George Clooney's Broadway debut is fueling fresh speculation about strain in his marriage to international human rights attorney Amal Clooney, as the actor embarks on a months-long stage commitment in New York while his wife remains in the United Kingdom for her new academic appointment.
Clooney, 63, who is starring in a stage adaptation of his 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck, joked in a recent interview that he plans to "put [his] wife in the very, very, very back" of the theater so he won't see her while performing. The quip, while seemingly lighthearted, has drawn renewed attention to rumors of distance-both emotional and physical-between the high-profile couple.
The Oscar-winning actor and his wife of nearly ten years have reportedly been navigating long-distance challenges, with George based in the U.S. for his Broadway run and Amal, 47, beginning a new role at Oxford University. "As proud as Amal is that he's making his Broadway dream come true, it hasn't been easy being this long away from each other and they have been drifting apart due to those irregular hours," a source told RadarOnline.com.
Clooney has acknowledged the unusual nature of his new lifestyle. "Growing up in Kentucky, all I wanted to do was get away from a farm, get away from that life. Now I find myself back in that life. I drive a tractor and all those things. It's the best chance of a normal life," he said, referring to time spent at the couple's French estate, which they have developed in recent years as part of their effort to withdraw from Hollywood's spotlight.
Still, those efforts have collided with a slate of new projects that pulled Clooney back into the public eye. A recent collaboration with Brad Pitt on the film Wolfs was reportedly a point of contention. "Amal wasn't happy about him teaming up with Brad... It wasn't a very comfortable situation for her. It's safe to say she's secretly pleased there's no sequel," a source said.
The couple shares 7-year-old twins Ella and Alexander. According to insiders, Clooney asked Amal to consider relocating with the children during his six-month Broadway run, a proposal that disrupted her own professional commitments. "George can sense her disappointment. They've gone through rocky patches before, and he's always convinced her not to divorce him. He's just hoping this time will be no different," a source told RadarOnline.com.
Despite the tensions, insiders say Amal continues to support George's artistic pursuits. "One of the things George always loved about Amal is she never boxed him in as 'just an actor.' She's always been hugely influential in getting him to try new things, from politics to writing and now theater," the source said.
Still, recent public appearances have added fuel to the speculation. During a holiday trip to St. Tropez, the couple was photographed appearing tense. "Neither of them looked happy," an onlooker said. "As soon as they realized they were being photographed, he reached for her, but it did look like they'd had some kind of issue between them."
Clooney's concerns appear to be mounting. A separate source added: "He's been concerned about his marriage and wondering if doing this play was a good move. He was a bit red-faced that he couldn't last even a month without her, but now he's more worried about how this might impact his marriage in the long run."
While this is not the first time Clooney and Amal have navigated long-distance or career-driven challenges, sources suggest the current situation may be one of their most prolonged separations. As Clooney's Broadway commitment continues, observers remain watchful for signs of reconciliation-or further signs of strain.
