George Clooney reveals he resented Brad Pitt for years after losing the pivotal J.D. role in ‚Thelma & Louise‘ that launched Pitt’s film career.
George Clooney reflected on how he felt about losing a pivotal role to Brad Pitt in the earlier years of his career.
During a recent interview with The Times, the 64-year-old actor revealed that he once came close to landing the role of J.D. — the charming drifter played by Brad Pitt — in the 1991 classic „Thelma & Louise.“
„I got to the final test for a role in ‘Thelma & Louise.’ And, motherf—–, Brad got it“, Clooney said.
The role of J.D. became Pitt’s breakout performance and turned him into a movie star almost overnight — while Clooney, at the time, was still best known for television work.
In „Thelma & Louise“, sheltered housewife Thelma Dickinson (Geena Davis) and her best friend, independent waitress Louise Sawyer (Susan Sarandon), first encounter J.D. at a roadside motel after fleeing the scene of a crime.
Thelma, who is unhappily married to the controlling Darryl (Christopher McDonald), is seduced and betrayed by J.D., triggering the series of events that lead to the movie’s iconic ending.
After its release, „Thelma & Louise“ became a critical and commercial hit and the role of J.D. launched Pitt to stardom.
Meanwhile, Clooney became a household name a few years later when he played Dr. Doug Ross in the hit television series „ER.“
However, Clooney admitted that he struggled with resentment for years after Pitt was cast as J.D. He told the Times that he was especially frustrated at the time because he believed he could have made his breakthrough into movies if he had landed the role.
