A devastating loss
It is truly heartbreaking news coming out of Hollywood. George Clooney has spoken out about the tragic passing of Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of his close friends and business partners, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. Presley, who had been vocal about his long-term battle with addiction, passed away from a suspected overdose on September 20.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at The Albies on October 9, Clooney, who co-founded Casamigos Tequila with Rande, shared his grief. "Quite honestly, it's one of the most devastating things that's happened to our family," he said, adding that the situation is "the worst thing that could ever happen with family." The actor is lowkey holding his friends close as they process this nightmare, and the vibes are obviously heavy for everyone who knew Presley.
Honoring Presley's journey
Presley was well-regarded for being incredibly open about his personal struggles. His sister, Kaia Gerber, recently shared with Vogue how their family dynamic was impacted by his journey. She praised her brother for his "Mental Health Mondays" social media series, which he started in 2023 to help others by being transparent about his own tools for wellbeing.
Even in his final months, Presley was main character energy when it came to his recovery, publicly documenting his use of ibogaine treatment in March to combat addiction. His parents were right there with him, with Cindy Crawford calling him a "warrior" and Rande Gerber noting the immense strength it took for his son to find his way back to himself.
Why it matters
The loss of Presley Gerber has brought the conversation around addiction and family mental health to the forefront. By choosing to be "very human" and refusing to be ashamed of his journey, Presley became a teacher for many, proving that there is no shame in asking for help. Our thoughts are with the Gerber family as they navigate this unimaginable loss.
