Early Life and Education
George Timothy Clooney was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Nina Bruce, a beauty queen and city councilwoman, and Nick Clooney, a former anchorman and television host. He has an older sister named Adelia. Clooney attended Northern Kentucky University from 1979 to 1981, majoring in broadcast journalism, but did not graduate. He later studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.
Early Career (1978–1993)
Clooney's acting career began in 1978 with a role as an extra in the television miniseries Centennial. He gained early recognition with recurring roles on sitcoms such as The Facts of Life and Roseanne. In 1988, he starred in the comedy-horror film Return of the Killer Tomatoes.
Breakthrough and Stardom (1994–1999)
Clooney's breakthrough came with his portrayal of Dr. Doug Ross on the NBC medical drama ER from 1994 to 1999. His performance earned him two Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations. During this period, he also starred in films like From Dusk till Dawn (1996) and Out of Sight (1998).
Established Star and Directorial Debut (2000–2004)
After leaving ER, Clooney starred in commercially successful films including The Perfect Storm (2000) and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), the latter earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He made his directorial debut with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002).
Acclaim and Activism (2005–2013)
In 2005, Clooney starred in Syriana, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also directed, produced, and starred in Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), receiving Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Clooney co-founded the "Not On Our Watch" project, focusing on preventing mass atrocities, and has been involved in humanitarian missions in Darfur.
Recent Work and Broadway Debut (2014–Present)
Clooney continued to act and direct in films such as The Monuments Men (2014) and The Midnight Sky (2020). In 2025, he made his Broadway debut in a stage adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck, portraying journalist Edward R. Murrow. The production received positive reviews, and Clooney earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play.
Personal Life
Clooney was married to actress Talia Balsam from 1989 to 1993. In 2014, he married human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, with whom he has two children, twins Ella and Alexander, born in 2017.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Clooney has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and four Golden Globe Awards. He was honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2018 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2022.
Business Ventures
In 2013, Clooney co-founded Casamigos Tequila, which was sold to Diageo in 2017 for a reported $700 million, with an additional $300 million potential based on performance.
Upcoming Projects
Clooney is set to star alongside Adam Sandler and Laura Dern in Noah Baumbach's upcoming film Jay Kelly, scheduled for release on Netflix on November 14, 2025.