George Clooney

NAME George Timothy Clooney

WHAT FAMOUS FOR George Clooney is a renowned American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. He is celebrated for his charismatic on-screen presence, versatility, and humanitarian efforts.

BIRTH George Clooney was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Clooney’s father, Nick Clooney, was a well-known anchorman and television host, working for five years on the AMC network. His mother, Nina Bruce (née Warren), was a beauty queen. George is the nephew of renowned jazz singer Rosemary Clooney. Through his mother’s family, he is also a distant relative of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.

CHILDHOOD Growing up in Kentucky, Clooney was surrounded by a mix of entertainment and journalism due to his family background. He spent his early years in Augusta, Kentucky, where he developed a passion for acting. Clooney was involved in school plays and community theater productions.

EDUCATION George attended Augusta High School in Kentucky, where he was known for his athletic abilities, especially in basketball and baseball. After high school, he briefly attended Northern Kentucky University  majoring in broadcast journalism, and very briefly the University of Cincinnati, but dropped out to pursue acting.

CAREER RECORD Clooney’s first television acting role was as an extra in the 1978 mini-series Centennial. He gained wider recognition as George Burnett, the handyman on The Facts of Life in 1985. His breakout role came with ER in 1994, and since then, he’s starred in numerous successful films, including Ocean’s Eleven, The Descendants, and Syriana, for which he won an Academy Award. 

APPEARANCE Tall and handsome with piercing blue eyes, and charming smile. Clinton is often referred to as one of Hollywood’s sexiest men, Clooney’s salt-and-pepper hair and deep voice contribute to his classic, distinguished look.

Clooney in 2009 By Michael Vlasaty 

FASHION Clooney is known for his impeccable style, often sporting tailored suits and classic, elegant looks on the red carpet. He’s a regular presence on best-dressed lists.

CHARACTER Clooney is known for his charm, wit, and down-to-earth personality. He is highly regarded for his loyalty to friends and colleagues, demonstrated by his surprise gift of $1 million to 14 close friends in 2013 as a token of appreciation. 

Clooney is known for his philanthropic endeavors and is often seen as a humanitarian.

SENSE OF HUMOUR George Clooney is well-known for his witty sense of humor and his love of pranks, especially when it comes to his fellow actors and friends. One notable example of Clooney's comedic nature is an epic prank he fell victim to, orchestrated by his friend and co-star Brad Pitt.

During the filming of Ocean's 12 in Italy, Brad Pitt pulled off a hilarious stunt that showcases Clooney's ability to both dish out and take a joke. Pitt created fake flyers and distributed them around town, instructing locals not to look George in the eyes and to only refer to him by his character name, "Danny Ocean". The prank escalated when it made its way into a local newspaper, much to Clooney's surprise.

Upon discovering the prank, Clooney's reaction was characteristically good-natured. He came downstairs with the newspaper in hand, looked at Brad, and simply said, "You're mine from here on out." Brad's response was equally humorous, pleading, "Please don't harm my children". This exchange demonstrates Clooney's quick wit and his ability to appreciate a well-executed joke, even when he's the target.

Clooney's sense of humor extends beyond just being the recipient of pranks. He's known for his own elaborate practical jokes, some of which have become legendary in Hollywood circles. For instance, he once played a rather daring prank on his friend Richard Kind before heightened airport security measures were in place1. Clooney snuck a prop from the movie "Solaris" – a lunchbox-sized device with strange tubes and lights – into Kind's bag before a flight. When security discovered the suspicious item, Kind was utterly baffled, creating a comically confusing situation.

RELATIONSHIPS George Clooney's first wife was actress Talia Balsam. They got married in 1989 in Las Vegas after a whirlwind romance. The marriage lasted only about three years. Clooney filed for divorce in 1992, which was finalized in 1993. Clooney has taken responsibility for the failure of the marriage, stating he "wasn't someone who should have been married at that point" and that he didn't give Talia "a fair shot".

For many years after his divorce, Clooney was known as Hollywood's most eligible bachelor, dating several high-profile celebrities but avoiding long-term commitment

In a 1995 interview with Barbara Walters, he stated, "I won't marry again" because he "wasn't very good" at marriage.

After years of high-profile relationships, including a bet with Michelle Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman that he wouldn’t marry again by 40 (which he won), Clooney married British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin on September 27, 2014. Their wedding was a lavish, multi-day celebration held at the historic Aman Canal Grande luxury resort in Venice. The ceremony was intimate, attended by about 100 close friends and family members. Famous guests included Matt Damon, Bono, and Bill Murray.

George and Amal had met about a year earlier in July 2013 at George's home near Lake Como, Italy, when a mutual friend brought Amal along to a dinner party1. Their relationship progressed quickly after that initial meeting, with George proposing in April 2014. 

The couple has twins, a daughter, Ella, and a son, Alexander, born in 2017.

Amal and George Clooney in 2022.

MONEY AND FAME One of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, Clooney has a net worth in the hundreds of millions. Beyond acting, he co-founded Casamigos Tequila, which was sold for nearly $1 billion in 2017.

Clooney organized the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon in 2010, which raised funds for victims of the Haiti earthquake. He has also been involved in other disaster relief efforts, including donating to Lebanese charities after the 2020 Beirut explosion

FOOD AND DRINK Clooney's diet is heavily influenced by Mediterranean cuisine, which is known for its health benefits. This aligns with the Blue Zone Diet, as his chef, Viviana Frizzi, comes from Sardinia, Italy - one of the regions where people tend to live the longest.

