George Clooney

George Clooney (born 6.5.1961)

George Clooney is an American actor, as well as a director and producer. He is also involved in the United Nations (UN) organisation.

George Clooney: Childhood

George Clooney was born in Kentucky, to Nina and Nick Clooney. His father was a journalist, a news anchorman and a games show host, whilst his aunt, Rosemary Clooney, was a singer. His uncle, José Ferrer was also an actor.

Clooney developed his interest in theatre at Sir Thomas Rich's Grammar School, in Gloucester, England. When his family moved back to Kentucky, George attended Augusta High School and earned the lead role in a number of plays.

George Clooney: Acting Breakthrough

In 1984, Clooney was given a role in a medical comedy drama named E/R. A decade later, he would more famously star in the similarly named, high profile drama ER. His first major break, however, was playing Roseanne Barr's boss in the sitcom Roseanne.

His role on Roseanne was followed by parts in Baby Talk and Sisters.

Clooney's major film debut was a small role in Return of the Killer Tomatoes.

The major TV breakthrough came in 1994, when Clooney landed the role of Dr. Doug Ross in ER. He stayed on the show between 1994 and 1999.

George Clooney: Mainstream Success

Whilst he was appearing in ER, Clooney also landed a number of major roles in Hollywood films, the first being a part in From Dusk Till Dawn, by maverick director Robert Rodriguez. This was followed by roles in The Peacemaker and One Fine Day. During the last few weeks of his ER contract, Clooney starred in Three Kings.

George Clooney has a long-standing and fruitful relationship with the Coen Brothers directorial team. His first film for them was O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Another lucrative relationship is that between Clooney and Steven Soderbergh, the director of the Ocean's trilogy. Clooney starred alongside Brad Pitt and Matt Damon in Ocean's Eleven and went on to star in Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen.

Clooney's directorial debut came in 2002, with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. The film was unsuccessful at the box office, though Clooney's directorial skills were appreciated by film critics.

Returning to acting, Clooney starred in the lead role in Syriana (2005), a film about a former CIA agent. Shortly after filming Syriana, Clooney directed and acted in Good Night and Good Luck. Both films were considered a financial and critical success. The latter film earned Clooney two Oscar nominations, for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Syriana earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

In 2008, Clooney was once again nominated for an Oscar - this time for his role in Michael Clayton. He lost the prize to Daniel Day Lewis (for his role in There Will Be Blood).

Later that year, Clooney returned to working with the Coen brothers and once again shared screen-time with Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading.

George Clooney: Personal Life

George Clooney was once married to Talia Balsam, between 1989 and 1993. He also had a brief relationship with the actress Sarah Larson.

Michelle Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman each bet Clooney $10,000 each that he would have fathered a child before he turned 40. On his 40th birthday, Pfeiffer and Kidman both sent him a cheque. Clooney returned the cheques, betting double or nothing that he would still be childless when he turned 50.

Until 2006, George Clooney owned a pot-bellied pig named Max, which he had had for 16 years.