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'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.

Sections (4)

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

1977: Tryout for the Cincinnati Reds

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

1995: Purchase of Los Angeles Property

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

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.

2006: Death of Max the Pig

In 2006, Max, George Clooney's Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig that he kept for 18 years, died.

2006: Sarcastic Remarks at the Golden Globe Awards

In 2006, at the 63rd Golden Globe Awards, George Clooney sarcastically thanked Jack Abramoff and made comments about Republican donor Steve Wynn.

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.

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 at Palisades Medical Center

On October 9, 2007, more than two dozen staff at Palisades Medical Center were suspended without pay for looking at George Clooney's medical records in violation of federal law.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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. Other prominent participants, including Martin Luther King III, were also arrested.

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: Co-founding 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.

July 2014: Mocking the Daily Mail

In July 2014, George Clooney publicly mocked the British tabloid newspaper Daily Mail after it claimed his fiancée's mother opposed their marriage on religious grounds and refused to accept the apology when the tabloid apologized for its false story.

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 of 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, the former mayor of Rome.

2014: Purchase of Mill House in Oxfordshire

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 for around £10 million.

2014: Rejection of Daily Mail Apology

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

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: Adoption of Rescue Dog Millie

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 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.

February 9, 2017: Amal's Pregnancy Announced

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

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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.

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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.

June 7, 2018: AFI Life Achievement Award

On June 7, 2018, George Clooney received the AFI Life Achievement Award, presented by Shirley MacLaine.

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 and was hospitalized with minor injuries.

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.

April 3, 2019: Brunei Law Punishing Homosexuality Takes Effect

On April 3, 2019, the law in Brunei punishing homosexual sex and adultery with death by stoning came into force, prompting an open letter from George Clooney calling for a boycott of the Sultan of Brunei's hotels.

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.

2020: Twins Speaking Italian

In 2020, George Clooney revealed on talk shows with Jimmy Kimmel and Graham Norton that the twins can speak Italian fluently, even though neither he nor Amal Alamuddin speak the language.

May 2021: Plans to Buy Vineyard in France

In May 2021, The Economic Times reported that George Clooney plans to buy a vineyard near the village of Brignoles in France, which includes an 18th-century manor with its own swimming pool and a tennis court.

November 2021: Op-Ed to The Daily Mail

In November 2021, George Clooney wrote an op-ed to the British tabloid The Daily Mail, petitioning them to stop publishing photos of his children, citing security concerns related to his wife's work as an international lawyer.

July 2024: Call for Biden to Withdraw from 2024 Election

In July 2024, George Clooney wrote an op-ed for The New York Times calling for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election due to concerns about Biden's performance after a debate, citing his age as a significant factor.

2025: Defense of Op-Ed on Biden

In 2025, while promoting his Broadway play, George Clooney defended his decision to write the op-ed calling for Biden to withdraw from the 2024 election, stating he was raised to tell the truth.