George Clooney's Heartbreak Over Presley Gerber's Death: 'Second Son'
The actor expressed profound grief over the loss of Rande and Cindy Crawford's son, with whom he shared a deep, long-standing friendship.
George Clooney was devastated by the death of Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of his close friends Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford. A publicist confirmed that Gerber died on Sunday from a suspected overdose at a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles. Clooney, who considered Gerber like a "second son," was reportedly heartbroken by the news.
Sources close to Clooney revealed his profound agony over Gerber's loss, describing it as a "gut punch." The actor had made "desperate attempts to help him," which tragically ended in disaster, according to reports.
Clooney and Rande Gerber's friendship dates back to the mid-1990s, when Gerber owned a bar called The Whiskey at the Paramount Hotel in New York City. Over the years, this friendship extended to their families, with Clooney becoming a paternal figure to Presley and his sister, Kaia Gerber.
Presley Gerber began appearing on red carpets at a young age alongside his supermodel mother and sister. He followed in his parents' footsteps, pursuing a career in modeling and even appearing in a few acting roles. Despite his privileged upbringing and celebrity connections, Gerber publicly struggled with addiction and mental health issues. He had spoken about his battles, including undergoing a controversial addiction treatment program six months prior to his death.
His death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with many of his celebrity friends, including Paris Hilton and Brooklyn Beckham, sharing tributes to the young model. Nicola Peltz, who was previously linked to Gerber, described him as having the "kindest heart."