George Clooney’s Explosive Ohio State Abuse Documentary Revealed: HBO Sets Premiere

Eva Orner, the acclaimed Emmy and Oscar-winning filmmaker, brings to light a chilling tale rooted within the hallowed halls of Ohio State University’s athletics department. The highly anticipated HBO documentary, Surviving Ohio State, is set to shock audiences as it makes its debut on June 17. With Hollywood heavyweight George Clooney steering production, this documentary not only carries star power but also the gravitas of the survivors’ voices seeking justice. Streaming on Max, this film intricately sketches the harrowing accounts of abuse endured by athletes under Dr. Richard Strauss, an Ohio State doctor from 1978 to 1998. These survivors, now heroes in their own right, recount their traumatic experiences and their ongoing struggle to hold the university accountable for Strauss’s predatory actions. Audiences are urged to brace themselves for the newly released documentary trailer, an appetite-whetter for what promises to be a hard-hitting exploration of institutional failure and personal resilience.

Orner, joined by Clooney, his Smokehouse Pictures mate Grant Heslov, and 101 Studios’ David C. Glasser, crafts a haunting narrative based on Jon Wertheim’s captivating 2020 Sports Illustrated exposé. Wertheim’s story unearthed the shadowy conspiracies surrounding Strauss, capturing testimony from former All-American wrestler and UFC champ Mark Coleman, among others, who bravely expose the dark underbelly of their collegiate sports experiences. Surviving Ohio State further amplifies the courageous voices of athletes like Adam DiSabato, Michael DiSabato, Will Knight, Al Novakowski, Rockey Ratliff, Dan Ritchie, and Mike Schyck, each contributing their unvarnished narratives to this cinematic indictment.

With Wertheim doubling as executive producer alongside industry stalwarts David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Ron Burkle, Corey Salter, Colin Smeeton, and Marc Rosen, the documentary commands an ensemble production with HBO’s Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Bentley Weiner at the helm. Produced by Smokehouse Pictures and 101/Sports Illustrated Studios, the film is a testament to meticulous reportage and dedicated filmmaking. This exposé, envisioned initially as a docuseries, took root in 2021 when Clooney and Heslov announced the project. With HBO and Orner officially joining in June 2022, Surviving Ohio State has evolved into a compelling account poised to spark dialogues far beyond academia. Secure your seat for this unflinching narrative where the lens doesn’t simply recount, it calls to action.