Prolific actor George Clooney made the biggest leap of his career as he took the Broadway stage for the first time in early March.
“I mean, look at this place. This is proper old Broadway and it’s exciting to be here,” Clooney told “60 Minutes” on March 23. “Let’s not kid ourselves: it’s nerve-wracking.” Clooney also opened up about health issues in his family and a genre of film he has moved on from.
Starring in “Good Night, and Good Luck,” Clooney takes on the role of CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow, whose career is depicted in the play.
Clooney also directed, wrote and co-starred in a movie of the same name in 2005. While this marks the actor’s Broadway debut, Clooney isn’t a stranger to the stage. He also played a role in “Vicious,” the 1986 play depicting the life of Sex Pistols front man Sid Vicious, staged in Hollywood at The Complex and Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
Clooney Dives Into Health Issues His Family Has Dealt With Over the Years
When it comes to the play, the biggest issue Clooney has is with all the smoking the characters have to do, he told “60 Minutes.”
While he says his father is alive and well today due to not smoking, Clooney’s aunt – the storied singer Rosemary Clooney – died because of the habit.
“Smoking in our family is a big problem,” Clooney laments. “Almost all of my family died of lung cancer.”
Clooney Believes the Story Being Told Is Relevant Today
The play, which Clooney co-wrote with his producing partner Grant Heslov, was conceived of in 2001.
“I think it was a good time to talk about when the press held the government to account,” the actor told “60 Minutes.” The United States was at war with Iraq at the time.
“Originally it wasn’t for today. … But this is a story that stands the test of time,” Haslov told “60 Minutes.” “I think it’s a story you could keep telling over and over. I don’t think it’ll ever thematically get old.”
A Gifted Cast Helps Get the Story Across
Comedian and producer Ilana Glazer also stars in the play as CBS News’ Shirley Wershba. She tells “60 Minutes” that Clooney is an able leader, breaking tension for the play when it is most needed.
“He’s shaky. It’s tough,” she jokes about Clooney’s captaincy. “We’re all so focused on this material. It’s serious. We’re trying to make it as honest as possible.”
Clooney is joined by a cast including Glazer, Clark Gregg, Glenn Fleshler, Carter Hudson, and Paul Gross.
Clooney recognizes he’s in a different phase of his life. Gone are his bachelor days, as he takes on a new chapter with his wife, Amal, and two children.
“I’m 63 years old,” he admits.” “I’m not trying to compete with 25 year old leading men. That’s not my job. I’m not doing romantic films anymore.”
The last romantic comedy Clooney starred in was 2022’s “Ticket to Paradise” with Julia Roberts.
The profile stretched into “60 Minutes Overtime,” which features an extended look at the play.
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George Clooney Gets Personal About Family Health Struggles