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 and French actor and filmmaker, recognized for his leading roles in both mainstream and independent cinema. His achievements include two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and four Golden Globe Awards. He has also received nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. Clooney's significant contributions to the film industry have been further acknowledged through prestigious honors such as the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Honorary César, the AFI Life Achievement Award, and the Kennedy Center Honor, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in entertainment.
April 2006: Advocacy for Darfur conflict resolution
In April 2006, George Clooney spent ten days in Chad and Sudan with his father to create the TV special 'A Journey to Darfur,' highlighting the situation of Darfur's refugees and advocating for action.
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 designed to encourage people to help stop the Darfur crisis.
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: Resignation from Writers Guild of America
On April 4, 2008, George Clooney resigned from the Writers Guild of America due to a dispute over writing credits for his film Leatherheads, after being denied a writing credit alongside Duncan Brantley and Rick Reilly.
2008: Support for Barack Obama's 2008 Presidential Campaign
In 2008, George Clooney supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
2008: Darfur documentary released on DVD
In 2008, the documentary 'A Journey to Darfur' was released on DVD, with the sale proceeds being donated to the International Rescue Committee.
February 2009: Visit to Goz Beida, Chad
In February 2009, George Clooney visited Goz Beida, Chad, with New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof.
November 2009: Releases and Voicing role in November 2009
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, the George Clooney starred film 'Up in the Air' received a wide release after its initial limited release, receiving positive reviews for Clooney's performance.
January 2010: Organization of '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.
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: Starring in The Descendants in 2011
In 2011, George Clooney starred in 'The Descendants', receiving critical acclaim and awards nominations. He also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for 'The Ides of March'.
March 2012: Performance in '8'
In March 2012, George Clooney starred in a performance of Dustin Lance Black's play '8' alongside Martin Sheen and Brad Pitt, raising money for the American Foundation for Equal Rights.
September 2012: Auction 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).
2012: Support for Barack Obama's 2012 Presidential Campaign
In 2012, George Clooney supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
2013: Co-founding of Casamigos Tequila in 2013
In 2013, George Clooney co-founded Casamigos Tequila with Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman.
2013: Production of August: Osage County
In 2013, George Clooney produced 'August: Osage County', an adaptation of the play of the same title, starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts.
2013: Awards and Starring Role in 2013
In 2013, George Clooney won awards for producing 'Argo' and co-starred in 'Gravity' with Sandra Bullock.
2014: Release of 'The Monuments Men'
In 2014, George Clooney co-wrote, directed, and starred in 'The Monuments Men', which faced critical backlash and box-office failure.
May 2015: Focus on Syrian refugees
In May 2015, George Clooney stated he would focus on helping Syrian refugees due to the political complications of the Syrian conflict.
2015: Starring in Tomorrowland and A Very Murray Christmas in 2015
In 2015, George Clooney starred in 'Tomorrowland' and appeared as himself in 'A Very Murray Christmas'.
2015: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2015, George Clooney was awarded the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.
February 2016: Premiere of Hail, Caesar! in February 2016
In February 2016, George Clooney starred in 'Hail, Caesar!', a comedy by the Coen brothers set in the Hollywood film industry in the 1950s, which premiered.
March 2016: Meeting with Syrian refugees and Angela Merkel
In March 2016, George Clooney and his wife Amal met with Syrian refugees living in Berlin to mark the conflict's fifth anniversary, and then met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
April 2016: Commemoration of Armenian Genocide anniversary
In April 2016, George Clooney visited Armenia to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton
In 2016, George Clooney endorsed Hillary Clinton for the presidential election.
June 1, 2017: Start of Highest-Paid Actor Period
From June 1, 2017, George Clooney began a period which would lead to him becoming the world's highest-paid actor for 2017-2018, according to Forbes.
June 2017: Sale of Casamigos Tequila in June 2017
In June 2017, Casamigos Tequila, co-founded by George Clooney, was sold to Diageo for $700 million, with a potential additional $300 million.
October 2017: Release of Suburbicon
In October 2017, George Clooney's directorial project, 'Suburbicon,' was released.
2017: Attended 'The Promise' premiere
In 2017, George Clooney attended the film premiere for 'The Promise', a movie about the Armenian genocide.
June 1, 2018: End of Highest-Paid Actor Period
On June 1, 2018, George Clooney concluded a period which saw him become the world's highest-paid actor for 2017-2018, according to Forbes, earning $239 million.
2018: Pledge to March for Our Lives
In 2018, following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, the Clooneys pledged $500,000 to the March for Our Lives and announced their attendance.
March 28, 2019: Call to boycott Brunei's hotels
On March 28, 2019, George Clooney wrote an open letter calling for a boycott of the Sultan of Brunei's hotels due to a new law punishing homosexual sex and adultery with death by stoning.
May 31, 2019: Premiere of Catch-22
On May 31, 2019, the Hulu historical miniseries 'Catch-22', starring, directing, and produced by George Clooney, premiered to critical acclaim.
July 2020: Virtual Fundraiser for Joe Biden
In July 2020, George Clooney hosted a virtual fundraiser for Joe Biden together with Barack Obama.
August 7, 2020: Donation to Lebanese charities
On August 7, 2020, George and Amal Clooney donated $100,000 to three Lebanese charities (Lebanese Red Cross, Impact Lebanon, and Baytna Baytak) to support Beirut after a deadly explosion.
February 2021: Announcement of Docuseries Production
In February 2021, it was reported that George Clooney's Smokehouse Pictures would collaborate with Sports Illustrated Studios and 101 Studios to create a docuseries on the Ohio State University abuse scandal.
December 22, 2021: Nationwide Premiere of 'The Tender Bar'
On December 22, 2021, 'The Tender Bar,' directed by George Clooney, had its nationwide premiere.
January 7, 2022: Streaming Release of 'The Tender Bar' on Amazon Prime Video
On January 7, 2022, 'The Tender Bar,' directed by George Clooney, began streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
June 2022: Announcement of Documentary Production
In June 2022, HBO announced the start of production for a feature-length documentary, 'Surviving Ohio State', based on the Ohio State University abuse scandal, with plans to debut on HBO and HBO MAX.
September 30, 2022: Initial Release Date for 'Ticket to Paradise'
Initially, 'Ticket to Paradise,' starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts, was set to release in theaters on September 30, 2022, but was later pushed to October 21, 2022.
October 21, 2022: Release of 'Ticket to Paradise'
On October 21, 2022, 'Ticket to Paradise,' starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts, was released in theaters after its initial release date was pushed back.
December 25, 2023: Release of The Boys in the Boat
On December 25, 2023, George Clooney's directorial film 'The Boys in the Boat' was released, receiving mixed reviews.
2023: Nominated for Academy Awards in Six Different Categories
As of 2023, George Clooney is one of two people to have been nominated for Academy Awards in six different categories.
2024: Premiere of Wolfs
In 2024, George Clooney re-teamed with Brad Pitt for the Apple TV+ thriller film Wolfs, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival to positive reviews.
June 17, 2025: Release of 'Surviving Ohio State'
On June 17, 2025, the documentary film 'Surviving Ohio State' was released.
2025: Broadway Debut in Good Night, and Good Luck
In 2025, George Clooney made his Broadway debut in the stage adaptation of 'Good Night, and Good Luck', portraying Edward R. Murrow, and receiving positive reviews and a Tony Award nomination.
2025: Theatre World Award
In 2025, George Clooney was honored with a Theatre World Award for his performance in Good Night, and Good Luck on Broadway.
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