George Clooney reportedly told Presley Gerber he was “here for [him]” before the young model’s tragic death at age 27.
Clooney, whom Presley and his sister, Kaia Gerber, affectionately referred to as “Uncle George,” offered Presley advice throughout his life, according to the Daily Mail.
A source close to the “Ocean’s Eleven” actor, 65, told the outlet that he “would spend hours talking to Presley.”
“George is the nicest guy in the world and would do anything to help Rande’s family,” the source said.
Presley and Kaia, 25, are the children of supermodel Cindy Crawford, 60, and Rande Gerber, 64, with whom Clooney co-founded tequila company Casamigos.
“Especially after Presley got a DUI (in 2018), George would advise, ‘Don’t do that, it’s not smart. Be careful,’” the source continued. “More recently, George shared loving notes like, ‘I am here for you,’ that kind of stuff.”
Another source close to Clooney’s wife, Amal, told the Daily Mail that Clooney and Presley were “close,” adding, “Presley was more than just a friend’s kid. They had a bond.”
Page Six has reached out to representatives for Clooney but did not immediately hear back.
An insider close to the “ER” alum said that his message to Presley was always, “stay clean,” given “his own experiences with substances.”
“He was never addicted, but he tried it and he knows about the attraction to drugs, so he could talk openly with Presley about this and Presley could relate,” the insider said, per the Daily Mail.
Presley’s death reportedly came as a “major shock” to Clooney, with another insider telling the outlet, “George is sick over this because Rande is his best friend and everyone felt for Presley.”
“There is no anger or shame, just deep sadness. Presley had a real problem with depression and anxiety. No one can fault him for that. Presley was living a nightmare,” the insider added.
Another source told the Daily Mail that Presley’s death was also a “tremendous gut punch” for Clooney.
“George wears his heart on his sleeve, and he really, really loved Presley,” the source said. “He knew Presley had his struggles, so while you can’t say something like this was completely unimaginable, that doesn’t make it any less shocking or devastating.
“It was an incredibly painful and unwanted surprise.”
Presley died of a suspected overdose Sunday at Resolutions Living’s $7.7 million facility in Santa Monica, California, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
His family confirmed the news in a joint statement, writing, “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”
A source later told Page Six that Presley had entered the facility just days before his death because “he knew he needed help,” but reportedly “did not appear sober” when he arrived.
“He had not been doing well,” the source said. “He’s always suffered from a huge lack of self-esteem and had trouble accepting his real self and feeling fully confident in who he was as a person.”
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