The Clooneys have a weekly pizza night, which has become somewhat famous. Their favorite is margherita pizza served with arugula salad

Clooney has a known fondness for beer, having done voice-overs for Budweiser and reportedly installed a beer keg in his dressing room during the filming of Ocean’s Eleven.

MUSIC AND ARTS Clooney first found worldwide fame as a television actor, toiling away in the medical drama ER. His role as Dr. Doug Ross was like a breath of fresh air in a show filled with stuffy white coats and overly dramatic diagnoses. It was there that he honed his skills as a leading man, proving he could be both charming and credible.

From ER, Clooney graduated to the big screen, where he quickly established himself as a versatile actor. He could do comedy, drama, action, and even the occasional superhero flick (remember Batman & Robin? Let's just forget that one). His performances in films like Ocean's Eleven, Syriana, and Michael Clayton cemented his status as a Hollywood heavyweight.

But Clooney wasn't content to just be in front of the camera. He also wanted to be behind it. And boy, did he make a splash there too. His directorial debut, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, was a critical and commercial success. He's since directed a number of acclaimed films, including Good Night, and Good Luck and The Ides of March.

As the nephew of singer Rosemary Clooney, George has a deep appreciation for jazz. He is also a fan of classical music and fine arts.

LITERATURE Clooney has shown interest in historical literature and biographies. His film roles often reflect this, such as his involvement in films based on historical or political themes.

NATURE Clooney appreciates nature, especially in the context of his homes in Los Angeles and Italy, where he spends time surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

PETS  George Clooney has a long history of pet ownership, including Einstein, a cocker spaniel who passed away in 2017

Clooney had a pet pig named Max, who lived with him for 18 years, even accompanying him to interviews. Max was a beloved part of his life until the pig's death in 2006. Clooney chose not to replace Max, as their bond was irreplaceable.

The Clooneys are known for their love of animals and commitment to adopting rescue pets, including Millie, a basset hound adopted from the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society in 2015. 

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Clooney is passionate about basketball, having played during his school years. He is also a soccer fan and supports the English team Derby County.

He also enjoys motorcycling and has been seen riding around Italy and Los Angeles.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Clooney’s humanitarian efforts often intersect with technological and scientific advancements, particularly in environmental activism.

ACTVISM  George Clooney has been actively involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors throughout his career, focusing on a variety of humanitarian causes and social justice issues. One of his most notable contributions is the co-founding of the Not On Our Watch Project, alongside fellow actors Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and others. The organization’s mission is to stop and prevent mass atrocities around the world. 

Another initiative Clooney co-founded is The Sentry, which operates as an investigative and policy team aimed at dismantling the networks of perpetrators, profiteers, and enablers who fuel genocide and other mass atrocities.

In 2010, after visiting South Sudan, Clooney co-initiated the Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP), which utilizes satellite imagery to monitor both Sudan and South Sudan for potential threats to civilians and document human rights abuses. Furthermore, in 2016, he and his wife, Amal, established the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which promotes justice in courtrooms, communities, and classrooms around the world. One of the foundation’s standout initiatives is a project aimed at educating hundreds of thousands of refugees in Lebanon.

His advocacy for Syrian refugees and his support for U.S. gun control, including his pledge to the March for Our Lives movement, further underscore his dedication to social justice. In 2008, Clooney was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace, raising awareness for UN peacekeeping efforts worldwide.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Though raised a Catholic, Clooney has expressed agnostic views in interviews, often reflecting a humanistic philosophy that guides his charitable work and political activism.

POLITICS A vocal activist, Clooney has used his platform to advocate for causes like human rights and international relief efforts. He has a particular focus on Darfur, Sudan, and refugee crises.

SCANDAL Clooney has kept a relatively scandal-free profile, though in 2007, his privacy was violated when hospital staff in New Jersey were suspended for accessing his medical records after a motorcycle accident.

MILITARY RECORD Clooney has no military record, though he has portrayed soldiers and war correspondents in various film roles.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Clooney has had significant health struggles, including bleeding stomach ulcers and a head injury sustained during the filming of Syriana in 2005, which led him to contemplate suicide due to unbearable pain. He’s also had a motorcycle accident in 2007. Despite these issues, he remains physically active.

HOMES George Clooney and his wife, Amal, own several luxurious properties across the globe. One of their most famous homes is Villa Oleandra in Lake Como, Italy, an 18th-century villa that Clooney purchased in 2002 for $7 million. The villa has become synonymous with Clooney’s name, serving as a picturesque retreat in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. In addition to Villa Oleandra, Clooney also owns Villa Margherita, a neighboring property, further expanding his presence in the area.

In England, the couple owns a stunning 17th-century Grade-II listed mansion in Sonning Eye, located on the Oxfordshire-Berkshire border. They purchased the property in 2014 for approximately £12 million ($13 million). This historic home provides a serene escape for the couple, surrounded by the idyllic English countryside.

In the U.S., Clooney’s long-time residence is in Studio City, California, where he bought a villa in 1995 for $2.2 million. Over the years, the property has undergone significant expansions and renovations, transforming it into a modern, comfortable base for the actor when he’s in Los Angeles. Additionally, the couple has owned a high-end condo in New York City/

TRAVEL Clooney is known for his love of Italy, where he often retreats to his Lake Como villa. He also travels frequently for humanitarian causes, especially to conflict zones.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA From his early days on TV in ER to his work on Ocean's Eleven and more, Clooney has made countless media appearances. His email handle, humorously revealed in a Sony hack, was "Batmansenior," a nod to his infamous role in Batman & Robin.

ACHIEVEMENTS Clooney's notable accolades include two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award, and numerous nominations for acting, directing, and producing. He is also recognized for his humanitarian work and has received honorary degrees from several universities.