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 and filmmaker recognized for his leading roles in both major and independent films. He has received numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and four Golden Globe Awards. He has also been nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. Clooney's 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.
2005: Release of Good Night, and Good Luck
In 2005, George Clooney and Grant Heslov adapted the play from their 2005 film of the same name, Good Night, and Good Luck
August 2006: Starts Smokehouse Pictures
In August 2006, George Clooney and Grant Heslov started the production company Smokehouse Pictures.
January 22, 2008: Nominated for Academy Award
On January 22, 2008, George Clooney was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Michael Clayton (2007), but lost to Daniel Day-Lewis.
April 4, 2008: Resigns from Writers Guild of America
On April 4, 2008, George Clooney resigned from the Writers Guild of America over a dispute concerning the film Leatherheads, after being denied a writing credit.
2008: Supports Barack Obama
In 2008, George Clooney supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
February 2009: Visits Goz Beida, Chad
In February 2009, George Clooney visited Goz Beida, Chad, with New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof to raise awareness.
November 2009: Stars in The Men Who Stare at Goats and Fantastic Mr. Fox
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: Up in the Air Wide Release
On December 25, 2009, the comedy-drama Up in the Air, starring George Clooney, was given a wide release, receiving praise for his performance.
January 2010: Organizes Hope for Haiti Now Telethon
In January 2010, George Clooney organized the telethon Hope for Haiti Now, which collected donations for the 2010 Haiti earthquake victims.
2011: Stars in The Descendants
In 2011, George Clooney starred in The Descendants, receiving critical acclaim and several award nominations.
2012: Supports Barack Obama
In 2012, George Clooney supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign for a second time.
2013: Produces August: Osage County
In 2013 George Clooney produced August: Osage County, an adaptation of the play of the same title.
2013: Co-founds Casamigos Tequila
In 2013, George Clooney co-founded Casamigos Tequila with Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman.
2013: Wins awards for Argo
In 2013, George Clooney won the Golden Globe Award, the BAFTA Award, and the Academy Award for Best Picture as a producer for Argo.
2014: Release of The Monuments Men
In 2014, George Clooney co-wrote, directed, and starred in The Monuments Men, which received critical backlash and was a box-office failure.
2015: Stars in Tomorrowland and A Very Murray Christmas
In 2015, George Clooney starred in Tomorrowland and appeared as himself in A Very Murray Christmas on Netflix.
February 2016: Stars in Hail, Caesar!
In February 2016, George Clooney starred in Hail, Caesar!, a comedy by the Coen brothers.
2016: Endorses Hillary Clinton
In 2016, George Clooney endorsed Hillary Clinton for the presidential election.
June 2017: Sells Casamigos Tequila
In June 2017, Casamigos Tequila, co-founded by George Clooney, was sold to Diageo for $700 million, with a possible additional $300 million.
October 2017: Suburbicon Released
In October 2017, George Clooney's directorial project Suburbicon, a crime comedy set in the 1950s, was released.
June 1, 2018: Highest-Paid Actor
According to Forbes, George Clooney was the world's highest-paid actor for 2017–2018, earning $239 million between June 1, 2017, and June 1, 2018.
May 31, 2019: Catch-22 Premieres
On May 31, 2019, the Hulu historical miniseries Catch-22, starring, directing, and produced by George Clooney, premiered to critical acclaim.
July 2020: Hosts Virtual Fundraiser for Joe Biden
In July 2020, George Clooney hosted a virtual fundraiser for Joe Biden together with Barack Obama.
February 2021: Smokehouse Pictures to produce Ohio State University docuseries
In February 2021, George Clooney's Smokehouse Pictures announced it would team with Sports Illustrated Studios and 101 Studios to produce a docuseries about 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: The Tender Bar Streams on Amazon Prime Video
On January 7, 2022, The Tender Bar, directed by George Clooney, 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 initially set to release in theatres on September 30, 2022, but was delayed.
October 21, 2022: Ticket to Paradise Released
October 21, 2022, saw the release of Ticket to Paradise, a romantic comedy film starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
December 25, 2023: The Boys in the Boat Released
On December 25, 2023, The Boys in the Boat, directed by George Clooney and starring Callum Turner and Joel Edgerton, was released.
July 2024: Op-ed calling for Biden to withdraw
In a July 2024 op-ed for The New York Times, George Clooney called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election after a debate in which Biden had underperformed.
2024: Stars in Wolfs
In 2024, George Clooney re-teamed with Brad Pitt for the Apple TV+ thriller film Wolfs, which premiered to positive reviews.
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.
Mentioned in this timeline
Home Box Office HBO is an American pay television service...
Jennifer Lopez or J Lo is a multifaceted American entertainer...
World Wrestling Entertainment WWE is a prominent American professional wrestling...
Amazon Prime is a subscription service offering a variety of...
CBS is a major American commercial broadcast television and radio...
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is an American politician lawyer and...
Trending
7 days ago Lorenzo Musetti set to clash with Lorenzo Sonego at Paris Masters.
6 months ago Russell Crowe's Underrated Performance Highlighted in Michael Mann's Movie, Alongside Recent Movie Choices.
10 minutes ago Armenian PM acknowledges Azerbaijan's role in regional unblocking and cargo transport decisions.
4 months ago StubHub's Legitimacy, Consumer Protection Success, and Le Sserafim Tour Tickets Explored.
11 minutes ago Rivian Stock: Buy, Partnership Signals Shift, Goldman Sachs Cuts Target.
3 months ago Iga Swiatek dominates Potapova in Cincinnati Open, securing a swift victory in 73 minutes
Popular
Chuck Schumer is the senior United States Senator from New...
Gavin Newsom is an American politician and businessman currently serving...
Zohran Kwame Mamdani is an American politician currently serving as...
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
Candace Owens is an American political commentator and author known...
Abigail Spanberger is an American politician who served as the...