“Ocean’s Eleven ”forged: See the celebs of Steven Soderbergh’s basic caper, then and now

Bernie Mac, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Scott Caan, George Clooney, and Carl Reiner in 'Ocean's Eleven' Bernie Mac, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Scott Caan, George Clooney, and Carl Reiner in 'Ocean's Eleven'
Bernie Mac, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Scott Caan, George Clooney, and Carl Reiner in 'Ocean's Eleven'. Credit score:

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.

Some of the thrilling heists in movie historical past required one of many starriest casts ever assembled.

Ocean's Eleven, Steven Soderbergh's 2001 caper, turns 25 subsequent 12 months, but it stays firmly current within the cinematic firmament. A-listers Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie are slated to star because the mother and father of George Clooney's Danny Ocean in an upcoming prequel, whereas Clooney himself is touting a "nice script" for a sequel to the trilogy.

And let's not neglect the all-female Ocean's 8, which grossed almost $300 million worldwide in 2018.

Star energy has all the time been a staple of the Ocean's franchise, even going again to its Rat Pack-starring supply materials. It ought to come as no shock, then, that a lot of the movie's forged — Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle, amongst others — solely grew in prominence because the century rolled on, with many working collectively on initiatives each out and in of Hollywood.

As we anticipate the franchise's subsequent iteration, let's test in on the place Ocean's Eleven's forged of thieves, hustlers, scammers, and charmers at the moment are.

01 of 13

George Clooney (Danny Ocean)

George Clooney as Danny Ocean in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Clooney in New York City in 2025
George Clooney as Danny Ocean in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Clooney in New York Metropolis in 2025.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.; Jamie McCarthy/Getty

As smooth-talking thief and heist ringleader Danny Ocean, George Clooney exuded an easy cool and innate likability that translated throughout all three Ocean's movies.

The 12 months after Ocean Eleven's launch, the actor directed his first movie, the darkish and queasy Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002). All through the following twenty years, he'd direct eight extra films, together with Good Night time, and Good Luck (2005) and The Boys in the Boat (2023).

George Clooney jokes Ocean's Eleven should cross over with Magic Mike George Clooney in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Channing Tatum in 'Magic Mike' This Is What the 2001 'Ocean's Eleven' Premiere Looked Like Card Placeholder Image

In 2006, he launched Smokehouse Photos with actor and author Grant Heslov. The corporate produced a number of profitable initiatives, together with Argo (2012), which scored Clooney a Finest Image Oscar when it dominated the eighty fifth Academy Awards.

Regardless of his memberships with the United Nations Messengers of Peace and the Council on International Relations, Clooney by no means stopped appearing. In 2005, he received a Finest Supporting Actor Oscar for his flip in Soderbergh's Syriana, and he was nominated three extra occasions for his performances in Michael Clayton (2007), Up within the Air (2009), and The Descendants (2011).

62 photographs of George Clooney by means of the years

Clooney discovered himself on the heart of political discourse through the 2024 election after penning an op-ed within the New York Instances calling for incumbent Joe Biden to exit the race. Within the aftermath, Clooney sparred not simply with Donald Trump, but additionally with right-wing media figures like Megyn Kelly.

This 12 months, Clooney made his Broadway debut in a stage adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck, incomes a Tony nomination within the course of.

He shares two youngsters along with his spouse, lawyer Amal Clooney, whom he wed in 2014 following his cut up from actress Talia Balsam.

02 of 13

Julia Roberts (Tess Ocean)

Julia Roberts as Tess in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Julia Roberts at the 50th Cesar Film Awards in 2025
Julia Roberts as Tess in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Julia Roberts on the fiftieth Cesar Movie Awards in 2025.

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett; THOMAS SAMSON/AFP by way of Getty

The bubbling Julia Roberts positively twinkled in Ocean's Eleven as Tess, the scorned ex of Danny. A lot to Danny's chagrin, she's making an attempt to maneuver on with Andy García's on line casino proprietor, Terry Benedict.

