George Clooney Surprised 14 Of His Best Friends With $1 Million In Cash Each

During a 2020 GQ interview, George Clooney shared insights into the deep bond he shares with his close circle of friends, highlighting the mutual support system they’ve built over more than three decades. 

Clooney emphasized how they’ve been there for each other through thick and thin, with moments like sleeping on couches and loaning money when times were tough. 

“I’ve slept on their couches when I was broke," he said. "They loaned me money when I was broke. And we’re all really close, and I just thought basically if I get hit by a bus, they’re all in the will. So why the f*** am I waiting to get hit by a bus?”

Don't Miss:

• WealthTech startup unlocks a $33 trillion home equity market and you can own a stake in it with just $250.
• This startup coined “eBay for gamers” with a breathtaking track record has opened up a window to invest in its future growth.

This reflection set the stage for Clooney’s grand gesture in 2013, when he decided to give 14 of his closest friends $1 million each in cash, as a token of his gratitude for the unwavering support they had provided him throughout his career. At that time, Clooney, having just met his future wife, Amal, and with no children, felt a profound sense of appreciation for these friendships that had been his support system during his struggles and successes.

The film “Gravity,” which turned out to be more profitable than anticipated, played a key role in enabling Clooney’s generosity. Instead of a traditional payment, Clooney and others involved received percentages of the movie’s profits, resulting in a significant windfall for the actor. This financial boon inspired him to think about how he could repay those who had stood by him during his toughest times.

Trending: The average American has $65,100 in their savings account — How do you compare?

To accomplish his unique show of gratitude, Clooney orchestrated a plan reminiscent of a heist movie. He sourced the cash from a vault in downtown Los Angeles, using an old van with “Florist” signage to transport the money discreetly. He then filled 14 Tumi suitcases with $1 million in cash each and invited his friends over, presenting them with the money as a tangible expression of his appreciation for their years of friendship and support.

Rande Gerber, Clooney’s longtime friend and business partner, later shared details of the event with MSNBC in 2017, underscoring how the act reflected Clooney’s character. Beyond the financial gift, Clooney assured his friends of his ongoing support in their lives, touching on significant concerns like their children’s education and mortgage payments.

The same year Clooney made his $14 million gesture of generosity, he, Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman founded Casamigos Tequila. Initially launched as a private label to share with friends and family, Casamigos quickly turned into a public brand by 2013. Their venture into the tequila business culminated in 2017, when Clooney and his partners sold Casamigos to Diageo for up to $1 billion, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. 

Read Next: 

• Fortnite’s creator company greenlights partial ownership for up to 100 accredited investors in the upcoming series.
• Harvard-founded AI startup is solving paywalls, growing 5x yearly and looking for new shareholders.