Shailene Woodley Gets a Surprise Visitor on Broadway – And It’s a Familiar Face!

Shailene Woodley had quite the surprise during a recent performance of her Broadway play Cult of Love. The Divergent actress, now 33, found herself recognizing an unmistakable laugh in the audience—none other than George Clooney, her former co-star from The Descendants. And honestly, who wouldn’t be a little starstruck by that?

Woodley shared the heartwarming moment during an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she recalled the unexpected joy of seeing Clooney in attendance. While some actors might get a little jittery knowing Hollywood royalty is watching them perform live, Woodley embraced the experience—and even admitted it made her better on stage.

Why Shailene Woodley Loves Knowing Who’s in the Audience

Initially, Woodley wasn’t sure if she wanted to know when special guests were coming to see her. “I didn’t think I would want to know before when we first started,” she told Fallon. But as the show went on, she changed her perspective.

She explained that there’s a backstage sign-in sheet where guests can register if they plan to visit afterward. “I remember opening it one day and seeing some names that I recognized, and I was like, ‘Oh!’ The panic set in.”

Despite that initial rush of nerves, she realized that knowing her audience actually helped her performance. “As an actor, there is a little bit of an exhibitionist view that does want to perform a certain way knowing someone else is in the audience,” she said. “You kind of direct a little bit of that energy for them specifically. Or I found that I did, and it actually made me better. So now, I love knowing when people are coming.”

The George Clooney Connection: A Full-Circle Moment

Woodley has had several of her famous friends and former co-stars stop by to see Cult of Love, which officially opened on December 12, 2024, following previews starting November 20. Among them were Zoë Kravitz, Iain Armitage, and Betty Gilpin. But George Clooney’s visit was particularly special.

As soon as she heard his laugh, she knew he was there. “He’s truly one of the greatest human beings,” she gushed. “He’s just the best. I didn’t get nervous having him there—I was excited to have him there. I could hear his laugh at one point because he has such a particular laugh. And I was like, ‘Oh, there’s George somewhere in that area.’”

Woodley and Clooney first worked together in the 2011 film The Descendants, where she played his rebellious teenage daughter. The movie, directed by Alexander Payne, showcased their effortless on-screen chemistry, and their bond clearly carried over into real life. In a 2011 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Woodley reflected on how Clooney quickly became less of a Hollywood icon and more of a regular guy. “We got to know who he was as a person, and he suddenly became just a George and not George Clooney,” she said.

Shailene Woodley: More Than Just an Actress

At 33, Shailene Woodley has built an impressive career spanning film, television, and now Broadway. She first gained widespread recognition for her role as Amy Juergens in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, but her breakout moment came with The Descendants. Since then, she has starred in major films like The Fault in Our Stars, the Divergent series, and Big Little Lies alongside Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon.

Beyond acting, Woodley is known for her advocacy work, particularly around environmental issues and holistic living. She has often spoken about sustainable practices, even making her own toothpaste and cleaning products! As for her personal life, she has kept it relatively private, though she was previously engaged to NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Financially, Woodley has done quite well, with an estimated net worth of around $12 million as of 2025.

George Clooney’s Broadway Debut Is Up Next

While Woodley wraps up her run in Cult of Love on February 2, 2025, Clooney is preparing for a Broadway debut of his own. The Oscar-winning actor will be taking the stage in Good Night, and Good Luck, a stage adaptation of the 2005 film he directed, co-wrote, and starred in. The play, which starts performances on March 12, is based on legendary CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow’s exposé on Senator Joseph McCarthy. Clooney will be stepping into the role of Murrow, marking an exciting new chapter in his already illustrious career.

Tickets Are Still Available!

If you’re in New York and want to catch Cult of Love before it closes, now’s the time! The play, which follows four adult siblings returning to their childhood home for the holidays, has been praised for its emotional depth and stellar performances—especially from Woodley. Tickets are available, but they’re selling out fast!

As for Clooney’s Broadway debut, fans will have to wait a little longer, but it’s already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated theater events of the year.

Whether it’s a surprise visit from a legendary co-star or a new challenge on Broadway, Shailene Woodley is embracing every moment. And if George Clooney’s laugh is in the audience, you can bet she’ll be giving an unforgettable performance!

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