George Clooney opens up about the disease for the first

George Clooney opens up about the disease for the first time: “I had a paralyzed face” Tell

It seemed to be one of those classic interviews full of irony and wit George Clooney on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but the Hollywood star surprised everyone with a revelation that left the host and guests stunned. While showing some footage depicting him as a child and teenager, the actor admitted that due to a certain situation, he had half his face paralyzed for a while inflammatory disease affecting the facial nerve.

George Clooney opens up about the illness as a child

Everyone loves George Clooney, an actor who literally made us fall in love with his blockbuster movies and more. The couple formed with his beloved Amal Alamuddin is one of the most glamorous and beautiful of all time, but undoubtedly part of their very romantic marriage is the ironic attitude and the will to do good by helping those less fortunate. A mix of qualities that, to be honest, we just can’t argue with.

But as so often, even in the Past of a “perfect” man like Clooney there are shadows. While guest-starring last Thursday on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a hugely successful show in the US celebrating its 20th anniversary this year (guests include the Måneskin), the Hollywood star stunned everyone with an unexpected statement . It was one of those classic moments when host Jimmy Kimmel he likes to make fun of the guest shows some footage from the past. In this case, it was just photos of an aspiring George in his early teens, with a seventies look and big glasses that made him downright funny (but still endearing).

Between the jokes, Clooney grabbed one of the shots and showed the difference between one half of his face and the other: “Now wait, I want you to point at something because you’re going to laugh, you’re going to make a joke. I have Bell’s Palsy there and half my face is paralyzed“. Not even Jimmy Kimmel could joke about something so sad and unexpected.

What is Bell’s palsy that George Clooney suffered from?

The particular condition that Clooney suffered from as a child is none other than a sudden inflammation of the seventh facial nerve of unknown cause, the main consequence of which is precisely that of literally “lock” the facial muscles. Bell’s palsy is not to be underestimated and we can only imagine what it might have meant to a little boy who should only be enjoying his prime at this age.

It was a blow for Clooney, and not just because of that disabling symptoms illness. He could not keep his eye wide open or move his facial muscles, making it virtually impossible for him to express even the simplest emotion. Smiling was an effort and he wasn’t good at it either.

Only on one previous occasion had the actor spoken about what defined him “The worst time of my life”, marked by shame and bullying at school. “You know how cruel children can be – he confessed to the Chron -. I was laughed at and mocked, but the experience made me stronger.”