A young man with long, wavy hair took on modest television roles and odd occupations to make ends meet in the 1980s. He was personable and gifted, but Hollywood didn’t seem to be taking notice of him yet, and success was far off.
Despite coming from a family that was already accustomed to celebrity, he refused to rely on that name. He accepted any parts he could get in order to establish himself independently, making fleeting appearances on programs like “The Facts of Life” and “Roseanne.”
Things were not at all simple behind the scenes. He tried out for more than a dozen television pilots and a number of unsuccessful series. He might have given up after every unsuccessful project, yet he persisted.
When he was cast as a charismatic doctor in a new medical drama in 1994, everything changed. He became an overnight success and began one of the most illustrious careers in Hollywood history with just one part.
George Clooney was that long-haired young man from the 1980s. He is now regarded as one of the world’s most accomplished performers, directors, and humanitarians.
