George Clooney
George Clooney is Hollywood's last old-school movie star, an Oscar-winning actor, director, and activist who became a genuine billionaire (briefly) and remains one of the most searched celebrities on the planet.
George Timothy Clooney was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky. He spent years grinding through TV bit parts before landing the role of Dr. Doug Ross on ER in 1994, the role that made him a household name and launched one of Hollywood’s most durable A-list careers.
From ER he pivoted to blockbuster films, headlining the Ocean’s franchise, Michael Clayton, Up in the Air, and Gravity, while also stepping behind the camera to direct critically praised films like Good Night, and Good Luck and The Ides of March. He has won two Academy Awards, one for acting (Syriana, 2006) and one as a producer (Argo, 2013).
Beyond acting, Clooney built a business empire. He co-founded Casamigos Tequila in 2013 with Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman; in 2017, spirits giant Diageo acquired it for up to $1 billion, making the sale one of the most talked-about celebrity business exits in history.
He is also a prominent political activist, particularly on the Darfur crisis and on broader human-rights issues. That combination of glamour, talent, business savvy, and outspokenness keeps him perpetually in the public conversation, and in search engines.