The grieving parents’ oldest friends could not take away their pain, but they could make certain they did not have to carry it without familiar arms around them.
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George and Amal Clooney were photographed arriving at Kaia Gerber’s Los Angeles home on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, only two days after her brother, Presley Gerber, died at 27.
The couple’s subdued appearance reflected the gravity of the visit, but the private ways they have reportedly been caring for Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber revealed just how deeply this loss has reached into their own family.
Presley Gerber flashed a relaxed smile at the world premiere of “Palm Royale” on March 14, 2024, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California. Opting for a casual edge, he paired a black jacket over a dark gray tee, putting his distinct neck tattoos and a silver hoop earring on display. | Source: Getty Images
A Friendship Built Over Decades Faced Its Most Painful Day
George, 65, and Rande, 64, have shared a friendship stretching back to the mid-1990s, when they met at The Whiskey, a bar Rande owned inside New York City’s Paramount Hotel. George was filming in the city at the time, and the connection they formed soon grew far beyond occasional Hollywood dinners.
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After Rande married Cindy, now 60, in 1998, George became part of their family life. He was there as Presley, born in 1999, and Kaia, born in 2001, grew up, eventually earning the affectionate title of “Uncle George.”
Cindy Crawford brought her two children, Presley Walker Gerber and Kaia Jordan Gerber, along for Miley Cyrus’ “Sweet 16” celebration at Disneyland on October 5, 2008, in Anaheim, California. The supermodel wrapped her arms around her little ones while wearing a one-shoulder teal top, dark skinny jeans, and open-toe heels, flanked by a young Presley in a graphic tee and Kaia smiling sweetly in a black tank and gray trousers. | Source: Getty Images
Longtime friends Cindy Crawford, George Clooney, and Rande Gerber came together for the Los Angeles premiere of “Jay Kelly” at Chateau Marmont on November 11, 2025. Posing closely with drinks in hand, Cindy stunned in an off-the-shoulder navy ruched long-sleeve dress paired with a metallic clutch, flanked by Clooney and husband Rande, who both looked dapper in dark tailored suits. | Source: Getty Images
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The families spent relaxed evenings together at George’s former Studio City home and at the Gerbers’ Malibu property. They shared meals and swam together, while trips to Italy and Mexico gave George the chance to know Presley as a person rather than simply as his best friend’s son.
“George was around Presley a lot when he was growing up, he was Uncle George and they were all pals, really like family,” a source told the Daily Mail.
Close pals Rande Gerber and George Clooney kept it smart-casual for a dinner outing at Nobu on September 14, 2024, in Malibu, California. Strolling side by side into the evening, Rande rocked a navy jacket over an open-collared navy shirt, trousers, and light blue sneakers, while Clooney sported a black polo paired with light gray chinos, tan suede shoes, and his phone in hand. | Source: Getty Images
Rande and George also entered business together, co-founding Casamigos tequila with Mike Meldman in 2013. In March 2026, the longtime friends expanded their partnership by launching the non-alcoholic beer company Crazy Mountain.
Yet their bond was always larger than business. George did not welcome his own children, twins Alexander and Ella, with Amal until 2017, and his relationship with Presley had already been growing for years by then.
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Casamigos co-founders Rande Gerber and George Clooney got hands-on ahead of the spooky season on October 30 in Los Angeles, California. Perched on blue step ladders in matching casual tees, jeans, and neck gaiters, the longtime business partners held paintbrushes and cans to put finishing touches on an elaborate Halloween-themed truck mural featuring their motorcycle-riding likenesses and skeletal art. | Source: Getty Images
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That bond became especially meaningful during Presley’s struggles. George reportedly spent hours speaking with him, offering guidance after his 2018 DUI and later sending him loving notes reminding him, “I am here for you.”
The “Ocean’s Eleven” actor had also spoken openly about his own experiences with substances as a young actor in the early 1980s, although he said it never became a serious problem for him. According to the source, that experience allowed him to discuss serious topics candidly with Presley, without judgment or distance.
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Those conversations could not erase Presley’s illness, but they showed the affection behind the nickname he had given George. And their history explains why the actor and his wife were among the first people to offer them support.
Their Somber Expressions Revealed the Weight of Their Visit
On Sunday, September 20, Presley was found unresponsive at Resolutions Living in Santa Monica, California, where he had been receiving treatment. Police said officers responded to a report of a possible overdose at approximately 9:35 a.m.
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Emergency workers attempted to save him, but he was pronounced dead at the facility. Authorities said there was no indication of foul play, while his official cause and manner of death remained under investigation.
Two days later, George and Amal, 48, arrived at Kaia’s home in a black SUV. George waited beside the open rear passenger door as Amal prepared to step out, the couple appearing painfully aware that no conversation could repair what had happened.
