Early Life and Education of George Clooney: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of George Clooney. A timeline of key moments.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1977: Tryout for Cincinnati Reds

In 1977, George Clooney tried out for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team.

1989: Marriage to Talia Balsam

In 1989, George Clooney married actress Talia Balsam.

1993: Divorce from Talia Balsam

In 1993, George Clooney and Talia Balsam divorced.

1995: Purchase of Los Angeles Home

In 1995, George Clooney purchased a 7,354-square-foot house in Los Angeles through his George Guilfoyle Trust.

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.

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2006: Humorous statements against Republican Party figures

In 2006, George Clooney made humorous statements against Republican Party figures including Jack Abramoff and Steve Wynn.

2006: Death of Max the Pig

In 2006, Max, the Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig George Clooney gifted to Kelly Preston and kept for 18 years after their breakup, died.

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.

September 21, 2007: Motorcycle Accident in New Jersey

On September 21, 2007, George Clooney and then-girlfriend Sarah Larson were injured in a motorcycle accident in Weehawken, New Jersey, when his motorcycle was hit by a car.

October 9, 2007: Staff Suspended for Accessing Medical Records

On October 9, 2007, over two dozen staff at Palisades Medical Center were suspended for looking at George Clooney's medical records without permission, violating federal law.

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 efforts regarding Darfur.

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.

2008: Supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign

In 2008, George Clooney supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

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.

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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.

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.

October 2010: Initiation of the Satellite Sentinel Project

In October 2010, after a trip to South Sudan, George Clooney and John Prendergast initiated the Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) to monitor armed activity and deter mass atrocities along the border regions of 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."

March 16, 2012: Arrest at Sudanese Embassy Protest

On March 16, 2012, George Clooney was arrested outside the Sudanese Embassy for civil disobedience during a planned protest against Omar al-Bashir. Martin Luther King III was also arrested.

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.

2012: Supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign

In 2012, George Clooney supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

2013: Co-founded Casamigos Tequila

In 2013, George Clooney co-founded Casamigos Tequila with Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman.

April 28, 2014: Engagement to Amal Alamuddin

On April 28, 2014, George Clooney became engaged to British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin.

August 7, 2014: Obtaining Marriage Licenses

On August 7, 2014, George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin obtained marriage licenses at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in the United Kingdom.

September 27, 2014: Marriage to Amal Alamuddin

On September 27, 2014, George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin were officially married at Ca' Farsetti, in a ceremony officiated by Walter Veltroni.

2014: Purchase of Mill House in England

In 2014, George Clooney and his wife Amal Alamuddin bought the Grade II listed Mill House on an island in the River Thames at Sonning Eye in Oxfordshire, England.

2014: Rejection of Daily Mail Apology

In 2014, George Clooney rejected an apology from the Daily Mail for printing a false story, calling the Mail the "worst kind of tabloid."

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: Adoption of Millie the Basset Hound

In 2015, George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin adopted a rescue dog, a Basset Hound named Millie, from the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society.

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.

2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton for president

In 2016, George Clooney endorsed Hillary Clinton for the presidential election.

February 9, 2017: Announcement of Pregnancy

On February 9, 2017, The Talk reported that Amal Clooney was pregnant with twins.

June 6, 2017: Birth of Twins Ella and Alexander

On June 6, 2017, Amal Clooney gave birth to twins, a daughter named Ella and a son named Alexander.

June 2017: Sold Casamigos Tequila

In June 2017, Casamigos Tequila, co-founded by George Clooney, was sold to Diageo for $700 million.

July 10, 2018: Motorcycle Accident in Sardinia

On July 10, 2018, George Clooney was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle to a film set in Sardinia, resulting in minor injuries and hospitalization.

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.

April 3, 2019: Implementation of Brunei's Anti-LGBTQ Law

On April 3, 2019, Brunei's new law came into force, punishing homosexual sex and adultery with death by stoning, leading to George Clooney's call for a boycott of the Sultan of Brunei's hotels.

July 2020: Hosted virtual fundraiser for Joe Biden

In July 2020, George Clooney endorsed Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential election and co-hosted a virtual fundraiser with Obama.

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.

2020: Twins Speaking Italian Fluently

In 2020, George Clooney revealed that his twins, Ella and Alexander, can speak Italian fluently, despite neither he nor Amal speaking the language.

May 2021: Plans to Buy Vineyard in France

In May 2021, it was reported that George Clooney plans to buy a vineyard near the village of Brignoles, in France.

November 2021: Op-Ed Against Publishing Photos of Children

In November 2021, George Clooney wrote an op-ed to The Daily Mail, petitioning them to stop publishing photos of his children due to safety concerns.

July 2024: Called for Biden to withdraw from 2024 election

In a July 2024 op-ed for The New York Times, George Clooney called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election due to concerns about his age and performance.

2025: Stood by Choice to Write Op-Ed

In 2025, while promoting his Broadway play Good Night, and Good Luck, Clooney stated that he stood by his choice in writing the op-ed calling for Biden to withdraw from 2024 election saying, "I was raised to tell the truth."