state, and Mortimer immediately responded with enthusiasm, encouraging him to write and direct it. She told him she would love to see that film.

I was honestly shocked when he said, “Maybe you should write it with me.” I first thought Noah was joking, suggesting a collaboration, but he quickly assured me he was completely serious! Working with him on the film turned out to be one of the most exciting and joyful experiences of my career. It’s incredibly personal; so much of the story comes directly from both our lives – our experiences with fame, the entertainment industry, and really, what it’s like to dedicate your life to this kind of work.

Anyone deeply committed to their work, no matter the field, faces a similar struggle. You inevitably have to give up or put aside other things to focus on what you love, and that can be emotionally draining. That’s something we all experience when we’re passionate about our careers.

Mortimer connected with Jay Kelly because they were both experiencing the bittersweet feeling of their children growing up and becoming independent – a feeling similar to what Clooney’s character goes through as he tries to rebuild his relationship with his daughters. She described it as realizing, “My kids are all grown up!” and then questioning if she’d done a good job as a parent, mixed with the worry of them leaving the nest.

The actor and writer explained that it was a “truly difficult” period, as parents – famous or not – often believe they’ll always be a constant presence in their children’s lives. But when those children grow up and become independent, it can leave parents feeling like they’ve been left behind and are no longer needed.

It’s true, they don’t actually go anywhere, but in the moment, it certainly feels that way. As the film says, ‘You only know if you’ve been a good parent when they’re gone.’ That feeling was very present for me while we were writing the screenplay.

Be sure to dive into some of our other Jay Kelly-related coverage with:

  • Frequent Adam Sandler collaborator Terry Crews reacting to the Jay Kelly Oscar buzz
  • George Clooney reflecting on the role he lost to Brad Pitt
  • George Clooney reflecting on his once-in-a-lifetime experience with Wes Anderson
  • George Clooney reflecting on the worst-reviewed movie of his career
  • Our 10 favorite movies about the filmmaking business, in which Jay Kelly is a part

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2025-12-05 00:32