It's hard not to admire George Clooney. The man has worked his way up the ranks, became a superstar, and still manages to be loved and admired. But me, I'm not a fan because of his recent stints in films like the Ocean series, nor for his Batman, nor his sexy stint on ER. I'm a die-hard fan of the old Clooney days, where he sported a mullet and popped up in television shows like The Facts of Life and awesome flicks like Return of the Killer Tomatoes.
Seeing the above pictures, which are peeks of Clooney while shooting his new movie Men Who Stare at Goats (courtesy of Just Jared and The Bad and the Ugly), I couldn't help but think back to how the heartthrob has changed over the years, morphing from awkward kid to handsome leading man. So, I'm going to go backwards.
Consider the above number one, and then head through the jump to watch him become a sexy, bespeckled youngin' in six steps.
The Oceans YearsO Brother, Where Art Thou? marked the end of his years in the ER, and Ocean's Eleven marked Clooney's definite switch from television hunk to big-screen megastar. After getting his heist on, Clooney was pretty much unstoppable, using his fame for passion projects like Syriana and Michael Clayton, and wild bits of fun like Burn After Reading. Of course, the start of the cinematic trio was also a nice springboard for his directorial debut -- Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
Becoming a Leading ManOf course, the above films weren't the beginning of his successful cinematic career. Sure, his nipply bat stint wasn't the most beloved of the Batman adaptations, but he also had his time as Seth Gecko in From Dusk Till Dawn, and a few years later, as one of the stars of Three Kings, which came upon the actor just as he geared up to finally bid adieu to his super-popular television life.
The Final Television YearsBy the time George Clooney signed on to ER in 1994, he already had a slew of shows under his belt, but unlike the actor's earlier work, this was his cue to become a leading man. His time as Dr. Doug Ross acted as the bridge between goofy '80s actor and new-millennium box office draw. He spent the last half of the '90s on the show, partaking in 108 episodes.
The Growing YearsBefore the shorn hair and hospital-laden thirties, George Clooney spent time with Roseanne as the alliterative Booker Brooks. This was back when his television work wasn't topped with added helpings of cinematic goodness. While playing Mr. Brooks from 1988-1991, Clooney also busied himself with television movies like Rewrite for Murder and a short-lived show, Sunset Beat.
The Prime Mullet YearsThese are the best of the best days. Just before Roseanne, he fought savage tomatoes in Return of the Killer Tomatoes! and faced off against John Astin. But there were also appearances on super-awesome shows like Murder, She Wrote, Hunter, and The Golden Girls. However, before all that, he WAS the helpful carpenter, George Burnett, on Facts of Life. The fact that he survived the mullet stage and made such a career for himself is shocking enough.
The Awkward Years of YouthNot knowing the guy back in his youth, there's not much I can say about the dapper young man to the right. But there is this: If you know an awkward young kid, comfort him with this: If that boy to the right can become a beloved, hot superstar, anything is possible!
George Clooney Snapshots
VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 27: Actors George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and Brad Pitt attend the Official Dinner during the 65th Venice Film Festival held at the Piazzale del Casino on August 27, 2008 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
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(From L) US director Joel Coen, US actor Brad Pitt, US actress Frances McDormand, US director Ethan Coen, British actress Tilda Swinton and US actor George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
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(From L) US director Joel Coen, US actor Brad Pitt, US actress Frances McDormand, US director Ethan Coen, British actress Tilda Swinton and US actor George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at the Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
(L to R) US director Joel Coen, compatriots actor Brad Pitt, actress Frances McDormand, director Ethan Coen, British actress Tilda Swinton and US actor George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition.. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
British actress Tilda Swinton (R) and US actor George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at the Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 27: Actors Brad Pitt and George Clooney arrive at the opening ceremony and 'Burn After Reading' Premiere during the 65th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on August 27, 2008 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
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VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 27: Actors Brad Pitt and George Clooney arrive at the opening ceremony and 'Burn After Reading' Premiere during the 65th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on August 27, 2008 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
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VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 27: Actors Brad Pitt and George Clooney arrive at the opening ceremony and 'Burn After Reading' Premiere during the 65th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on August 27, 2008 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Getty Images
US actors Brad Pitt (L) and George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US actors Brad Pitt (L) and George Clooney pose before the screening of the movie movie "Burn After Reading" directed by Ethan and Joel Coen during the 65th Venice International Film Festival at Venice Lido, on August 27, 2008. "Burn After Reading" is presented out of competition. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
1. Another early role was on the sitcom E/R. in 1984 Clooney had a supporting role, as Ace on the show that stared Elliott Gould and Mary McDonnell and featured a youngish Jason Alexander. In a strange coincidence,the show was set in Chicago.
Posted at 10:47PM on Oct 14th 2008 by Douglass Abramson