When you think of a good friend in life, you always think of someone who has always been there for you, through thick and thin. Good friendship means there is no questioning it, no curiosity of where you stand, and that no matter how much time has passed, you two will always be great buddies. You don’t, however, think of someone who gives you millions of dollars. Sure, we’d all want our best friends to give us some serious cash flow, but, is it realistic? Usually not, I mean, unless George Clooney is one of your best friends.
Whenever I’ve done something nice for my best friends, they usually thank me by sending a heartwarming text message or sometimes sending me flowers or buying me a drink. And, then, I usually think it’s a nice gesture. But, now Clooney has upped the game for good friends and there’s no turning back. According to his business partner and good friend Rande Gerber (he co-founded Clooney’s tequila company Casamigos with him), Clooney once turned 14 of his closest friends into “instant millionaires” in 2013.
Gerber was speaking to MSNBC’s “Headliners,” when Clooney came up and he told the touching story of how he made 14 of his friends basically millionaires at a dinner. Gerber said Clooney had set up a “boys dinner” and left “designer luggage” at each seat at the table. Apparently, when the guys opened their bags, there was $1 million in cash (all $20 bills) in each bag. Talk about very Ocean’s Eleven.
Gerber told the network that some of their friends were “struggling” and going through difficult times trying to make ends meet. Clooney wanted to thank them for all they had done for him in the past when he was trying to get his career up and running. Apparently, Clooney told them:
I want you guys to know how much you’ve meant to me and how much you mean to me in my life. I came to L.A., I slept on your couch. I’m so fortunate in my life to have all of you and I couldn’t be where I am today without all of you.
Gerber told reporters he tried to return the $1 million, but Clooney argued that all 14 of the friends had to take the money and if Gerber didn’t accept it, he wouldn’t want to give it to everyone, as well. So, Gerber was “forced’ into taking the million. Oh, how awful for him…
On top of all of the money, Clooney also paid off all 14 of his friend’s taxes. Imagine that?!? Where do I sign up to be George Clooney’s best friend? And, if not, where do I sign up to be friends with Hollywood’s next “it” guy/girl and allow her to sleep on my own couch, rent-free? Call me.