Roberts, who received an Oscar for Erin Brockovich (2000) the 12 months earlier than Ocean's, continued her scorching streak with starring roles in Charlie Wilson's Struggle (2007), Eat Pray Love (2010), and Surprise (2017). Along with prior Oscar nominations for Metal Magnolias (1989) and Fairly Girl (1990), she scored one other nod in 2013 for the movie adaptation of Tracy Letts' Pulitzer Prize-winning play August: Osage County.

The silver-screen icon finally made her approach to TV, incomes a Primetime Emmy nomination for 2014's The Regular Coronary heart, which she adopted with roles on Amazon Prime's Homecoming (2018) and Starz's Gaslit (2022).

This previous January, Roberts celebrated the 56th birthday of her husband, Daniel Moder, with a throwback photograph of the couple. The pair has three youngsters, together with a set of twins.

03 of 13

Brad Pitt (Rusty Ryan)

Ocean's Eleven, 2001, Brad Pitt, 2024, WATN
Brad Pitt as Rusty in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Pitt on the 'Wolfs' premiere in L.A. in 2024.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.; Gilbert Flores/Getty

Because the devilish Rusty Ryan, Brad Pitt isn’t seen with out a snack in hand. The ying to Danny's yang, the pair is synonymous with the Ocean's franchise.

Like Clooney, Pitt adopted the success of Ocean's Eleven by diving headfirst into producing with Plan B Leisure, which he co-founded in 2001. The corporate discovered early success with initiatives like Martin Scorsese's The Departed (2006) and Andrew Dominik's The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), each of which had been nominated for a number of Oscars.

Within the years since Plan B's founding, three movies have received the Academy Award for Finest Image: The Departed, 12 Years a Slave (2013), and Moonlight (2016).

Brad Pitt as Rusty and George Clooney as Danny in 'Ocean's Eleven'
Brad Pitt as Rusty and George Clooney as Danny in 'Ocean's Eleven'.

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett

Pitt aimed for field workplace dominance with 2004's big-budget Troy, however, as he put it to the New York Times in 2019, the epic's underperformance precipitated him to rethink his profession. Over the previous twenty years, the actor has picked his initiatives rigorously, usually selecting supporting roles. His efficiency as daffy himbo Chad Feldheimer within the Coen Brothers' Burn After Reading (2008), for instance, is an important entry in his oeuvre.

His selectiveness proved fruitful. Within the years since Ocean's Eleven, Pitt has been nominated thrice for appearing Oscars — for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Moneyball (2011), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), the final of which landed him a statue.

Most lately, Pitt re-teamed with Clooney for AppleTV+'s Wolfs (2024) and is hyping his lead flip as a Components One racer in Joseph Kosinski's F1. His latest producing credit embody Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) and Bong Joon-ho's Mickey 17 (2025).

Final 12 months, Pitt and the actress Angelina Jolie, who had been married in 2014, reached a divorce settlement after eight years of authorized battles. The settlement arrived after allegations that Pitt bodily abused her and their youngsters. The FBI reviewed the case. No costs had been filed towards Pitt.

04 of 13

Matt Damon (Linus Caldwell)

Matt Damon as Linus in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Damon at the 'McNeal' premiere on Broadway in 2024
Matt Damon as Linus in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Damon on the 'McNeal' premiere on Broadway in 2024.

Warner Bros/courtesy Everett; Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Matt Damon was nonetheless bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when he performed the mild-mannered Linus, whose pickpocketing and grifting expertise proved to be key to the group's success.

Till that time, the Oscar winner's profession had been marked by mid-budget hits (The Rainmaker, Rounders) and approachable arthouse fare (Good Will Looking, The Gifted Mr. Ripley), however that was about to vary. In 2002, Damon grew to become a bona fide motion hero in The Bourne Identification, the primary of 4 Jason Bourne movies that includes the actor.

However Damon has confirmed a flexible performer over time, showing in a diversified array of comedies (Caught On You, Downsizing), household movies (Completely satisfied Ft 2, We Purchased a Zoo), and dramas (Behind the Candelabra, Stillwater). He was nominated for appearing Oscars in 2010 and 2016 for Invictus and The Martian, respectively.

