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's celebrated for his leading roles in both mainstream and independent cinema. Clooney's numerous awards include two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and four Golden Globe Awards. He's also received several honorary awards, 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 culture.
2005: Creation of "Good Night, and Good Luck" film
In 2005, George Clooney worked together with Grant Heslov to create the film "Good Night, and Good Luck".
April 2006: Visit to Chad and Sudan for 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.
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 situation in Sudan, citing the failure of President Omar al-Bashir to comply with UN resolutions.
November 2007: Release of 'Darfur Now'
In November 2007, George Clooney appeared in the documentary film 'Darfur Now', which was released as a call-to-action for people worldwide to help stop the Darfur crisis.
December 2007: Summit Peace Award
In December 2007, George Clooney and Don Cheadle received the Summit Peace Award from the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in Rome, for their activism.
January 18, 2008: 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.
2008: Release of "A Journey to Darfur" on DVD
In 2008, "A Journey to Darfur" was released on DVD, with proceeds donated to the International Rescue Committee. He also spoke to the UN Security Council with Elie Wiesel to ask the UN to find a solution to the conflict and to help the people of Darfur.
2008: Support for Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign
In 2008, George Clooney supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
February 2009: Visit to Goz Beida, Chad
In February 2009, George Clooney visited Goz Beida, Chad, with New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof as part of his involvement with the Not On Our Watch Project.
November 2009: Releases of "The Men Who Stare at Goats" and "Fantastic Mr. Fox"
In November 2009, George Clooney starred in "The Men Who Stare at Goats", which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and was directed by Heslov. Also in November 2009, he voiced the title character in Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr. Fox."
December 25, 2009: Wide Release of "Up in the Air"
On December 25, 2009, the comedy-drama "Up in the Air", directed by Jason Reitman and starring George Clooney, received a wide release after an initial limited release. The Hollywood Reporter praised 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.
October 2010: Initiation of the Satellite Sentinel Project
In October 2010, George Clooney conceived of and initiated the Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) with John Prendergast, following a trip to South Sudan. The SSP aims to monitor armed activity and deter mass atrocities along the border regions between Sudan and South Sudan.
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" and Representation by CAA
In 2011, George Clooney starred in "The Descendants", receiving critical acclaim and winning awards. As of 2011, he was represented by Bryan Lourd of Creative Artists Agency (CAA). He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the political drama 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," a reenactment of the federal trial that overturned California's Prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage.
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 Presidential Campaign
In 2012, George Clooney supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
2013: Producing "August: Osage County"
In 2013, Clooney produced August: Osage County , an adaptation of the play of the same name. The film stars Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts.
2013: Co-founding Casamigos Tequila
In 2013, George Clooney co-founded Casamigos Tequila with Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman.
2013: Producing "Argo" and Co-starring in "Gravity"
In 2013, George Clooney won the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Academy Award for Best Picture for producing "Argo." Also in 2013, he co-starred with Sandra Bullock in the space thriller "Gravity."
2014: Release of "The Monuments Men" and Producing "August: Osage County"
In 2014, George Clooney co-wrote, directed, and starred in "The Monuments Men," which was met with critical negativity and box office failure. Also in 2014, he produced "August: Osage County".
January 11, 2015: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
On January 11, 2015, George Clooney was awarded the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.
May 2015: Focus on Syrian Refugees
In May 2015, George Clooney stated to the BBC that he wanted to focus on helping Syrian refugees due to the political complexities of the Syrian conflict.
2015: Starring in "Tomorrowland" and "A Very Murray Christmas"
In 2015, George Clooney starred in "Tomorrowland" as Frank Walker and was featured as himself in the Netflix Christmas special "A Very Murray Christmas."
February 2016: Premiere of "Hail, Caesar!"
In February 2016, George Clooney starred in "Hail, Caesar!", a comedy by the Coen brothers, playing Baird Whitlock. The movie premiered in February 2016.
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 later with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to thank her for Germany's open-door policy towards refugees.
April 2016: Commemoration of Armenian Genocide
In April 2016, George Clooney visited Armenia to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, as part of the 100 Lives Initiative, which supports recognition and prevention of genocides.
2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton for President
In 2016, George Clooney endorsed Hillary Clinton for the presidential election.
June 2017: Sale of 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 based on performance.
October 2017: Release of "Suburbicon"
In October 2017, George Clooney's directorial project, "Suburbicon", was released. The film stars Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac.
June 1, 2018: Highest-Paid Actor
According to Forbes, between June 1, 2017, and June 1, 2018, George Clooney was the world's highest-paid actor, 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 intention to attend the event.
March 28, 2019: Call for Boycott of Sultan of Brunei's Hotels
On March 28, 2019, George Clooney wrote an open letter calling for a boycott of the Sultan of Brunei's hotels in response to a new law, set to take effect on April 3, 2019, that punishes homosexual sex and adultery with death by stoning.
May 31, 2019: Premiere of "Catch-22"
On May 31, 2019, the Hulu miniseries "Catch-22", starring, directed, and produced by George Clooney, premiered to critical acclaim.
July 2020: Virtual Fundraiser for Joe Biden
In July 2020, George Clooney endorsed Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential election and hosted a virtual fundraiser 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 after the Beirut explosion.
February 2021: Announcement of Docuseries on Ohio State University Abuse Scandal
In February 2021, it was reported that George Clooney's Smokehouse Pictures 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 and starring Ben Affleck, had its nationwide premiere.
January 7, 2022: "The Tender Bar" Streams on Amazon Prime Video
On January 7, 2022, George Clooney's film "The Tender Bar" began streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
June 2022: HBO Announces Docuseries Production
In June 2022, HBO announced that the docuseries about the Ohio State University abuse scandal, produced by George Clooney's Smokehouse Pictures, had started production.
September 30, 2022: Initial Release Date of "Ticket to Paradise"
Initially, George Clooney's film "Ticket to Paradise", where he reunited with Julia Roberts, was set to release in theatres on September 30, 2022.
October 21, 2022: Release of "Ticket to Paradise"
The film "Ticket to Paradise" starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts, was pushed by a month to October 21, 2022.
December 25, 2023: Release of "The Boys in the Boat"
On December 25, 2023, George Clooney's film as a director, The Boys in the Boat which was released.
2023: Academy Award Nominations
As of 2023, George Clooney is one of four people to have been nominated for Academy Awards in six different categories.
2024: Starring in "Wolfs" and "Jay Kelly"
In 2024, George Clooney re-teamed with Brad Pitt for the thriller film "Wolfs" and was cast in "Jay Kelly" for Netflix.
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.
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