George Clooney reportedly can be really quite generous with a group of close friends he calls “The Boys.” Designer suitcases full of cash friendly, in fact.
E! News reported Tuesday that Rande Gerber, a close friend and business partner of the movie star’s, says on one occasion in 2013 Mr. Clooney threw a dinner party that concluded with the rather unconventional parting gift, totaling $1 million per guest.
“George begins to say, ’Listen, I want you guys to know how much you’ve meant to me and how much you mean to me in my life. I came to L.A., I slept on your couch. I’m so fortunate in my life to have all of you, and I couldn’t be where I am today without all of you,’” Mr. Gerber said, according to E! News.
“Every one of us — 14 of us — got a million dollars. Every single one of us. We’re in shock. Like, what is this?” Mr. Gerber said. “He goes, ’I know we’ve all been through some hard times, some of you are still going through it. You don’t have to worry about your kids, you don’t have to worry about, you know, school, you don’t have to worry about paying your mortgage.’ “
At least one guest at the time was quite down on his luck, Mr. Gerber noted.
“One was working at a bar in Texas at the airport, trying just to support his family,” he said. “Rides a bicycle to work every day. I mean these are guys that took care of George and now he’s giving it all back. And George said, ’Not only that, I have paid everyone’s taxes so this million dollars is yours.’”
For his part Mr. Gerber said he initially refused to take the cash but accepted on Mr. Clooney’s insistence, donating it to a charity.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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