Matt Damon as Linus and George Clooney as Danny in 'Ocean's Eleven'
Matt Damon as Linus and George Clooney as Danny in 'Ocean's Eleven'.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.

Damon additionally continues to work along with his Ocean's crew. He's appeared in quite a few Soderbergh films within the subsequent years, together with The Informant! (2009) and Contagion (2011), in addition to Clooney-directed efforts like The Monuments Males (2014) and Suburbicon (2016). He'll subsequent seem in Christopher Nolan's star-studded adaptation of The Odyssey.

Alongside along with his outdated pal Ben Affleck, Damon co-founded Artists Fairness, a manufacturing firm with credit that embody Air (2023), Small Issues Like These (2024), and this 12 months's Affleck-starring The Accountant 2.

Damon has been married to his spouse, Luciana Bozán, since 2005. The pair has three daughters, in addition to one other youngster from Bozán's earlier marriage.

05 of 13

Carl Reiner (Saul Bloom)

Carl Reiner as Saul in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Reiner at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica in 2017
Carl Reiner as Saul in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Reiner on the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica in 2017.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.; John Wolfsohn/Getty

Comedy legend Carl Reiner, father of Rob Reiner, performed the wily Saul Bloom in all three Ocean's films, which is spectacular given the actor was nearing 80 when the primary movie was launched.

Regardless of his age, the Dick Van Dyke Present creator remained busy within the years following Ocean's Eleven. He put in recurring appearances on costar Bernie Mac's eponymous TV present (2002–2005), in addition to on initiatives like Two and a Half Males (2009–2014), Scorching in Cleveland (2010–2014), and Toy Story 4 (2019).

Past his tenure as a comedy author and actor, Reiner is remembered for collaborating with Steve Martin, having notably directed The Jerk (1979), amongst different initiatives.

Reiner died in June 2020 at age 98 from pure causes, forsaking a profession that netted him 11 Emmy Awards, a Grammy, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

06 of 13

Elliott Gould (Reuben Tishkoff)

Elliott Gould as Rueben in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Gould at the 'You People' premiere in L.A. in 2023
Elliott Gould as Rueben in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Gould on the 'You Folks' premiere in L.A. in 2023.

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett; Lisa O'Connor/AFP by way of Getty

SNL five-timer Elliott Gould appeared within the Ocean's trilogy and Ocean's 8 because the dandy Reuben Tishkoff, a moneyed enterprise tycoon with an axe to grind.

The Oscar nominee beforehand performed Capt. Trapper John McIntyre within the movie M*A*S*H (1970), starred in The Lengthy Goodbye (1973), and was Jack Geller in Associates (1994–2004), amongst different notable works. He's targeted extra on TV than movie over the previous few a long time, however he appeared in Soderbergh's Contagion (2011), in addition to movies like Zoe Kazan's Ruby Sparks (2012), and reprising his position as Tishkoff in Ocean's Eight (2018).

Elliott Gould instructed Elvis to close up when he requested about Barbra Streisand cut up

On the small display, he's lately performed supporting roles on Ray Donovan (2013–2016), Mulaney (2014–2015), and Grace and Frankie (2020), and lent his voice to animated collection like The Simpsons (2003) and Kim Attainable (2003–2007). At the moment, he's a fixture on Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer (2022–current).

07 of 13

Don Cheadle (Basher Tarr)

Don Cheadle as Basher; Cheadle at the 'Fight Night' premiere in New York City in 2024
Don Cheadle as Basher; Cheadle on the 'Battle Night time' premiere in New York Metropolis in 2024.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Don Cheadle appeared within the Ocean's trilogy as Basher Tarr, a cockney-accented Brit with a knack for heavy artillery.

Cheadle was already a Soderbergh collaborator when he signed onto Ocean's Eleven, having beforehand appeared within the director's Out of Sight (1998) and Visitors (2000). A couple of years after Ocean's, he earned an Academy Award nomination for taking part in hotelier Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda (2004), a film set amidst the Rwandan genocide.

