Amal Clooney playfully addresses 'defamatory' Brad Pitt over tribute to husband George


The Ocean's Eleven co-stars have been close friends for several years, and mark their friendship by frequently poking fun at each other in public


George and Amal Clooney at the 2026 Albies; Brad Pitt at the 74th San Sebastian International Film Festival© Getty Images
Ahad Sanwari
Ahad SanwariSenior WriterNew York
1 hour ago

Amal Clooney may have a bone to pick with Brad Pitt when it comes to her husband's skills on the dance floor.

Amal, 48, and George Clooney, 65, attended the 2026 Albies together, the annual fundraising event hosted by The Clooney Foundation for Justice, this year in London.

Amal and George Clooney with their arms around each other © Getty Images
Amal Clooney called out her husband's best friend for not rating his dancing accurately

Also at the event were George's best friend Brad, 62, with his longtime partner Ines de Ramon, and when asked about a recent tribute to George from Brad, Amal quickly called his bluff.

Brad Pitt's tribute to George Clooney

At the recent Venice Film Festival, George was presented with the Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement, with his Jay Kelly co-star Laura Dern introducing him, while also reading out a message from Brad, who couldn't attend.

Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: George Clooney reveals the extent of Brad Pitt’s pranks

Using their usual playful banter to his advantage, the Moneyball star showered his friend to praise…except when it came to his dance skills. "He can do, perform, accomplish, compete at most anything and does it better than any of us, but please, keep him off the dance floor," Laura read out.

"He doesn't know. And now, this pigeon-toed kid from Kentucky, elder statesman, who when you can't get Brad Pitt you know Clooney will show up because he never met an award he wouldn't run to, is getting a lifetime achievement award? So why? Why do we love George Clooney," it continued.

George and Amal Clooney's response

When George and Amal were asked about the tribute at The Albies by Entertainment Tonight, the latter just gasped and replied: "Not true! This is defamatory, and it's wrong."

Amal Clooney attends The Clooney Foundation For Justice's The Albies 2026 at Natural History Museum on October 09, 2026 in London, England.  (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)© Getty Images
"Not true! This is defamatory, and it's wrong," she joked.

The Syriana star then playfully added: "He's such a jealous man, he's just got to let it go. That guy, I've out-danced him on the dance floor," with his human rights lawyer wife chuckling beside him. When George was asked "what is Brad bad at," he quipped: "Telling stories about me, clearly!"

George and Brad's friendship

The two stars have been close friends for decades, spanning as far back as apparently both trying out for the same role in 1991's Thelma & Louise. And they've worked together multiple times, most notably in the Ocean's franchise, and most recently in the 2024 thriller Wolfs.

Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon attend the 2026 Albies, hosted by The Clooney Foundation for Justice at the Natural History Museum on October 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images for The Clooney Foundation for Justice)© Getty Images
Brad and his girlfriend Ines de Ramon were at The Albies as well

Of course, their friendship also comes with a never-ending prank war, which George shared some insight into ahead of their latest film's release. Defining why he thinks of him as a "brutal" prankster, he told ExtraTV: "Well, because my pranks, they could take forever."

"But his pranks cut to the bone. Like, they hurt. Like, I can't go home to my hometown because he's done something to me. They're dirty, dirty tricks." He also jokingly referred to Brad as "pretty boy Pitt."

photo of george clooney and brad pitt laughing on red carpet© Getty Images
George and Brad have been close friends for decades, with all the ribbing that entails

He continued the bit with: "I don't know if you've seen him up close lately. He doesn't look so good. But with makeup and visual effects, we're able to save him."

More US
See more
Conversation

For more information on our conversation section, please read our Community Guidelines. Comments featured and views shared are not endorsed by HELLO!.