Rise to Success: Career Highlights of George Clooney
Discover the career path of George Clooney, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
George Clooney is a highly acclaimed American actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist. He is celebrated for his prominent roles in both mainstream and independent cinema. Clooney's achievements include two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and four Golden Globe Awards. He has also received nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. He has been recognized with prestigious honors such as the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Honorary César, the AFI Life Achievement Award, and the Kennedy Center Honor, solidifying his significant contributions to the film industry and broader cultural landscape.
2005: Good Night, and Good Luck Released
In 2005, the movie Good Night, and Good Luck was released which George Clooney wrote and directed.
April 2006: Journey to Darfur TV Special
In April 2006, George Clooney spent ten days in Chad and Sudan with his father to create the TV special A Journey to Darfur, reflecting the situation of Darfur's refugees, and advocated for action.
August 2006: Started Smokehouse Pictures
In August 2006, George Clooney and Grant Heslov started the production company Smokehouse Pictures.
March 25, 2007: Open Letter to Angela Merkel
On March 25, 2007, George Clooney sent an open letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, urging the European Union to take decisive action regarding the Darfur conflict.
November 2007: Appearance in Darfur Now
In November 2007, George Clooney appeared in the documentary film Darfur Now, a call-to-action film urging people worldwide to help stop the Darfur crisis.
2007: Acted in Michael Clayton
In 2007, George Clooney starred in the movie 'Michael Clayton'.
January 18, 2008: Appointment as UN Messenger of Peace
On January 18, 2008, the United Nations announced George Clooney's appointment as a UN messenger of peace, effective January 31.
April 4, 2008: Resigned from the Writers Guild of America
On April 4, 2008, George Clooney resigned from the Writers Guild of America over a dispute regarding writing credit for "Leatherheads".
2008: Darfur Advocacy at the UN and Release on DVD
In 2008, the TV special A Journey to Darfur was released on DVD with proceeds going to the International Rescue Committee. In September of the same year, George Clooney spoke to the UN Security Council with Elie Wiesel, advocating for a resolution to the Darfur conflict.
February 2009: Visited Goz Beida, Chad
In February 2009, George Clooney visited Goz Beida, Chad, with New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof to raise awareness about mass atrocities.
November 2009: Starred in and voiced characters in two films
In November 2009, George Clooney starred in "The Men Who Stare at Goats" and voiced the title character in "Fantastic Mr. Fox".
December 25, 2009: Wide release of Up in the Air
On December 25, 2009, "Up in the Air", starring George Clooney, had its wide release.
January 2010: Organized Hope for Haiti Now telethon
In January 2010, George Clooney organized the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, which collected donations for the 2010 Haiti earthquake victims.
2010: Produced and starred in The American
In 2010, George Clooney produced and starred in "The American", a dark crime drama.
May 2011: Washington Post Op-Ed
In May 2011, George Clooney and John Prendergast co-wrote a Washington Post op-ed piece titled "Dancing with a dictator in Sudan."
2011: Starred in The Descendants
In 2011, George Clooney starred in "The Descendants", receiving critical acclaim and several award nominations.
March 2012: Performance in Dustin Lance Black's play 8
In March 2012, George Clooney starred with Martin Sheen and Brad Pitt in a performance of Dustin Lance Black's play 8, a reenactment of the trial that overturned California's Prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage, as attorney David Boies. The production was held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre and broadcast on YouTube.
September 2012: Auction Lunch for GLSEN
In September 2012, George Clooney offered to take an auction winner out to lunch to benefit the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). GLSEN works to create a safe space in schools for children who are or may be perceived to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
2013: Co-founded Casamigos Tequila
In 2013, George Clooney co-founded Casamigos Tequila with Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman.
2013: Produced August: Osage County
In 2013, George Clooney produced August: Osage County, an adaptation of the play of the same name.
2013: Won awards for producing Argo
In 2013, George Clooney won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama, the BAFTA Award for Best Picture and the Academy Award for Best Picture for producing "Argo".
2014: Wrote, directed and starred in The Monuments Men
In 2014, George Clooney co-wrote, directed, and starred in "The Monuments Men", which received negative reviews.
May 2015: Statement on Syrian Conflict
In May 2015, George Clooney told the BBC that the Syrian conflict was too complicated politically to get involved in and he wanted to focus on helping the refugees.
2015: Acted in Tomorrowland and A Very Murray Christmas
In 2015, George Clooney played Frank Walker in "Tomorrowland" and appeared as himself in "A Very Murray Christmas".
February 2016: Starred in Hail, Caesar!
In February 2016, George Clooney starred in "Hail, Caesar!", a comedy from the Coen brothers.
March 2016: Meeting with Syrian Refugees and Angela Merkel
In March 2016, George Clooney and his wife Amal met with Syrian refugees in Berlin and thanked German chancellor Angela Merkel for Germany's open-door policy.
April 2016: Commemoration of Armenian Genocide Anniversary
In April 2016, George Clooney visited Armenia to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
June 2017: Sold Casamigos Tequila
In June 2017, Casamigos Tequila, co-founded by George Clooney, was sold to Diageo for $700 million.
October 2017: Suburbicon was released
In October 2017, George Clooney's directorial project "Suburbicon" was released.
2018: Pledge to March for Our Lives
In 2018, following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, George and Amal Clooney pledged $500,000 to the March for Our Lives and said they would attend the march.
March 28, 2019: Call to Boycott Sultan of Brunei's Hotels
On March 28, 2019, George Clooney wrote an open letter calling for the boycott of the Sultan of Brunei's hotels over a new law that punishes homosexual sex and adultery with death by stoning.
May 31, 2019: Catch-22 premiered
On May 31, 2019, George Clooney's Hulu historical miniseries "Catch-22" premiered.
August 7, 2020: Donation to Lebanese Charities
On August 7, 2020, George and Amal Clooney donated $100,000 to three Lebanese charities - the Lebanese Red Cross, Impact Lebanon, and Baytna Baytak - after the devastating explosion in Beirut.
February 2021: Production of Ohio State University abuse scandal docuseries
In February 2021, it was reported that George Clooney's Smokehouse Pictures would produce a docuseries about the Ohio State University abuse scandal.
December 22, 2021: Nationwide premiere of The Tender Bar
On December 22, 2021, George Clooney's film "The Tender Bar" had its nationwide premiere.
January 7, 2022: The Tender Bar streaming release
On January 7, 2022, George Clooney's film "The Tender Bar" began streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
September 30, 2022: Initial Release Date for Ticket to Paradise
Ticket to Paradise, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts, was initally scheduled to release on September 30, 2022, but was later pushed back.
October 21, 2022: Ticket to Paradise Release Date
George Clooney reunited with Julia Roberts for "Ticket to Paradise", which was released on October 21, 2022.
December 25, 2023: The Boys in the Boat Released
George Clooney's film as a director was the biographical sports drama The Boys in the Boat which was released on December 25, 2023.
2024: Wolfs premiered
George Clooney re-teamed with Brad Pitt for the Apple TV+ thriller film Wolfs (2024) which premiered to positive reviews at the Venice International Film Festival.
June 17, 2025: Surviving Ohio State release date
The film, titled Surviving Ohio State, is scheduled for release on June 17, 2025.
2025: Broadway Debut in Good Night, and Good Luck
In 2025, George Clooney made his Broadway debut in the stage adaption of Good Night, and Good Luck, portraying Edward R. Murrow.
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