The actor used the movie's success to deliver consciousness to genocides being enacted in Darfur and elsewhere. He co-authored a ebook concerning the Darfur genocide, Not on Our Watch, with human-rights watchdog John Prendergast, and co-founded the Not on Our Watch Venture, a corporation working to cease mass atrocities, along with his Ocean's costars Clooney, Pitt, and Damon, amongst others.

Cheadle appeared in dozens of movies and collection within the years since, and even joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as James "Rhodey" Rhodes, a.ok.a. Struggle Machine. He's appeared in 10 totally different Marvel initiatives because the character.

His work on House of Lies (2012–2016), Black Monday (2019–2021), and Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) netted him seven of his 11 whole Emmy nominations. He's additionally received two Golden Globes and two Grammys beneath his belt, in addition to a Tony nomination for his work as a producer on the hit musical A Strange Loop.

Most lately, Cheadle starred on Peacock's 2024 miniseries Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.

The actor shares two youngsters along with his spouse, actress Bridgid Coulter.

08 of 13

Eddie Jemison (Livingston Dell)

Eddie Jemison as Livingston in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Jemison at the 'Nope' premiere in L.A. in 2022
Eddie Jemison as Livingston in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Jemison on the 'Nope' premiere in L.A. in 2022.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.; Gilbert Flores/Getty

Eddie Jemison's solely movie credit score previous to Ocean's Eleven was in Soderbergh's deeply unusual Schizopolis (1996). He performs tech whiz Livingston Dell within the trilogy.

Within the years since, Jemison has appeared in nearly each community procedural on TV, from ER (2005) and The Nearer (2006) to Legal Minds (2009) and Gray's Anatomy (2013) to a number of iterations of CSI. He was a daily on HBO's Hung (2009–2011), The CW's iZombie (2015–2019), and Chicago Med (2017–2018).

Jemison reunited with Soderbergh for The Informant! (2009) and would go on to seem within the Veronica Mars movie (2014), Todd Phillips' Struggle Canine (2016), and Jordan Peele's Nope (2022).

09 of 13

Scott Caan (Turk Malloy)

Scott Caan as Turk in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Caan at the 2024 Fox Spring Preview in Los Angeles
Scott Caan as Turk in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Caan on the 2024 Fox Spring Preview in Los Angeles.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.; Gregg DeGuire/Selection by way of Getty

The broad-shouldered, tall-haired Scott Caan, son of the late James Caan, performed wheelman and surveillance knowledgeable Turk Malloy within the Ocean's trilogy.

Caan chased his flip in Ocean's Eleven by slipping behind the digicam as the author and director of Dallas 362 (2003) and The Canine Downside (2006). He additionally wrote and produced the options Mercy (2009) and One Day as a Lion (2023).

As an actor, Caan discovered success on tv. After showing as ruthless supervisor Scott Lavin on a number of seasons of Entourage (2009–2011), Caan led CBS's Hawaii Five-O reboot (2010–2020) as Danny "Danno" Williams, a job that earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

As of late, Caan stars on the Jamie Foxx-created Alert: Lacking Individuals Unit (2023–current).

10 of 13

Casey Affleck (Virgil Malloy)

Casey Affleck as Virgil in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Affleck at a 'Nosferatu' screening in 2024
Casey Affleck as Virgil in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Affleck at a 'Nosferatu' screening in 2024.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.; Eric Charbonneau/Getty

As Virgil Malloy, Casey Affleck spent a lot of the Ocean's trilogy buying and selling barbs along with his onscreen brother, Turk.

Affleck, lengthy a supporting participant in films like Good Will Looking (1997) and 200 Cigarettes (1999), finally stepped into the highlight with main roles in Steve Buscemi's Lonesome Jim (2006) and the Pitt-produced The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), the latter of which netted him his first Academy Award nomination for Finest Supporting Actor.

After main brother Ben Affleck's Gone Child Gone (2007) and directing a weird mockumentary, I'm Nonetheless Right here (2010), Affleck received an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his gutting flip as a grieving father in Manchester by the Sea (2016).

