Few people have had a Hollywood career quite like George Clooney. The actor-producer-director has become an international icon and earned the respect of moviegoers everywhere with his unforgettable performances, quick wit, and charm. His humanitarian work outside of the movie industry is also highly admirable. Clooney has found success in several ventures, and in this blog post, we will be taking a look at some of the most memorable from his career so far that keeps Clooney one of the biggest Hollywood movie stars well into his 60s.
ER Douglass Ross
George Clooney’s Doug Ross was the perennial heartthrob on the beloved medical drama ER. Even though ER was Clooney’s breakout role, the character left in season 5. Before Grey’s Anatomy became the most popular medical series of all time in the U.S., ER was the biggest television shows of its kind, airing on NBC for 15 seasons airing from 1994 to 2009. ER took us inside and outside the medical room as we bonded with the personal lives of the doctors.
Clooney was one of the six original cast members of ER. Ross served as the primary pediatrician in the ER and had a rebellious streak and, for a time, a womanizing attitude. He cared deeply for his patients and would go to any length to help them, including bending the rules. As such, he often got into trouble with his superiors and fellow doctors.
In real life, Clooney had control of his own exit from ER. Clooney was contracted to be on the show for 5 seasons, and after that was up, he chose to focus on doing movies. Before he left ER in 1999, Clooney had already picked up some significant roles in films with From Dusk Till Dawn and Batman & Robin.
From Dusk Till Dawn
Even before ER made him a global household name, he’d had over a decade of TV and film bit parts, and as entertaining as it is to see him pop up in shows like Murder She Wrote or The Golden Girls nowadays, it hardly set the world alight as a portent of a major movie star, so much as a charismatic scene stealer.
His first movie leading role during the run of ER, from Dusk Till Dawn, Tarantino co-wrote and Robert Rodriguez directed a film that saw Clooney play Seth Gecko, a convict freed from prison by his younger psychopathic brother Richie (Tarantino), who then joins him in resuming a crime spree after a bank job.
It’s only when you place Clooney’s character next to his unhinged sibling that he even possesses a moral code that could even remotely be associated with his TV persona – and even then, it’s so inverted that the moral flexibility is in the service of claiming to only kill those who deserve it, in contrast to his younger brother.
Clooney’s darkest screen persona iteration to date, but also for this reason, the most influential in establishing the types of characters he goes on to play. Clooney was now firmly cemented as a Hollywood A-lister, and the more conventional leading men roles in blockbusters duly kept on coming his way.
Out of Sight Jack Foley
Clooney’s done consummate cool so effortlessly that you don’t think about how that’s not easy. A film era at the moment is always different from a film era in retrospect. And as strange as it sounds now, at the tail end of the ’90s, Clooney’s film career looked dicey after a string of critical and box office bombs. Rarely before had a jawline, so it clearly needed a win.
Fortunately, Clooney hit the jackpot in 1998 when he landed the right vehicle for his Old Hollywood panache in Out of Sight. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, had Clooney play Jack Foley, a bank robber on the lam whose charms and lady luck always fail him at the 11th hour. Hot on his tail is Jennifer Lopez as Karen Sisco, the U.S. marshal charged with getting him back behind bars. Like Clooney, Out of Sight helped propel Jennifer Lopez into superstar status after the commercial success of the film Selena.
Ocean’s Eleven Danny Ocean
Ocean’s Eleven, released in 2001, is a slick, stylish heist film directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring an A-list cast that includes George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. This action-comedy film is a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film, and it follows Danny Ocean, a recently paroled thief, as he gathers a team to pull off an elaborate casino heist.
The Ocean’s Eleven remake marked a pivotal moment in Clooney’s career, showcasing his ability to work alongside other A-list actors. Like the original film, each character, including Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, brings their exceptional talents to help rob some of the top casinos near me and you that we love on the Vegas Strip.
Part of the joy of watching the team plan every detail of the heist down to the minute is the tongue-in-cheek moments and the timely comedic moments while maintaining a serious tone. The roaring success of the Ocean’s Eleven remake spared two highly successful remakes.
Burn After Reading Harry Pfarrer
In Burn After Reading, George Clooney portrays married federal marshal Harry Pfarrer, who is having an affair with Osborne Cox’s wife, Katie Cox (Tilda Swinton). Clooney’s third collaboration with the Coens, the film also starred John Malkovich. He was also in O Brother Where Art Thou? in 2000 and Intolerable Cruelty in 2003. The Coens wrote the role of Pfarrer specifically for Clooney.
The Coens usually only work on one project at a time, but they made an exception in the case of Burn After Reading. “We actually wrote this script around the same time we were adapting No Country for Old Men,” said Joel Coen. They later won Oscars for No Country for Old Men. Burn After Reading showcases another area of Clooney’s amazing acting range, effortlessly switching from comedic gold moments to dead serious cantor with a twinge of humor.
Conclusion
George Clooney’s influence in the entertainment industry is truly remarkable. His success on the screen and behind it has made him one of the most accomplished and respected figures in Hollywood. Clooney’s ability to portray a diverse range of characters with such skill and nuance.
In addition to his work in film, Clooney’s dedication to humanitarian causes and social justice has made him a role model for many around the world. His philanthropic efforts have not only had a tangible impact but have also inspired countless others to become more involved and work towards positive change. Clooney’s legacy is one of immense talent, generosity, and a commitment to making the world a better place for all.
As we reflect on the best of George Clooney’s career, it is clear that he has earned his place among the greatest stars in Hollywood history. From his memorable performances on screen to his behind-the-scenes work and charitable contributions.
