George Clooney publicly addressed the death of Presley Gerber for the first time on Friday at The Albies, calling the loss of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s 27-year-old son a devastating tragedy for both families.
Nearly three weeks after Presley Gerber passed away on September 20 at a Santa Monica rehab facility called Resolutions Living, close family friend George Clooney broke his public silence while attending the annual awards ceremony hosted by the Clooney Foundation for Justice alongside his wife, Amal Clooney. The actor, whose bond with the Gerber family spans decades and business ventures, spoke plainly about the profound grief gripping those closest to the late model.
“Quite honestly, it’s one of the most devastating things that’s happened to our family, and their family is just as you can imagine. It’s the worst thing that could ever happen with family.”
George Clooney, actor and family friend
Inside the Clooneys’ Support for Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber
While the public statements came on October 9, the Clooneys’ response began behind closed doors immediately after the tragedy. Following news of Presley’s death from an apparent overdose, George and Amal flew to Los Angeles, where they joined the family and helped with arrangements and daily support.
Sources close to the family revealed that the support structure has been continuous rather than symbolic. Insiders shared that George, Amal, and a small circle of close friends have been taking shifts staying with the household so that Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber are never left alone in their grief. George previously told Presley that he was “here for [him]” amid his struggles with addiction and substance abuse.
Decades of Friendship and Casamigos Tequila
The bond uniting George Clooney, Cindy Crawford, and Rande Gerber runs far deeper than Hollywood circles. The friendship took root in the 1990s after George walked into a New York City bar owned by Gerber while in town filming a movie. That chance meeting over a shared drink sparked a lifelong companionship.
Years later, that personal partnership evolved into a commercial one. In 2013, George, Rande, and Mike Meldman co-founded Casamigos Tequila. What began as a private label for their own consumption turned into a massive enterprise, which they sold four years later for $1 billion. Despite the financial success, the families remained tight-knit, with Presley and his sister Kaia growing up alongside the Clooney household.
Presley Gerber Shared Mental Health Struggles Before Death
Before his death at age 27, Presley had been candid about his decade-long struggle with addiction and mental health challenges. In 2023, he launched a social media series titled Mental Health Mondays
to share coping strategies and build an open dialogue. His younger sister, actress Kaia Gerber, praised his transparency in an interview with Vogue published in August, noting that he chose to be human for others rather than hide behind family privacy.
Authorities and investigators are still examining the circumstances surrounding his death at the Santa Monica rehab facility. While an autopsy has been completed, his official cause of death remains deferred pending further investigation.
Additional Family Context and Ongoing Support
The 65-year-old actor emphasized the deep personal connection he shares with Rande and Cindy, noting that the Oscar winner considers the entire household an extension of his own family. Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford married in 1998 and share two children, Presley and Kaia. Following the tragic events of September 20, friends and family members have rallied closely around the couple and their 25-year-old daughter.
Sources close to the situation noted that George is fully committed to standing by his longtime friends not only immediately following the tragedy, but throughout the months and years ahead as they cope with their loss. Representatives for both the Clooney and Gerber families have maintained requests for privacy during the profound period of mourning.