Table of Contents
Summary
George Clooney is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. He was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky. Clooney started his career in Hollywood with small television roles in the 1980s, and he gained mainstream recognition for his role as Dr. Doug Ross in the medical drama series “ER” from 1994 to 1999.
Clooney’s film career began to take off in the late 1990s, and he has since starred in numerous successful films such as “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Syriana,” “Michael Clayton,” “Up in the Air,” and “Gravity.” He has received several awards for his work in the entertainment industry, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
In addition to his acting career, Clooney is also known for his humanitarian work and activism. He has been involved in various social and political causes, including the Darfur conflict, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and the Syrian refugee crisis. He is also a co-founder of the advocacy group Not On Our Watch, which seeks to stop mass atrocities around the world.
Early Life
George Clooney was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky, to a family with a strong connection to the entertainment industry. His father, Nick Clooney, was a journalist and TV host, and his aunt, Rosemary Clooney, was a popular singer and actress. Clooney grew up in a Catholic household and attended Catholic school.
After graduating from high school, Clooney attended Northern Kentucky University but did not finish his studies. He then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, where he struggled to find success initially. He worked various odd jobs to support himself, including selling women’s shoes, cutting tobacco, and stocking shelves.
Clooney’s breakthrough came in the mid-1980s when he landed a recurring role on the TV series “The Facts of Life.” He then went on to star in several other TV shows before his big break came in 1994 when he was cast in the hit medical drama series “ER.” The show propelled him to stardom and helped launch his successful film career.
Career
George Clooney’s career began in the 1980s with small television roles in series such as “The Facts of Life,” “Roseanne,” and “Murder, She Wrote.” He also appeared in a few low-budget films, but it wasn’t until he landed the role of Dr. Doug Ross on the medical drama series “ER” that he gained mainstream recognition. He played the role for five seasons and received two Emmy nominations for his work.
After leaving “ER” in 1999, Clooney shifted his focus to feature films. He starred in several successful movies, including “Out of Sight,” “Three Kings,” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” He also began to produce and direct films, making his directorial debut in 2002 with “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.”
In 2005, Clooney directed and starred in “Good Night, and Good Luck,” a film about journalist Edward R. Murrow’s confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare. The film received critical acclaim and earned Clooney several award nominations, including Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
Clooney continued to act, produce, and direct films throughout the 2000s and 2010s, with notable films including “Michael Clayton,” “Up in the Air,” “The Descendants,” “Gravity,” “The Monuments Men,” and “Hail, Caesar!” He received numerous award nominations and won two Academy Awards, one for Best Supporting Actor in “Syriana” and another for Best Picture as a producer of “Argo.”
In addition to his work in film and television, Clooney has been involved in various humanitarian and social causes, including efforts to stop mass atrocities, support refugee rights, and promote peace in the world.
Early work (1978–1993)
George Clooney’s early work in the entertainment industry consisted mainly of small roles in television and film. In 1978, he made his acting debut in the television miniseries “Centennial.” He then appeared in a number of TV shows throughout the 1980s, including “The Facts of Life,” “Roseanne,” and “The Golden Girls.”
In 1992, Clooney got his first leading role in the low-budget horror-comedy film “Return of the Killer Tomatoes.” The film was not successful at the box office, but it helped to establish Clooney as a leading man.
The following year, Clooney was cast in the hit medical drama series “ER” as Dr. Doug Ross. The show premiered in September 1994 and quickly became a ratings success. Clooney’s performance was widely praised, and he became a household name.
During his time on “ER,” Clooney continued to work on film projects. He appeared in the films “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996), “One Fine Day” (1996), and “Batman & Robin” (1997). “Batman & Robin” was a critical and commercial flop, and it was widely panned for its campy tone and Clooney’s portrayal of the Dark Knight.
Despite the disappointment of “Batman & Robin,” Clooney’s popularity continued to grow, and he became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men. In 1998, he was named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.
Breakthrough and stardom (1994–1999)
George Clooney’s breakthrough role came in 1994 when he was cast as Dr. Doug Ross on the hit medical drama series “ER.” The show was an instant success and quickly became one of the most popular TV shows of the 1990s. Clooney’s portrayal of the charming and rebellious doctor made him a fan favorite and helped to launch his career as a leading man.
During his time on “ER,” Clooney received two Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. He was also named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” several times.
Clooney’s success on “ER” led to him being cast in several high-profile film roles. In 1996, he starred in the horror-thriller “From Dusk Till Dawn” and the romantic comedy “One Fine Day” opposite Michelle Pfeiffer. The following year, he played the iconic superhero Batman in “Batman & Robin.”
Despite the negative reviews for “Batman & Robin,” Clooney’s popularity continued to grow, and he became one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. In 1998, he starred in the critically acclaimed film “Out of Sight,” which was directed by Steven Soderbergh. The film was a box office success and received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising Clooney’s performance as a career criminal.
Clooney left “ER” in 1999 to focus on his film career, but his time on the show had made him a household name and established him as one of the most talented and charismatic actors of his generation.
Established leading man (2000–2004)
In the early 2000s, George Clooney continued to solidify his status as a leading man in Hollywood. He starred in a number of successful films, including the crime thriller “The Perfect Storm” (2000), the heist comedy “Oceans Eleven” (2001), and its sequels “Oceans Twelve” (2004) and “Oceans Thirteen” (2007).
In addition to his work as an actor, Clooney also began to establish himself as a writer and director. He made his directorial debut in 2002 with the biographical crime film “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” which he also wrote and produced. The film received mixed reviews but was praised for its stylish direction and strong performances.
Clooney’s next directorial effort, “Good Night, and Good Luck” (2005), was a critical and commercial success. The film, which he also co-wrote and starred in, told the story of journalist Edward R. Murrow’s confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare. It received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture, and won Best Supporting Actor for co-star George Clooney.
