George Clooney is a renowned American actor, director, entrepreneur, and activist with a net worth estimated at $500 million. While he is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s top-paid actors, the bulk of his fortune is attributed to ventures outside of his acting career. Clooney’s most notable entrepreneurial achievement was co-founding Casamigos Tequila, which he and his partners sold to Diageo for $1 billion in 2017.
Hollywood Stardom and Box Office Success
Clooney rose to fame in the 1990s with his portrayal of Dr. Doug Ross on the popular TV series ER, which established him as a leading man in the entertainment industry. He quickly transitioned into film, starring in notable movies like From Dusk Till Dawn, Out of Sight, and Three Kings. Clooney’s performance in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and The Perfect Storm earned him significant critical acclaim.
As his career advanced, Clooney became a major star with the Ocean’s Eleven franchise and ventured into directing with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. He received Academy Award nominations for his roles in Syriana and Michael Clayton, winning Best Supporting Actor for Syriana. Clooney also directed successful films like Good Night, and Good Luck and The Ides of March, further cementing his place in Hollywood.
His later works, including Up in the Air, The Descendants, Gravity, and The Midnight Sky, continued to showcase his versatility. Clooney’s contributions to the film industry are remarkable, as he became one of only two people, alongside Walt Disney, to be nominated for Academy Awards in six different categories.
The Casamigos Tequila Sale
In 2013, George Clooney, along with entrepreneurs Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman, co-founded Casamigos Tequila. Initially a private brand for friends and family, the tequila label was turned into a public brand in 2013. Four years later, the trio sold Casamigos to Diageo for $1 billion. The deal included $700 million in cash and an additional $300 million in performance-based bonuses.
Clooney’s share of the cash portion was approximately $230 million before taxes, translating to a net payout of about $150 million after taxes. This sale is one of the key contributors to Clooney’s substantial wealth.
George Clooney’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky, George Timothy Clooney comes from a family with a rich media background. His mother, Nina Bruce, was a beauty queen and city councilwoman, while his father, Nick Clooney, was a former anchorman and TV host. Clooney’s early years were spent in various locations, including Ohio and Kentucky, where he attended school and was later diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy during his adolescence. Despite facing challenges like bullying during this period, he remained active in sports, including basketball.
After high school, Clooney briefly attended Northern Kentucky University, where he studied broadcast journalism but did not graduate. He moved to Los Angeles in search of acting opportunities and initially struggled, even living in his car parked at his famous aunt Rosemary Clooney’s mansion. He landed minor roles in television shows like The Facts of Life and Roseanne, setting the stage for bigger things.
Clooney’s Big Break and Hollywood Success
Clooney’s first major role came in 1984 with the sitcom E/R. However, his career truly took off in 1994 when he joined the cast of ER as Dr. Doug Ross. His performance on the medical drama earned him critical acclaim, including nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globes. Clooney balanced his TV career with films such as From Dusk Till Dawn, One Fine Day, and Out of Sight. His portrayal of Batman in Batman & Robin (1997) was one of his more memorable roles, though the film itself did not achieve the same level of success.
Post-ER Career and Continued Success
After leaving ER in 1999, Clooney found immense success in Hollywood. He starred in the Ocean’s Eleven franchise, which was a major box office hit, and went on to appear in films like The Perfect Storm and O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Clooney’s acting career was marked by an Academy Award win for his role in Syriana in 2005, while his directing work on Good Night, and Good Luck earned him multiple Oscar nominations.
Throughout the years, Clooney continued to shine in both lead and supporting roles. Films like The Descendants (2011), Gravity (2013), and Hail, Caesar! (2016) showcased his versatility as an actor. Clooney also directed and starred in the critically praised The Midnight Sky (2020), and he reunited with Julia Roberts for Ticket to Paradise (2022).
George Clooney’s Career Earnings and Notable Salaries
Throughout his career, Clooney has earned substantial sums for his acting roles. Early on, he earned $40,000 per episode for his work on Sisters, accumulating a total of $760,000. By the time he was starring on ER, Clooney was earning $100,000 per episode, bringing in about $11 million for his role on the show.
Notable salaries for his films include $3 million for One Fine Day, $10 million for Batman & Robin, and $20 million for Ocean’s Eleven. His earnings have increased significantly over time, with one of his biggest paydays coming from Gravity, where he earned $20 million plus a revenue share. In 2024, Clooney was paid $35 million for his role in Wolfs.
Nespresso Endorsement and Other Ventures
Since 2013, Clooney has been the face of Nespresso, earning an impressive $40 million from this endorsement deal. In addition to his lucrative career in film, Clooney has used a portion of his earnings to fund various humanitarian causes. Notably, he has funded a spy satellite that monitors Sudan for human rights violations, particularly focusing on former Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir.
In a surprising move, Clooney once declined a $35 million paycheck for a one-day commercial shoot, stating that the money wasn’t worth it. This decision exemplifies Clooney’s commitment to his values, even when faced with substantial financial offers.
Real Estate Portfolio and Luxury Properties
George and Amal Clooney have amassed a significant real estate portfolio valued at over $100 million. One of their most iconic properties is Villa Oleander, a 15-bedroom estate located on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. Clooney bought the property in 2002 for $30 million, and it has since become a legendary destination in Hollywood circles, often hosting friends and family during special occasions.
In addition to their Italian villa, the Clooneys own a $7 million property in Berkshire, England, and a New York City apartment. In 2021, they added a vineyard in France to their portfolio, purchasing the Domaine du Canadel for $7.5 million.
