Connect with us

Entertainment

George Clooney’s most epic retro photos as actor celebrates turning 60

George Clooney over the years
There have been some incredible haircuts along the way (for tomorrow)

George Clooney is celebrating turning 60 years old this week, which is as good an excuse as any to take a wander down memory lane and look at some of his most epic throwback photos over the years.

The actor, who began his career in 1978, fast became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, known for his role in hit movies including Argo, Ocean’s Eleven and Tomorrowland.

With a career spanning over four decades, the Oscar and Golden Globe winner has an endless list of achievements – and some pretty amazing throwback photos – to look back on as he turns 60.

He told ET about the milestone birthday: ‘As far as turning 60, listen, I’m not thrilled with it but it’s better than dead. So I’ll take it. I got two options.’

From his iconic turn as Dr Doug Ross in ER – which he starred in from 1994 until 1999 – to his latest projects including The Midnight Sky which he acted in and directed, not much has changed except for a few interesting haircuts along the way.

Here’s a look back at some of the most epic retro snaps of George Clooney to celebrate the big 6-0.

1985 – The Facts Of Life

THE FACTS OF LIFE -- Pictured: George Clooney as George Burnett -- Photo by: Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank
What a hairdo (Picture: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

Not even a dodgy mullet could stop George from making an impression in one of his early acting roles as a handyman in The Facts Of Life.

He played George Burnett across two series of the sitcom before moving on to other projects

1986 – Combat Academy

NBC SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES- COMBAT HIGH -- Pictured: George Clooney as Major Biff Woods -- (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Who doesn’t like a man in uniform? (Picture: Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

A baby-faced George played Major Biff Woods in Combat Academy, a made for TV movie about a pair of misfit teens who get sent to military school after their bad behaviour.

The film failed to impress, but George’s career was set to soar nonetheless.

1987 – Dating Kelly Preston

Kelly Preston and George Clooney (Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Kelly Preston and George Clooney dated for two years in the 80s (Picture: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

George and Kelly dated from 1987 until 1989, a time when a gloriously shaggy-haired George was making guest appearances on hit sitcoms.

Some of his work during this time includes appearing on The Golden Girls and Murder She Wrote.

1988 – Roseanne

UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 29: ROSEANNE -
We’re kind of here for Corporate Clooney (Picture: Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)

George rocked this stunning look for his role as Brooker Brooks in Roseanne.

Brooker was the supervisor/foreman of Rosanne and Jackie at Wellman plastics in eleven episodes of the show.

1989 – Red Surf

American actor George Clooney with shoulder-length hair, wearing a black leather jacket and jeans, as he promotes his new film 'Red Surf', location unknown, circa 1989. Clooney is standing before a poster for the film, which is pinned to a door. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Long hair totally works on him (Picture: Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

George’s locks grow faster than any known to man as by the end of the 80s he was sporting shoulder-length waves.

There truly is no look he can not pull off.

1994 – ER

ER (1994) George Clooney in ER (1994) PeopleGeorge Clooney TitlesER Photo by NBC - ? 2012 NBCUniversal, Inc. - Image courtesy gettyimages.com
Paging Dr Ross… (Picture: NBC)

Widely recognised as one of the most iconic TV medics of all time, one of George’s most remembered roles is as Dr Doug Ross on ER.

As well as being a fan favourite, George impressed the critics too and received two Emmy nominations for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1995 and 1996 and was nominated for three Golden Globes for best actor in a TV series in 1995, 1996 and 1997.  

1996 – The sweater-vest days

UNITED STATES - circa 1996: Actor George Clooney. (Photo by The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)
Chandler Bing from Friends wants his sweater-vest back (Picture: The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)

We’re not sure anyone has ever worn the sleeveless cardigan version of a sweater-vest over an actual vest but weirdly, we don’t hate it.

Maybe leave it in 1996 though….

2021 – The George we know and love

STRICT EMBARGO - EXCLUSIVE - NO PUBLICATION UNTIL 00:01 Thursday 14th January 2021 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chelsea Lauren/BAFTA/REX (11703801s) George Clooney BAFTA A Life in Pictures: George Clooney, supported by TCL, Los Angeles, USA - 13 Jan 2021
He’s aged like a fine wine (Picture: Chelsea Lauren/BAFTA/REX)

Gone are the questionable hairdos in favour of the silver fox look George has become known for.

Happy 60th!

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.


MORE : George Clooney ‘not thrilled’ about turning 60 but admits it’s ‘better than dead’


MORE : George Clooney shares concerns over ER reboot as he reunites with cast 20 years after Dr Douglas Ross exit