On the silver fox&rsquo;s birthday, revisit young George Clooney's most iconic moments.

Since his career began in the late 80s, Kentucky-born heartthrob <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/celebrity-couples-with-twins-beyonce-jennifer-lopez-kids">George Clooney</a> has cemented himself as one of the biggest names in Hollywood. Before there was Grey's Anatomy, ER dominated the TV scene. Clooney rose to fame as Dr. Doug Ross on the NBC medical drama in the 90s and gained two <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-looks-2021-emmy-awards-red-carpet">Emmy</a> nominations. The star then joined the likes of Michael Keaton and Val Kilmer when he bagged the role of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/robert-pattinson-the-batman-diet-workout-routine-superhero-zoe-kravitz">Batman</a> in 1997. It was during his time on ER that Clooney caught the attention of acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh who later cast him as Danny Ocean in one of the biggest franchises in film history: <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/oceans-8-premiere">Ocean's Eleven</a> (2001).&nbsp;
Clooney moved into directing in the early 2000s and was behind films like Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Leatherheads. The actor teamed up with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/tag-heuer-ryan-gosling-brand-ambassador-watches">Ryan Gosling</a> in 2011 for The Ides of March and earned an <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/academy-award-2022-oscar-snubs-nominations-lady-gaga-house-of-gucci">Academy Award</a> in 2013 for the political thriller Argo. In 2022, Clooney became one of three people to be nominated for an Academy Award in six different categories. He has also won four <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/golden-globes-best-looks">Golden Globes</a> and a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/bob-mackie-cfda-geoffrey-beene-2019">Lifetime Achievement Award</a> from the prestigious American Film Institute.&nbsp;
In 2014, Clooney married British-Lebanese human rights lawyer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/amal-clooney-style-moments-george-clooney-kids">Amal Alamuddin</a>, and three years later, they welcomed <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/celebrity-couples-with-twins-beyonce-jennifer-lopez-kids">twins</a> Ella and Alexander. Besides his film work, Clooney is dedicated to several different causes, including GLSEN, an <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/5-famous-lgbtq-music-artists-elton-john-freddie-mercury">LGBTQ+</a> rights organization, and the 100 Lives Initiative, which aims to remember all those lost during the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/kim-kardashian-west-charity-criminal-justice">Armenian</a> Genocide of 1915. Along with the Clooney Foundation for Justice, in 2020, the Clooneys also donated $100,000 to three different <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/most-influential-designers-from-the-arab-diaspora-hedi-slimane-azzedine-alaia">Lebanese</a> charities to support Alamuddin's city of birth, Beirut, after the deadly explosion. To celebrate the decorated actor and activist on his 62nd birthday, L'OFFICIEL looks at Clooney's younger years.

In 1985 Clooney joined the cast of the popular sitcom 'The Facts of Life' as George Burnett, a handsome handyman.

All suited up, Clooney took on the role of Maj. Biff Woods in the 1986 comedy 'Combat High'

In true 80s fashion, Clooney was decked out in plaid suits and big hair.

In the late 80s, Clooney had a short-lived romance with actress and model Kelly Preston. The pair adopted a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig named Max. Clooney later stated that Max was his "longest relationship to date."

'Roseanne' was one of the biggest shows of the 90s and Clooney managed to snag a guest role in season one as Booker.

Clooney sported neon yellow shorts at the "Stars Shoot the Hoop" Celebrity Basketball Game in support of the 1989 Special Olympics.

Clooney has always known how to capture attention, and this 1992 photoshoot is no exception. 

Clooney poses as Doctor Doug Ross for 'ER': the show that catapulted him to fame.

In 1994, Clooney made his late night debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Looking effortlessly cool, Clooney catches up with paparazzi outside LAX before a flight to New York in 1995.

While Clooney doesn't have any tattoos in real life, the Chicano and prison style tattoos from his role as Seth Gecko in 'From Dusk Till Dawn' are iconic.

While he was developing his filmography, Clooney was still starring as Dr. Doug Ross on 'ER' and had to film in a rainstorm for the episode 'Hell and High Water'

Hosting 'Saturday Night Live' is a major feat for any star. In 1995, Clooney made his SNL hosting debut during the show's 20th season.

Clooney and 80s icon Michelle Pfeiffer played single parents in the 1996 film 'One Fine Day.'

Clooney was no stranger to red carpets in the late 90s, and often attended them with his 'ER' costar Julianna Margulies.

Before Robert Pattinson, Ben Affleck, or Christian Bale, Clooney donned the iconic batsuit in the 1997 film 'Batman and Robin.'

Clooney attended GQ's Men of the Year with his 'From Dusk till Dawn' costar Salma Hayek in 1998

In 2001, Clooney became a household name with his role as Danny Ocean in 'Ocean's Eleven' with Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.

Look Back at Young George Clooney’s Best Moments

Tags

Related Articles

Pop culture

8 Celebrity Couples that Have Twins

Fashion

Amal Clooney’s Best Style Moments

Film & TV

8 Political Films and TV Shows to Watch Now

Recommended posts for you

Pop culture

Why a Girl’s Journal Might Be Her Most Precious Possession

Pop culture

Pamela Anderson Says Her Career Renaissance Is "A Second Chance"

Film & TV

Everything To Know About the 2026 Golden Globes

Fashion

All The Spring/Summer 2026 Campaigns To Keep On Your Radar

Fashion

This Season's Must-Have Accessory Is The Mini Handbag

Film & TV

Will Callum Turner Be The Next James Bond?

Fashion

Willy Chavarria’s Womenswear Era Has Arrived

Beauty

Unlock Spa-Level Radiance With the Best At-Home Facial Devices