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. Renowned for his leading roles in both mainstream and independent cinema, he has garnered significant recognition, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and four Golden Globe Awards. He has also been nominated for multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. Clooney's contributions to the entertainment 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.

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 Property

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 film the TV special 'A Journey to Darfur,' which highlighted the plight of Darfur's refugees and advocated for action. The documentary was broadcast on American cable TV, as well as in the UK and France.

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2006: Humorous Statements Against Republican Party Figures

In 2006, George Clooney made humorous and sarcastic statements against Republican Party figures at the 63rd Golden Globe Awards.

2006: Death of Max the Pig

In 2006, Max, the Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig owned by George Clooney, died. Clooney had kept Max for 18 years after his relationship with Kelly Preston ended. Clooney has referred to Max as the longest relationship he ever had.

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 in the Darfur region, citing the failure of Sudan President Omar al-Bashir to respond to UN resolutions.

September 21, 2007: Motorcycle Accident

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

October 9, 2007: Medical Records Breach

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 following his motorcycle accident.

November 2007: Appearance in Darfur Now

In November 2007, George Clooney appeared in the documentary film 'Darfur Now', which was a call-to-action film released for people all over the world 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 advocacy work regarding the Darfur crisis. Clooney acknowledged their efforts as 'failures' in his acceptance speech.

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. This role was to support the UN's efforts in conflict resolution and peacekeeping.

2008: Supported Barack Obama's 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 proceeds from the sales being donated to the International Rescue Committee, to further aid their humanitarian work.

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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.

January 2010: Organized 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.

October 2010: Initiation of Satellite Sentinel Project

In October 2010, George Clooney, along with John Prendergast, initiated the Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP) following a trip to South Sudan. The SSP aims to monitor armed activity for signs of renewed civil war between Sudan and South Sudan and to detect and deter mass atrocities along the border regions.

May 2011: Op-ed in Washington Post

In May 2011, George Clooney and John Prendergast co-wrote an op-ed piece in the Washington Post titled 'Dancing with a dictator in Sudan', where they argued about...

March 16, 2012: Arrested Outside Sudanese Embassy

On March 16, 2012, George Clooney was arrested outside the Sudanese Embassy for civil disobedience during a planned protest. Several other prominent participants, including Martin Luther King III, were also arrested. Clooney has been noted as a vocal critic of Omar al-Bashir.

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. They bonded over their shared interest in campaigning work, particularly concerning the Elgin Marbles.

August 7, 2014: Obtained 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 Clooney's friend Walter Veltroni, the former mayor of Rome.

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 for around £10 million.

2014: Rejection of apology from the Daily Mail

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: Focus on Syrian Refugees

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 Rescue Dog

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 living in Berlin to mark the fifth anniversary of the conflict, and subsequently met with German chancellor Angela Merkel to thank her for Germany's open-door policy regarding refugees.

April 2016: Commemoration of Armenian Genocide Anniversary

In April 2016, George Clooney visited Armenia to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. He supports the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and is a chief associate of the 100 Lives Initiative and launched the Aurora Prize.

2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton

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

February 9, 2017: Pregnancy Announcement

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

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June 6, 2017: Birth of Twins

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

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 depending on future performance.

July 10, 2018: Car Accident in Sardinia

On July 10, 2018, George Clooney was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle to a film set in Sardinia. He 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 said they would be in attendance to support the cause.

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 set to come into force on April 3, 2019, that punishes homosexual sex and adultery with death by stoning.

April 3, 2019: Law punishing homosexual sex and adultery with death by stoning came into force

The new law in Brunei that punishes homosexual sex and adultery with death by stoning came into force on April 3, 2019. George Clooney called for boycott of the Sultan of Brunei's hotels.

July 2020: Hosted Virtual Fundraiser for Joe Biden

In July 2020, George Clooney hosted a virtual fundraiser for Joe Biden 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: the Lebanese Red Cross, Impact Lebanon, and Baytna Baytak, after Beirut was devastated by an explosion that killed at least 145 people and injured over 5,000.

2020: Twins Speak Italian Fluently

In 2020, George Clooney revealed on talk shows with Jimmy Kimmel and Graham Norton that his twins could speak Italian fluently, even though neither he nor Amal Alamuddin spoke 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, 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 British tabloid The Daily Mail, petitioning them to stop publishing photos of his children, highlighting that his wife is an international lawyer who works "confronting and putting on trial terrorist groups" and that the tabloid was endangering their lives.

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, citing concerns about Biden's age and performance.

2025: Stands by Op-Ed Choice

In 2025, George Clooney, while promoting his Broadway play, stated that he stood by his choice in writing the op-ed calling for Biden to withdraw, emphasizing his commitment to truth.