George Clooney’s Net Worth and Salary: What Is It?
With a net worth of $500 million, George Clooney stands out as an American actor, director, screenwriter, entrepreneur, and activist. Despite being among Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, most of his wealth did not stem from his film career. A key contributor to his fortune is his co-founding of Casamigos Tequila. In 2017, Clooney and his partners sold Casamigos to Diageo for an impressive $1 billion. More details about this sale can be found later in the article.
As one of the entertainment industry’s top A-list actors, Clooney typically commands at least $20 million per film role, excluding backend profits and residuals. He initially rose to fame in the 1990s through his character Dr. Doug Ross in the renowned medical drama “ER.” Transitioning to cinema, Clooney featured in films like “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Out of Sight,” and “Three Kings,” earning widespread acclaim for roles in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “The Perfect Storm.”
His success expanded with the “Ocean’s Eleven” series, alongside his directorial debut in “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.” Clooney received Academy Award nominations for his performances in “Syriana” and “Michael Clayton,” ultimately winning Best Supporting Actor for the former. His directorial endeavors, such as “Good Night, and Good Luck” and “The Ides of March,” received significant admiration. Clooney also co-founded Smokehouse Pictures and actively participates in humanitarian initiatives, leveraging his fame to highlight various social and political issues. His recent prominent projects include “Up in the Air,” “The Descendants,” “Gravity,” and “The Midnight Sky,” the latter of which he directed. Remarkably, Clooney is among only two individuals (the other being Walt Disney) to receive nominations for Academy Awards across six distinct categories.
Revenue From Casamigos Tequila
In 2013, George, alongside entrepreneurs Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman, co-founded Casamigos Tequila. Gerber is best known for his marriage to Cindy Crawford, while Meldman enjoys success as a real estate mogul. Initially, the trio launched the brand as a private label intended to provide tequila to family and friends, later transforming it into a public label in 2013.
On June 21, 2017, Clooney, Gerber, and Meldman made the decision to sell Casamigos to Diageo, an alcohol conglomerate, for $1 billion. The agreement stipulated a payment of $700 million in cash, supplemented by $300 million in bonuses contingent upon future performance goals. Assuming an equal distribution of the initial $700 million, George’s pre-tax share would approximate $230 million, equating to around $150 million after taxes.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
George Clooney’s Early Life
Born George Timothy Clooney on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky, he is the offspring of Nina Bruce, a prominent beauty queen and city council member, and Nick Clooney, a former anchorman and television host. Clooney was raised in the Roman Catholic faith, although he has described himself as being somewhat agnostic in adulthood. He attended Blessed Sacrament School in Fort
After living in Kentucky, the family relocated to Mason, Ohio.
The Clooneys made their way back to Kentucky, where George, during his seventh-grade year, experienced Bell’s Palsy—an affliction that leads to partial facial paralysis. Though the condition resolved after a year, Clooney recalled the challenges he faced at school due to bullying related to it. Passionate about basketball and basement games, he even tried out for the Cincinnati Reds following high school, but he did not make the cut. Clooney attended Northern Kentucky University from 1979 to 1981, focusing on broadcast journalism, but did not complete his degree.
Early Career
Upon relocating to Los Angeles, George found himself living in his car for a period. It is worth mentioning that his vehicle was parked in the driveway of a Beverly Hills mansion owned by his well-known aunt, singer Rosemary Clooney. Notably, Rosemary’s son, the late Miguel Ferrer, also carved out a successful acting career. Shortly thereafter, George secured minor roles in television series such as “The Facts of Life,” “Roseanne,” and “The Golden Girls.”
Breakthrough
The sitcom “E/R” marked his first significant role in 1984, which should not be mistaken for his breakthrough performance as Dr. Doug Ross in the NBC drama “ER,” that commenced in 1994.
While he was still part of “ER,” he acted in several films, including “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “One Fine Day,” and “Out of Sight.” He also took on the role of “Batman,” succeeding Val Kilmer, although he participated in just one “Batman” film. Clooney was a part of “ER” from 1994 until 1999 and again in 2000 and 2009, appearing in a total of 109 episodes. During his tenure as Dr. Ross on “ER,” he earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor.
After “ER”
After departing “ER” in 1999, Clooney enjoyed a series of box office hits, the most notable being “Ocean’s 11” in 2001. He starred in “The Perfect Storm” as well as “O Brother, Where Art Thou” in 2000. Clooney reprised his role in “Ocean’s 12” and “Ocean’s 13.” In 2005, he featured in “Syriana,” winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. That same year, he received nominations for both writing and directing “Good Night, and Good Luck,” making history as the first individual to be nominated for directing one film and acting in another in the same year.
His success continued with performances alongside Ewan McGregor in 2009’s “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” and in the same year, he released “Up in the Air” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” Clooney garnered widespread acclaim for his roles in 2011’s “The Descendants” and 2013’s “The Ides of March” as well as for “Argo.” He achieved further acclaim in 2013 by co-starring with Sandra Bullock in “Gravity.” In 2016, he took on the role of Baird Whitlock in “Hail, Caesar!” For his remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry, Clooney was honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2018.
After a four-year hiatus from acting, Clooney made his comeback in 2019 with the science fiction film “The Midnight Sky.” He also directed the Amazon Prime Video film “The Tender Bar,” starring Ben Affleck in the lead role. In 2021, Clooney rejoined Brad Pitt for an untitled thriller written and directed by Jon Watts, and in 2022, he collaborated once again with Julia Roberts in the romantic comedy “Ticket to Paradise.”
