Biden Gets Big Laugh With George Clooney Dad Joke at White House Event for Kennedy Center Honors
President Joe Biden got a big laugh with a familiar dad joke as he feted Hollywood superstar George Clooney at the White House ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors.
The president gave a speech in the East Room of the White House at the annual WH reception for the honorees.
Those honorees included Clooney, singer-songwriter Amy Grant; legendary soul singer Gladys Knight, composer, conductor, and educator Tania León, and Irish rock band U2, comprised of band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.
Clooney was the first to be honored in Biden’s speech, and the president opened with a joke that appeared to kill despite — or perhaps because of — the fact that it was a version of one of Biden’s most well-worn gags:
We see Amal Clooney’s husband. (Laughter.) George is one of the most celebrated actors, directors, producers, and screenwriters of our time. Two Academy Awards. One of only three people nominated in six different categories. A — you know, he portrays iconic characters: an heroic doctor, a daring astronaut, a wise-cracking con-man. The list goes on.
I res- — one thing I respect most about George — and I mean this sincerely — is his deep empathy. He’s never forgotten before the fame, back home, what it was like back in Kentucky and Ohio as a kid. A kid with dyslexia. A college dropout figuring out life.
After missing his dream of playing baseball for the Cincinnati Reds — you think he’s joking; I’m not joking — he chases a new dream in Hollywood. Working on a tobacco farm to earn some scratch. Sleeping in his friend’s closet with nowhere to go until he finally gets his break.
No matter where he is or what he does, he always remembers where he came from. You know, he’s the son of Nick and Nina, both of who are here tonight. Nick and Nina, raise your hands please. (Applause.)
Dad is a reporter. And Mom, a councilwoman. But Mom looks more like his sister. (Laughter.) They taught George and his big sister that the life spent challenging the powerful on behalf of the powerless is a life of purpose.
He travels to warzones to end genocides and war crimes, exposes war profiteers, helps refugees, and advances the rights of journalists. Raises millions of dollars to support 9/11 first responders; victims of natural disaster; and advocates — and advocates who, along with him, are combatting hate.
Mentors — he mentors these — those historic kids from Parkland on their march and their lives — against gun violence. I met with every one of those kids, and they really appreciate what you did, George. Not a joke.
He knows the work remains unfinished, yet he is unrelenting and undaunted. That’s character in real life. And that’s George Clooney. (Applause.)
Watch above via CNN.
