George Clooney's relationship with Italy, particularly Venice and Lake Como, has become legendary, marked by memorable moments at the Venice Film Festival and a deep personal connection to the country. This year, in 2025, is no exception, as Clooney returns to the Lido with Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly," adding another chapter to his ongoing Italian story.

Clooney's history with the Venice Film Festival stretches back 27 years, to 1998, when he attended with the film "Out of Sight". That premiere may have marked the beginning of his love affair with the city. Twenty years ago, in 2005, he debuted his film "Good Night, and Good Luck" at the festival, earning his first best director nomination. In 2014, Venice was the location for his wedding to Amal Alamuddin, a celebration held at the Aman Venice, a five-star hotel on the Grand Canal.

Beyond the festival, Clooney's presence in Italy is strongly linked to Lake Como, where he owns a 15-bedroom villa. His residence, Villa Oleandra, is located in Laglio, a village on the western shore of Lake Como. He acquired the villa in 2001 after a cinematic encounter involving a Harley-Davidson breakdown outside its gates. Over time, Clooney's Lake Como home has become a familiar sight for paparazzi and fans, further cementing his status as a prominent figure in the Italian landscape.

Clooney's appearances at the Venice Film Festival have provided many memorable moments. In 2003, the Coen brothers' "Intolerable Cruelty," starring Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones, premiered at the festival. In 2007, Clooney received an Oscar nomination for his role in "Michael Clayton," which played in competition at Venice. In 2011, "The Ides of March," directed by Clooney, was also presented. "Gravity" opened the 70th Venice Film Festival in 2013, with Clooney attending alongside Sandra Bullock. Even when the focus was not directly on him, such as in 2023 when Amal Clooney received an award for her work as a human rights lawyer, the couple's presence added significant star power to the event.

This year, the 82nd Venice Film Festival is rolling out the red carpet for Clooney, alongside Julia Roberts and other A-listers. Clooney stars in Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly," playing a middle-aged movie star, while Roberts makes her Venice debut in Luca Guadagnino's "After the Hunt". The festival is known for showcasing both big-budget films and smaller independent works and serves as a launchpad for potential Oscar winners.

As Clooney continues to grace the Venice Film Festival with his presence and maintain his residence on Lake Como, his "Italian job" remains a captivating and enduring part of his career and personal life.