Captured in classic black and white on a vintage analogue camera, George Clooney proudly held his Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 83rd International Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2026, at Venice Lido. The acclaimed actor and filmmaker strode across the festival stage in a dapper tuxedo, bow tie, and patent leather dress shoes, smiling broadly as he carried the prestigious statuette past the event’s backdrop. | Source: Getty Images
George wore a fitted black crew-neck T-shirt with muted steel-blue trousers and dark aviator-style sunglasses. His mouth was firmly closed as he looked directly toward the photographers, his expression sharp, watchful, and unmistakably solemn.
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Amal remained partly inside the vehicle in understated dark clothing and sunglasses. Her long brunette hair fell forward as she lowered her face, holding a phone and small clutch while quietly gathering herself before entering the house.
According to Page Six, the visit centered on giving Cindy and Rande room to speak, cry, or simply sit with people who had loved Presley throughout his life. “It was less about talking and more about just listening, comforting Cindy and Rande and being there for them,” a source said.
“There really aren’t any words that can make something like this better. They just wanted to be there for their friends and let them talk about whatever they needed to,” the source added.
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The couple reportedly also sent meals to the family and offered help wherever it might be needed. Flowers also began arriving at the Gerber home as those closest to them tried to surround the family with care during these past few days.
George’s commitment is said to extend far beyond the first days of mourning. The insider explained that he intends to remain beside Cindy and Rande through the months and years ahead, when public attention has moved elsewhere, but the empty place in their family remains.
Double-date glamour took over the New York Public Library as George Clooney, Amal Clooney, Cindy Crawford, and Rande Gerber gathered for the Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards on September 29, 2022, in New York City. The power couples posed together in striking black-tie style: George and Rande looked polished in sharp black suiting, while Amal dazzled in a shimmering gold beaded fringe gown beside Cindy, who stunned in an elegant draped black dress. | Source: Getty Images
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George and Amal were reportedly devastated themselves. Presley had been present throughout their lives for so long that his death did not feel like a tragedy happening to distant friends. The insider added, “He always saw Cindy and Rande as having this beautiful family, and he can’t begin to imagine what they’re going through right now.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, another source described the death as a “tremendous gut punch” for George. Presley had felt almost like a second son to him, although those around the actor emphasized that George would never try to place his own sorrow above the anguish of Presley’s parents and sister.
Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, George Clooney, and Amal Clooney made a glamorous foursome at the American Film Institute’s 46th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute honoring George on June 7, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. Posing closely in a timeless black-and-white portrait, Cindy turned heads in a one-shoulder white gown beside Rande in a sharp suit and open collar, while George looked dashing in a classic tuxedo and bow tie with his arm around Amal, who stunned in an off-the-shoulder bow dress. | Source: Getty Images
Presley Had Never Stopped Being Deeply Loved
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From the outside, Presley appeared to have been born into a world of extraordinary comfort. He was the son of a supermodel and a successful businessman, raised around famous friends in beautiful homes, yet none of those privileges could protect him from severe anxiety, depression, or addiction.
He reportedly began experiencing serious panic attacks at a young age and required prescription medication to manage them. His teenage and adult years included repeated attempts at rehabilitation and a continuing fight to remain sober.
Presley Gerber gave a bright, charming smile as he arrived at Teen Vogue’s 13th Annual “Young Hollywood” issue launch party on October 2, 2015, in Los Angeles, California. Sporting textured, sun-kissed blonde hair, the teen model embraced an understated look with an open-collar black shirt, a delicate silver chain, and a single stud earring. | Source: Getty Images
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Presley also shared details of the medications and substances he had taken, including those meant to treat his addictions. In 2024, he revealed that he had survived an overdose that left him in a coma for several days. He most recently entered Resolutions Living only hours before he died there.
Those years brought intense worry to Cindy and Rande, but never a withdrawal of their love. A source close to the family said they wanted Presley to become healthy and reach a safer place, remaining devoted to him regardless of the difficulties he faced.
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“There was always concern around Presley,” the source said. “Cindy and Rande loved him tremendously, and they worried about him. They wanted him to be healthy and get to a good place.”
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Presley was a son, a brother, and a young man who had spent years fighting illnesses that could not be softened by the famous faces surrounding him or the beauty of the homes in which he grew up.
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The Public Saw Heartbreak, While His Family Found Steady Hands
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The sight of George and Amal entering Kaia’s home drew an immediate wave of sympathy. On Threads, one commenter wrote, “My heart breaks for them,” while another simply said, “So sad.”
A Facebook commenter responded, “This is so terribly sad.” Another took a sharply different view of George’s visit, writing, “He sure Loves poking his nose where it doesn’t belong [sic].”
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Elsewhere on Facebook, the reactions remained brief but heavy with emotion. One person wrote, “Heartbreaking…” and another added, “So sad🙏🙏.”
For the Gerbers, however, George was not an outsider entering a private family crisis. He was the man Presley Gerber had known as an uncle, the friend Rande had trusted for more than three decades, and someone who had already tried to guide their son through his darkest periods.
The actor and his wife could not arrive with answers, because there were none to give. They came with food, familiar company, and a willingness to listen, then walked into Kaia’s home prepared to share a grief that had already broken the hearts of everyone inside.