George Clooney has been named the highest-paid actor of 2018, despite not having appeared in a film for almost two years. His wealth has come from the sale of his tequila business for almost $1 billion, meaning he has earned more than twice the amount of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, the second highest-paid actor.
Clooney’s tequila brand Casamigos was created “by accident” when he and nightclub entrepreneur Rande Gerber started building holiday homes in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and struggled to find the perfect tequila.
"It was just for us," Gerber said. "We didn't really want to be in the business. We figured, George is an actor and a director. I own restaurants and bars and wasn't looking to get in another business. But then the distiller called and said, 'Hey guys, we have a little problem: In the past two years, we've been sending you about a thousand bottles a year. Either you're selling it or you're drinking way too much — either way, we can't keep calling it samples. You guys have to get licensed and do this right.'"
The business partners each invested $600,000 in Casamigos in 2013. Diageo purchased the brand for US$700 million, with a potential $300 million extra based on the brand’s performance over the next ten years.
"If you asked us four years ago if we had a billion-dollar company, I don't think we would have said yes," Clooney said. "This reflects Diageo's belief in our company and our belief in Diageo. But we're not going anywhere. We'll still be very much a part of Casamigos. Starting with a shot tonight. Maybe two."
