George Clooney Offered Advice to Presley Gerber Before His Death

George Clooney offered words of support and advice to Presley Gerber in the period leading up to the 27-year-old model's death, according to reports.

Clooney, whom Presley and his sister Kaia Gerber affectionately called "Uncle George," maintained a close bond with the young model. A source close to the actor told the Daily Mail that Clooney "would spend hours talking to Presley" and assured him that he was "here for [him]."

Presley and Kaia Gerber are the children of model Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber. Clooney and Rande Gerber are co-founders of the tequila company Casamigos.

According to the source, Clooney's advice to Presley included cautions about his behavior, particularly after Gerber received a DUI in 2018. "Don’t do that, it’s not smart. Be careful,'" the source recalled Clooney telling him. More recently, Clooney's messages were described as "loving notes like, ‘I am here for you.’"

Another source close to Clooney's wife, Amal, stated that Clooney and Presley "had a bond" and that Presley was "more than just a friend’s kid."

Insiders suggest that Clooney's own past experiences with substances informed his guidance to Presley, with the actor reportedly advising him to "stay clean." The source noted that Clooney, having experimented with drugs himself, felt he could speak openly with Presley on the matter.

Presley's death, which occurred at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California, reportedly came as a "major shock" to Clooney. "George is sick over this because Rande is his best friend and everyone felt for Presley," one insider commented. "There is no anger or shame, just deep sadness. Presley had a real problem with depression and anxiety."

A different source described Presley's death as a "tremendous gut punch" for Clooney, adding, "George wears his heart on his sleeve, and he really, really loved Presley."

Presley Gerber's death was confirmed by his family, who requested privacy. He had reportedly entered the rehabilitation facility days prior to his death, acknowledging a need for help. However, sources indicated he did not appear sober upon arrival, and had struggled with depression and anxiety. "He had not been doing well," a source stated. "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."