Affleck's wins had been coloured by resurfaced allegations of sexual misconduct from two ladies who labored with him on I'm Nonetheless Right here. The ladies sued Affleck, and each instances had been settled out of court docket in 2010. The actor denies the allegations, however admitted in a 2018 interview that he contributed to an "unprofessional" work surroundings.

Within the years since, he appeared in two David Lowery films, A Ghost Story (2017) and The Previous Man & the Gun (2018), and stole his scenes because the stony Boris Pash in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (2023) reverse Damon. Final 12 months, he starred alongside Damon as soon as extra in Apple TV+'s The Instigators (2024), which he additionally co-wrote, and appeared in a Dunkin' Donuts Tremendous Bowl industrial directed by his brother.

11 of 13

Bernie Mac (Frank Catton)

Bernie Mac as Frank in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Mac at the 'Transformers' premiere in 2007
Bernie Mac as Frank in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Mac on the 'Transformers' premiere in 2007.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.; ANDREAS BRANCH/Patrick McMullan by way of Getty

Bernie Mac, who we'd place among the many funniest comedian actors of the final half-century, starred within the Ocean's trilogy as fast-talking Frank Catton.

The 12 months of Ocean's Eleven's launch additionally noticed the premiere of Fox's The Bernie Mac Present (2001–2006), which ran for greater than 100 episodes and scored Mac two Primetime Emmy nominations.

Mac routinely stole scenes within the comedies of the '90s, comparable to Friday (1995) and The Participant's Membership (1998). His post-Ocean's profession noticed him graduate to main roles in films like Bad Santa (2003), Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), and Mr. 3000 (2004).

Bernie Mac: 15 Roles to Keep in mind

In 2008, Mac died at 50 as a result of cardiac arrest. A testomony to his drive to work, three movies that includes the actor had been launched posthumously: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008), Soul Males (2008), and Previous Canine (2009).

12 of 13

Qin Shaobo because the Superb Yen

Qin Shaobo as Yen in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Qin at the 'Ocean's Thirteen' premiere in Los Angeles in 2007
Qin Shaobo as Yen in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Qin on the 'Ocean's 13' premiere in Los Angeles in 2007.

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett; Steve Granitz/WireImage

Qin Shaobo, a real-life acrobat and contortionist, twisted and scampered throughout the Ocean's trilogy and Ocean's 8 because the Superb Yen, the group's "grease man."

The Ocean's movies are the performer's solely credited onscreen roles, and it's unclear what he's to this point, although we all know he beforehand carried out with the world-famous Peking Acrobats.

13 of 13

Andy García (Terry Benedict)

Andy Garcia as Benedict in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Garcia at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in 2025
Andy Garcia as Benedict in 'Ocean's Eleven'; Garcia on the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in 2025.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.; Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Ocean's large dangerous is on line casino proprietor Terry Benedict, performed with the proper quantity of oily malevolence by Oscar nominee Andy García.

García beforehand rose to fame for Brian De Palma's The Untouchables (1987) and for taking part in Vincent Mancini in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Half III (1990).

He chased the success of Ocean's by producing and starring within the Italian biopic Modigliani (2004), in addition to co-writing, directing, and starring in The Lost City (2005) alongside Dustin Hoffman and Invoice Murray.

Andy Garcia reflects on his Godfather dream coming true and 'unjust' Sofia Coppola criticism

He's labored persistently as an actor within the years since, taking part in a slew of politicians and authority figures in movies like Ghostbusters (2016), Geostorm (2017), Wrath of Man (2021), and Expend4bles (2023).

One other feather in García's cap? He received a Grammy (and a Latin Grammy) in 2005 for producing ¡Ahora Sí!, an album by Cuban musician Cachao.

The place can I watch Ocean's Eleven?

Ocean's Eleven, 2001, Andy Garcia, George Clooney, Julia Roberts
Andy Garcia, George Clooney, and Julia Roberts in 'Ocean's Eleven'.

Bob Marshak/Warner Bros.

Ocean's Eleven, in addition to its sequels, Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's 13, are at present streaming on Netflix.

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