George Clooney was absent from a press conference for his new film, Jay Kelly, during the second day of Venice Film Festival on Thursday due to a ‘serious sinus infection’.

The actor, 64, unexpectedly cut short his press junket for Noah Baumbach’s competition film on Wednesday and also skipped a dinner with the film’s cast and crew.

His co-stars Eve Hewson, Laura Dern, Riley Keough and Adam Sandler were all in attendance and it’s hoped that George will attend the premiere of the film later in the evening with his wife Amal. 

The conference moderator announced his absence at the photocall, saying: ‘I’m afraid George Clooney is not going to be here, because he has a bad, serious, sinus infection. We hope that he should be on the red carpet tonight.’

Sandler added: ‘Movie stars get sick too’, before Dern chimed in: ‘George is so devastated that he can’t be here.’

The Hollywood legend reportedly started feeling unwell on Wednesday, sources told The Hollywood Reporter, adding he was advised to go ‘home’ and rest ahead of a busy Thursday, which includes the world premiere of the film tonight.

George Clooney, 64, was absent from a press conference for his new film, Jay Kelly, during the second day of Venice Film Festival on Thursday due to a ‘serious sinus infection’ (pictured L-R: Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler, Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer)

The actor unexpectedly cut short his press junket for Noah Baumbach’s competition film on Wednesday and also skipped a dinner with the film’s cast and crew (pictured yesterday)

George and his wife Amal are staying at the Cipriani Hotel in Venice during promotional activities for the Netflix film. 

They were spotted leaving the Excelsior Hotel, where Netflix is based, at around 4pm on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, George and his beloved wife Amal hosted his Jay Kelly co-stars at their $100M Lake Como villa before arriving in Venice.

George welcomed Oscar winner Laura, Barbie director Greta Gerwig, 42, as well as comedy icon Sandler, 58, and actress Eve, daughter of U2’s Bono.

George and Amal, 47, along with their eight-year-old twins Ella and Alexander, treated their guests to a trip on their motorboat as they left their majestic Villa Oleandra for lunch at the exclusive Villa d’Este.

The film is set to hit streaming services on December 5.

Jay Kelly sees George take on the title role of the Hollywood movie star who ‘always plays himself’, weeks after hitting back at claims that he himself lacked onscreen versatility.

Directed by Gerwig’s husband Noah, the trailer sees George’s character questioning his life choices, despite being fawned over by fans and staff. 

His co-stars Eve Hewson (L), Laura Dern (R), Riley Keough and Adam Sandler were all in attendance and it’s hoped that George will attend the premiere of the film later in the evening with his wife Amal

Meanwhile, George’s co-star Riley pulled out all the stops in a leggy LBD before attending the press conference

Speaking at the press conference, Adam quipped ‘Movie stars get sick too’, after a conference moderator announced George’s absence

Emily Mortimer, Eve Hewson, Riley Keough, Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Noah Baumbach, Adam Sandler, Greta Gerwig and Alba Rohrwacher all stood in for main man George (pictured L-R)

The conference moderator announced his absence at the photocall, saying: ‘I’m afraid George Clooney is not going to be here, because he has a bad, serious, sinus infection. We hope that he should be on the red carpet tonight’ (Laura Dern pictured)

Iconic Adam, 58, looked in high spirits at the photocall ahead of the star-studded premiere tonight

Directed by Gerwig’s husband Noah (pictured), the trailer sees George’s character questioning his life choices, despite being fawned over by fans and staff

Greta cut a glam figure in a floral midi skirt and low-cut white blouse as she attended the photocall

Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Noah Baumbach and Adam Sandler posed for a photo at the film festival photocall 

Alba Rohrwacher looked glamorous in a vibrant pale yellow ensemble as she posed at the photocall

George and his wife Amal are staying at the Cipriani Hotel in Venice during promotional activities for the Netflix film, they arrived in the city on Tuesday 9pictured)

On a trip to an Italian film festival in his honour, joined by his devoted manager played by Adam, he’s hailed as the ‘hero of cinema’ before being brutally asked about always playing himself.

To which George’s character snaps back: ‘You know how difficult it is to be yourself? You try it’.

Jay Kelly is seen continuously reminding himself that he is ‘Jay Kelly’ as he and Ron embark on a trip through Europe amid the disappearing appeal of showbiz.

The offical synopsis reads: ‘Famous movie actor Jay Kelly and his devoted manager Ron embark on a whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the legacies they’ll leave behind’.

The star-studded cast also includes Jim Broadbent, Isla Fisher, Billy Crudup as well as British comedian Lenny Henry.

George and Amal arrived in Venice on Tuesday.