Clooney pays tribute to Jerry Weintraub

George Clooney feels like he has lost a friend following producer Jerry Weintraub’s death.

The legendary producer passed away on Monday aged 77. Jerry worked on a number of highly successful films and TV shows, including Ocean’s Eleven, which starred George. The 54-year-old was one of the first stars to pay tribute to his late colleague.

“In the coming days there will be tributes, about our friend Jerry Weintraub. We’ll laugh at his great stories, and applaud his accomplishments,” he said in a statement. “And in the years to come the stories and accomplishments will get better with age, just as Jerry would have wanted it. But not today. Today our friend died. To his family and friends, Amal and I send our love. And to those who didn’t know him we send our deepest sympathy. You would have loved him.”

TMZ was first to report news of his death, with his rep later confirming that he had passed away from cardiac arrest in Santa Barbara, California.

As well as working on Ocean’s Eleven, Jerry was behind classic movies including The Karate Kid as well as more recent successes such as Behind the Candelabra, which starred Michael Douglas. He also worked on TV programmes, such as current HBO series The Brink which stars Tim Robbins and Jack Black.

George’s Ocean’s Eleven co-star’s Brad Pitt and Don Cheadle also paid tribute to Jerry.

“He was an absolute original. I loved him and will genuinely miss him,” Brad said in a statement, while Don wrote: “Jerry was to me equal parts Godfather, rainmaker, caretaker, PT Barnum and friend. I am happier for having known him. He will be sorely missed."

He is survived by his wife Jane, whom he married in 1964, and his four children: Michael, Julie, Jamie, and Jody.