In 2005, Clooney also starred in the political thriller “Syriana,” which was directed by Stephen Gaghan. His performance as a disillusioned CIA agent earned him critical acclaim and his second Academy Award, this time for Best Supporting Actor.
Clooney’s success in the early 2000s cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile leading men, and he continued to work on a variety of projects in the years that followed.
Directorial debut and acclaim (2005–2013)
In 2005, George Clooney directed, co-wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed film “Good Night, and Good Luck.” The black-and-white drama chronicled the conflict between journalist Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare of the 1950s. The film was praised for its sharp writing, excellent performances, and stylish direction, and it earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture. Clooney received his first nomination for Best Director, cementing his status as a multi-talented artist.
In 2008, Clooney directed, co-wrote and starred in the sports comedy “Leatherheads.” Set in the 1920s, the film told the story of a struggling football team and its charismatic player and coach. Despite mixed reviews, the film showcased Clooney’s talent for period pieces and his skill as a comedic actor.
Clooney’s next film as a director was the political drama “The Ides of March” (2011), which he also co-wrote and starred in. The film, which was based on the play “Farragut North,” followed a young political staffer (played by Ryan Gosling) as he navigated the treacherous waters of a political campaign. The film received positive reviews for its sharp writing, excellent performances, and timely themes, and it earned Clooney another nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
In 2013, Clooney directed, co-wrote and starred in the World War II drama “The Monuments Men.” Based on a true story, the film followed a group of art experts tasked with recovering stolen artwork from the Nazis. Despite a star-studded cast that included Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, and John Goodman, the film received mixed reviews and was a box office disappointment.
Throughout this period, Clooney continued to work as an actor in a variety of projects, including the films “Michael Clayton” (2007), “Up in the Air” (2009), and “Gravity” (2013). He also made a number of television appearances, including a guest-starring role on “The Golden Girls” and a recurring role on “Roseanne” in the 1990s.
Career slump and resurgence (2014–present
In the mid-2010s, George Clooney experienced a bit of a career slump. His 2014 film “The Monuments Men” was a commercial disappointment, and he received mixed reviews for his roles in films like “Tomorrowland” (2015) and “Hail, Caesar!” (2016).
However, Clooney bounced back with his work on the television series “Catch-22” (2019), which he executive produced, directed, and starred in. Based on the novel of the same name by Joseph Heller, the series was a critical success and showcased Clooney’s versatility as an actor and filmmaker.
In 2020, Clooney directed and starred in “The Midnight Sky,” a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film based on the novel “Good Morning, Midnight” by Lily Brooks-Dalton. The film, which was released on Netflix, received mixed reviews but was praised for its stunning visuals and strong performances.
In addition to his work in film and television, Clooney has continued to be active in political and social causes. He has been a vocal advocate for a number of issues, including human rights, environmental protection, and international peace efforts. He has also been involved in several charitable organizations, including the United Way and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Overall, George Clooney’s career has been marked by his versatility as an actor and his skill as a filmmaker. Despite a brief career slump, he has continued to be a respected and influential figure in Hollywood and beyond.
Personal life
George Clooney has had an active personal life. In 1989, he married actress Talia Balsam, but the couple divorced in 1993. Clooney has since been in a number of high-profile relationships with women, including model and television personality Lisa Snowdon and actress and wrestler Stacy Keibler.
In 2014, Clooney married British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin (now Amal Clooney), whom he met at a charity event. The couple has two children, twins Ella and Alexander, who were born in 2017.
Clooney is known for his political activism and has been involved in a number of humanitarian efforts throughout his career. He has been a vocal advocate for human rights, including serving as a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 2008. He has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including Not on Our Watch, which aims to end mass atrocities around the world.
Clooney is also a keen supporter of environmental causes and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Natural Resources Defense Council. He has also been involved in efforts to promote peace in Sudan and South Sudan through the organization Satellite Sentinel Project, which uses satellite imagery to track human rights abuses in the region.
In his personal life, Clooney is an avid collector of fine art and is known to have a large and valuable collection of paintings, sculptures, and other works. He is also a fan of the game of basketball and is known to have played in several celebrity basketball games.
List of all George Clooney Movies and TV Shows
Here is a list of some of George Clooney’s most notable movies and TV shows:
Movies:
- And They Lived Happily Ever After (1984)
- Grizzly II: The Predator (1984)
- Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988)
- Red Surf (1989)
- Unbecoming Age (1992)
- The Harvest (1993)
- One Fine Day (1996)
- Batman & Robin (1997)
- Out of Sight (1998)
- The Thin Red Line (1998)
- Three Kings (1999)
- O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
- Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
- Solaris (2002)
- Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
- Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
- Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
- Syriana (2005)
- The Good German (2006)
- Michael Clayton (2007)
- Burn After Reading (2008)
- Up in the Air (2009)
- The American (2010)
- The Descendants (2011)
- Gravity (2013)
- The Monuments Men (2014)
- Tomorrowland (2015)
- Money Monster (2016)
- Hail, Caesar! (2016)
- Suburbicon (2017)
- Catch-22 (2019) (TV movie)
- The Midnight Sky (2020)
TV Shows:
- E/R (1984–1985)
- The Facts of Life (1985)
- Street Hawk (1985)
- Murder, She Wrote (1985)
- The Golden Girls (1987)
- Roseanne (1988–1991)
- Baby Talk (1991)
- Sisters (1993)
- Friends (1995–1997)
- South Park (1997)
- ER (1994–1999)
- Fail Safe (2000)
- Unscripted (2005)
- Michael Clayton (2007)
- Catch-22 (2019) (TV series)
