George and Amal Clooney made a striking appearance at the 51st Chaplin Award Gala on Monday evening, where George stood up for Jimmy Kimmel against criticism from President Donald Trump.
The 62-year-old actor was accompanied by Amal, his 45-year-old wife and renowned human rights lawyer, who captured attention in a vibrant fuchsia dress. George was honored at the event for his significant contributions to the film industry.
During the gala, Clooney addressed political issues, particularly defending late-night host Kimmel. Trump had recently demanded ABC fire Kimmel following a joke about Melania Trump, suggesting she “had the glow of an expectant widow.”
Kimmel had made this quip just two days before a tragic shooting took place at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on a Saturday night.
In a related incident, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, prior to the dinner, commented that “there will be some shots fired tonight in the room” in anticipation of Trump’s upcoming speech that evening.
Responding on Monday, Clooney, according to Variety, remarked, “Jimmy’s a comedian, and I would argue that Karoline Leavitt didn’t mean literal shots. It was a joke. Fair enough. But the rhetoric is a little dangerous, and we’ve seen it a lot lately.”
George Clooney, 64, and Amal Clooney, 48, attended the 51st Chaplin Award Gala on Monday night, where the actor defended Jimmy Kimmel against President Donald Trump
The leading man and the human rights activist cozied up on the red carpet as they posed for photos
Clooney touched on politics at the event, coming to late night host Kimmel’s defense amid Trump’s latest call for ABC to fire him after a joke he made about wife Melania
Elsewhere in his speech, the legendary actor stated, ‘When one side is calling anyone they disagree with traitors to the country – which is a charge that’s punishable by death – just because they don’t agree with someone, I think the rhetoric is a little too heated.’
He argued that the over-the-top rhetoric ‘can be toned down.’
The silver screen star also referenced his 92-year-old father, Nick Clooney, who was a journalist.
‘My father’s rule when we were growing up was to challenge people with more power,’ he recalled.
‘That’s always been our mantra. That’s what my sister and I believed, and what my mother and father believed in. It’s served us well. It’s gotten us in trouble, and that’s a good thing.’
The father of two went on to advocate for a free and fair press.
He told the audience, ‘I always have faith in the press. I always believe in it. I’m the son of a journalist, you know?’
Clooney emphasized, ‘I also think that you’re not supposed to have a good relationship with government. You’re supposed to be questioning them. The people that I support, the Democrats – so, I’m a Democrat. I make no apologies for it.’
Amal was typically stunning as she modeled a chic, fuchsia, off-the-shoulder dress with an asymmetric hemline
The mother of two showed off her long legs in the fashion-forward ensemble
Her outfit was punctuated with a pair of pointed-toe metallic gold heels
Stephen Colbert was a gala presenter, 11 years after Clooney was his first guest on the Late Show
Julianna Margulies, who starred with Clooney on the drama series ER early in his career, also presented
Clooney’s O Brother, Where Art Thou co-star John Turturro also took the stage
Clooney touched on politics during his speech at the gala
He continued, ‘The people that I support – Bill Clinton, Barack Obama – they didn’t enjoy getting chased down by reporters. People in power don’t like to have to answer all the questions in the world. That’s fair. They shouldn’t enjoy it.
‘And the reporters should make sure that they hold people’s feet to the fire. That’s the rules. That’s what Jefferson talked about in 1787. We need to be able to have a free and fair press,’ he said.
Clooney looked handsome in a black tuxedo with a white shirt and black bowtie. Meanwhile, Amal was typically stunning as she modeled a chic, fuchsia, off-the-shoulder dress with an asymmetric hemline.
The mother of two, who shares eight-year-old fraternal twins Alexander and Ella with her husband, showed off her long legs in the fashion-forward ensemble.
Her outfit was punctuated with a pair of pointed-toe metallic gold heels.
The British-Lebanese beauty looked radiant as she coordinated her footwear with a matching clutch and dangling gold earrings.
Her long, brunette locks were styled in a sweeping updo with loose, face-framing pieces left out at the front.
Clooney’s graying hair was cut short, and the Hollywood vet was clean-shaven for his special night.
Grant Heslov (L), who is known for his acting, writing and producing collaborations with Clooney, joined him and Stephen Colbert (center) backstage
The filmmaker held his wife’s hand after receiving his honor
Stephen Colbert was a gala presenter, 11 years after Clooney was his first guest on The Late Show
George gave off a sheepish grin as he and Amal dined at the Gala
Richard Kind caught up with Stephen Colbert and his wife Evenlyn McGee-Colbert during the dinner portion of the gala
Clooney’s former ER colleague Julianna Margulies looked elegant in a tiered black semi-sheer dress
Kiera Chaplin stood out in a sleek coral-colored dress with lustrous golden heels
Richard Kind favored a classic black tux with a bow tie
Sam Rockwell also went with a classic tux, though he favored a double-breasted jacket
John Turturro, who starred with Clooney in the Coen brothers’ classic O Brother, Where Art Thou?, wore a navy suit with a black tie
Samantha Barry looked playful in a pale lavender dress with feather decorating her neckline and skirt
Clooney was joined on the red carpet by (L–R) Mariko Silver, Daniel Battsek and Daniel H. Stern
The star-packed annual fundraiser was hosted at Film at Lincoln Center.
Past recipients of the award include Pedro Almodóvar, Viola Davis, Cate Blanchett, Spike Lee, Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Sidney Poitier, Alfred Hitchcock, and Billy Wilder.
Monday’s event was attended by famous faces, including John Turturro, Julianna Margulies, and Richard Kind.
Stephen Colbert was a gala presenter, 11 years after Clooney was his first guest on The Late Show.
Margulies, who starred with Clooney on the drama series ER early in his career, also presented.
