Venice 2026: Honorary Lions for George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn

As the Venice Film Festival gears up for its 83rd edition, slated to open on September 2, anticipation is building with the announcement of two honorary Golden Lions. Renowned American actors George Clooney and Ellen Burstyn will receive these prestigious awards, with Clooney's name revealed on July 6 and Burstyn's on July 14.

The Biennale di Venezia is known for its predictability in awarding honorary titles, contrasting with the Cannes Film Festival, which often surprises with its selections. This year, it seems unlikely that more names will join the ranks of honorees, as Cannes has a history of bestowing an honorary Palme d'Or to a celebrity who happens to be present, as seen with John Travolta's recognition earlier this year.

Since the introduction of the dual honorary Lions in 2014, it marks the third occasion that both recipients are American. Previous winners include notable figures such as editor Thelma Schoonmaker and documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman in 2014, and actors Jane Fonda and Robert Redford in 2017. Interestingly, neither Clooney nor Burstyn has ever collaborated on a film together.

George Clooney (b. 1961)

At 65 years old, George Clooney is poised to complete a remarkable sweep of honorary awards in the film industry. The artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera, is not the first to recognize Clooney's significant contributions to cinema. Prior to receiving the Golden Lion, Clooney has been honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award from the Hollywood Foreign Press in 2015, a César d'honneur in 2017, and the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 2018. He has also won two Oscars: one for Best Supporting Actor in Syriana (2006) and another for producing the Best Picture winner Argo (2013).

Clooney's connection to Italy traces back to 2002 when he purchased a luxurious villa on Lake Como. He has frequently attended the Venice Film Festival, first arriving in 2005 with his second directorial effort, Good Night and Good Luck, which won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for David Strathairn and Best Screenplay. Other films of his that competed at Venice include The Ides of March (2011) and Suburbicon (2017). His recent works, Wolfs and Jay Kelly, premiered at the festival, with the former showcased out of competition in 2024 and the latter competing last year.

Clooney becomes the sixth American recipient of the honorary Golden Lion who has also worked as both an actor and a director, joining the ranks of cinematic legends such as Orson Welles and Clint Eastwood.

Ellen Burstyn (b. 1932)

The announcement of Ellen Burstyn as the second honorary recipient sparked a reaction of surprise, particularly regarding her age. Following Kim Novak's recognition in 2025, Burstyn, at 93, is now the second-oldest recipient of this honor, slightly older than Novak. However, her accolade is not merely due to longevity but rather her illustrious career.

Burstyn's career truly took off after the 1960s, when she transitioned from television roles to film, first gaining attention in The Last Picture Show (1971). She became a household name with her performance in The Exorcist (1973), and she won an Academy Award for Best Actress for Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974).

Throughout her career, Burstyn has collaborated with a variety of directors, including Paul Mazursky, Alain Resnais, and Darren Aronofsky. Her performance in Requiem for a Dream (2000) revitalized her career and showcased her versatility as an actress. In the years since, she has appeared in notable films such as Interstellar and Pieces of a Woman.

Burstyn will receive her Golden Lion during the presentation of the short film Flesh Impact, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, who will also serve as the jury president at this year’s festival. In this film, Burstyn portrays an older Marilyn Monroe, while Dakota Johnson depicts the iconic actress in her youth. Looking ahead, Burstyn is set to star in Place to Be, directed by Kornel Mundruczo, alongside Taika Waititi.