Net Worth Milestones
- 1993: $500 thousand
- 1995: $3 million
- 2000: $10 million
- 2005: $50 million
- 2007: $70 million
- 2012: $100 million
- 2015: $200 million
- 2024: $500 million
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Turner)
Personal Life
In various political initiatives, Clooney participates, notably focusing on the Darfur conflict and supporting relief efforts following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. He actively contributes to the Not On Our Watch project. In 2020, following a devastating explosion in the Lebanese capital, George along with his wife donated $100,000 to three charities: the Lebanese Red Cross, Impact Lebanon, and Baytna Baytak.
George’s marriage to Talia Balsam occurred in 1989, but by 1993 they were divorced. He continued to cohabit with his pet pig, Max, until the pig passed away in 2006. On April 28, 2014, George became engaged to Amal Alamuddin, a British-Lebanese human rights lawyer, as confirmed by a representative from Alamuddin’s law firm, Doughty Street Chambers. The couple tied the knot on September 27, 2014, in Ca’ Farsetti, officiated by Clooney’s friend Walter Veltroni, the ex-mayor of Rome. On July 6, 2017, they welcomed twins, Ella and Alexander. During interviews in 2020, Clooney disclosed that the twins are fluent in Italian, a language neither of their parents speak.
ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images
Salary Highlights
In his role in “Sisters,” George received $40,000 for each of the 19 episodes he appeared in, totaling $760,000. For “ER,” he earned $100,000 per episode, consciously refraining from requesting any raises while striving to establish himself as a star to facilitate his emerging film career. Overall, his earnings from “ER” approached $11 million. Below are 10 additional noteworthy salaries that George Clooney has commanded:
George Clooney’s Career Highlights
- The Monuments Men – $2 million
- The Peacemaker – $3 million
- One Fine Day – $3 million
- The Perfect Storm – $8 million
- Out of Sight – $10 million
- Batman & Robin – $10 million
- Intolerable Cruelty – $15 million
- Ocean’s Thirteen – $15 million
- Ocean’s Eleven – $20 million
- Gravity – $20 million (+ revenue share)
- Wolfs – $35 million
Total = $141 Million
Career Earnings
A significant early payday for him was the $3 million he received for the 1996 film “One Fine Day.” He was compensated $10 million for his role in “Batman,” $10 million for “Out of Sight,” $8 million for “The Perfect Storm,” $15 million for “Intolerable Cruelty,” and a career-high $20 million for “Ocean’s Eleven.” Additionally, he earned $15 million…
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For his role in “Ocean’s Thirteen,” George earned $35 million in 2024 for his work in the film “Wolfs,” which Apple acquired. Before taxes, George’s earnings from his film and television career total around $300 million.
Nespresso Paycheck
Since 2013, George has featured in several Nespresso commercials, resulting in a total payment of $40 million from this endorsement deal.
Notably, George allocates a fraction of each paycheck to support a spy satellite that continuously monitors Sudan. For most of the past decade, this satellite targeted the former Sudanese dictator, Omar al-Bashir, who faced accusations of severe hate crimes and human rights violations that caused thousands of deaths. The satellite functioned not only to follow Bashir’s movements but also to observe Sudan’s military actions in order to predict movements and possible human rights abuses. Following a military coup in April 2019, Omar was ousted, arrested, convicted, and ultimately imprisoned several months later.
Skipped $35 Million Paycheck
During a December 2021 interview, George disclosed that he had once been offered $35 million for a single day’s work on a commercial for an airline. The airline was operated by an unnamed country that George characterized as a “U.S. ally” but deemed “questionable at times.” After discussing the offer with Amal, they both concluded that the money “wasn’t worth it,” leading him to decline.
If he had accepted the job and spent six hours filming the commercial from beginning to end, he would have effectively earned $5.8 million PER HOUR.
Lake Como “Villa Oleander”
The couple owns residences around the globe.
George’s most renowned property is the Villa Oleander in Lake Como, Italy, which he purchased in 2002 for $30 million. This 18th-century villa is situated in Laglio, Italy, along the Lake Como shoreline, boasting 15 bedrooms, a private swimming pool, a tennis court, a fully equipped gym, landscaped gardens, intricately carved ceilings, expansive bathrooms, a separate “pizza room,” and a well-constructed wall that prevents the lake from flooding the home.
Villa Oleander has gained legendary status among Hollywood elites, as George frequently hosts friends there for special occasions. Viola Davis, an Oscar nominee who collaborated with Clooney on “Syriana” and “Solaris,” celebrated her honeymoon at the villa. In 2010, he opened the property for actors John Krasinski and Emily Blunt’s wedding ceremony and festivities. Due to the frequent gatherings at his villa, the small town of 900 residents has had to implement a fine for groups larger than three seen standing, staring, or taking pictures nearby. Given the extensive use of the home since his acquisition in 2002, it’s clear that George has made his money’s worth.
In September 2023, speculation arose that George and Amal were contemplating selling Villa Oleander for a rumored $100 million.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
Photo by Getty Images
Other Real Estate
The estimated worth of George and Amal’s real estate portfolio is at least $100 million.
During the peak of his “ER” success in 1992, George purchased a six-bedroom mansion in Studio City, California, for $2.2 million, previously owned by musician Stevie Nicks. In September 2024, he sold this residence to Christian McCaffrey and Olivia Culpo for $14.5 million.
Among their properties, they possess a $7 million estate in Berkshire, England, and an apartment in New York City. In July 2021, the Clooneys acquired a vineyard located near Brignoles, France, featuring an 18th-century manor complete with a swimming pool and tennis court. After a legal dispute regarding the purchase of Domaine du Canadel, they officially took possession for $7.5 million.
Data includes information from 2023 and 2024, with forecasts extending to 2025 and 2026. Additionally, we project the forecast data through to 2027 and 2028.
* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:
Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.
Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.
Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.
Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.
Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.
Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.
Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.
Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.
Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.
Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
George Clooney Net Worth (Money & Salary)
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