EXCLUSIVE: The Tender Bar’s Daniel Ranieri Talks Tye Sheridan & the Advice George Clooney Gave Him

Newcomer to the film industry, Daniel Ranieri steps in to play the young J.R. Moehringer in George Clooney’s new film, The Tender Bar. We got the chance to hear from Ranieri about his first starring role, playing the younger J.R., and so much more. Check out what he had to say below.

This is your very first feature film, were you a little nervous?

“To be honest, it was easier than I thought it would be. But the first scene I was kind of nervous. But then after it, I said, ‘Oh wait, no reason to be nervous. This is easy.’ So then the rest of the scenes, I just wasn’t nervous. We just filmed it, had a good time. I loved the experience. It was so good. And when my mom actually told me I got the part, I was so happy and I was running all around the house because I was so happy.”

Did George Clooney give you any insight before filming started?

“Not to look directly into the camera, because then you get nervous.”

You play the younger version of J.R. while Tye Sheridan plays the older version. Great. Tye, how closely did you two work together to be able to make the performances consistent?

“[We] had lunch together in Tye’s trailer sometimes offset and it was just great. And me and Tye actually have a relation in real life now. And I love him so much like my big brother”.

How did you feel about actually having a physical scene with Sheridan?

“The scene that we got together was just great. And the way George made it up was just impeccable and it was great.”

The Tender Bar will be released to Prime Video on January 7.

Photo Credit: CLAIRE FOLGER © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity