George Clooney may be one of the biggest names in Hollywood these days. But the actor had humble beginnings at the start of his career. Though fans may remember him from his “ER” days, he also appeared on another hit show.
That’s right “Roseanne” fans! George Clooney appeared on the classic sitcom before his film career took off. He portrayed Booker Brooks, Roseanne’s boss during the show. Eventually, he also became a love interest to Jackie as well. In total, Clooney’s tenure lasted 11 episodes including an eventual guest return.
But these days, he’s not hurting for money. Clooney is so rich that he can afford to turn down $35 million for one day’s labor. The actor and director says he refuses to lose one minute’s sleep over work or money concerns, a luxury few people enjoy these days.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Clooney said he basically has enough money and then some by now. He explained why he wouldn’t shoot an airline commercial for $35 million. And he recounted how his aunt, Rosemary Clooney, taught him about the pitfalls of fame.
“I was offered $35m for one day’s work for an airline commercial, but I talked to [his wife] Amal about it and we decided it’s not worth it,” Clooney told The Guardian. “It was [associated with] a country that, although it’s an ally, is questionable at times, and so I thought: ‘Well, if it takes a minute’s sleep away from me, it’s not worth it.’”
George Clooney Doesn’t Take Fame Too Seriously
Clooney is a major celebrity, but he claims not to let the trappings of fame get to him. Of course, his celebrity does mean that he can command huge sums for the projects he does choose to take on. But watching his famous aunt ride the rollercoaster of fame taught him that it’s fleeting and superficial.
“I was 33, 34 when ER took off, so I was older, right?” he explained. “Also, Rosemary was a huge singer – huge! And then rock’n’roll came and she lost her career. And she didn’t get it, because at 21 she thought she was the real deal and by 26 it was gone. So, I’m lucky enough to understand how little the fame side has to do with me.”
Rosemary Clooney, who played Bing Crosby’s love interest in “White Christmas,” has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6325 Hollywood Boulevard, per IMDb. She rose to fame singing “Come On-a My House,” which she actually reportedly hated, and went on to record such hits as “Botch-a-Me,” “Half as Much” and “Mambo Italiano.”
At 60, Clooney Has Slowed Down Quite a Bit
Now that he’s 60, George Clooney’s acting career has slowed down considerably – he has recently been out promoting The Tender Bar, which he directed rather than starred in – but he doesn’t seem to miss the hustle and bustle of regular work.
“There just aren’t that many great parts – and, look, I don’t have to act,” he told The Guardian. “My wife and I had this conversation when I turned 60 this summer. I said: ‘I can still bounce around pretty good, and we both love what we do. But we gotta make sure we don’t book ourselves silly.’ So, part of it is just us making sure we live our lives.”
Is full retirement in the cards for Clooney before too long? Time will tell. In the interim, he seems to be enjoying sporadic work with plenty of time off.
