Desert Island Discs Revisited

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Desert Island Discs Revisited: Oscar Winners 2: George Clooney

Sue Lawley's castaway is actor George Clooney

Sue Lawley's castaway is actor George Clooney.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the actor, George Clooney. George was born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1961, the son of Nick Clooney, a TV newscaster. From the age of five, George spent time pottering round his father's sets, joining in where possible, shouting out the temperature during the weather report. After an initial plan to follow his father into broadcasting, then studying for a short while at Northern Kentucky University, George failed to join the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. But then he got a part in a small film through his uncle, the actor Jose Ferrer. The film was never released, but it had persuaded George of his vocation. 

Now decided on a career in acting, George moved to L.A. in 1982 and for a year tried to get a role while he slept in a friend's closet. His first film, in which he starred with Charlie Sheen, stayed unreleased, but got him the producers' attention for later contracts. He got parts in sit-coms such as The Facts Of Life, and Roseanne, and earned decent money, although fame eluded him. Then came a part as Doug Ross in the US TV drama ER. It was to be a huge success and made George's name around the world. Film parts soon flooded in and today he is one of Hollywood's biggest stars, featuring in many Hollywood blockbusters such as From Dusk Til Dawn, One Fine Day, The Peacemaker, Out of Sight, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Ocean's Eleven. After numerous Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, in 2001 George was awarded a Golden Globe for best leading actor in a comedy for O Brother, Where Art Thou?

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Destination Moon by Dinah Washington
Book: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Luxury: An anchored yacht

George Clooney

Factual: Life Stories

Selected castaway gems from the BBC Desert Island Discs archive.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Desert Island Discs Revisited: Oscar Winners 2

Oscar Winners 2

A collection of Oscar-winning actor castaways sharing their desert island choices.

Desert Island Discs

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Desert Island Discs Revisited, Oscar Winners 2, George Clooney

Academy Award winning actor George Clooney shares his choices with Sue Lawley.  From 2003.

4 Extra Debut. From Hank Williams to William Shatner. George Clooney shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley. From 2003.

From Hank Williams to William Shatner. 

American actor George Clooney shares his castaway choices with Sue Lawley

George was born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1961, the son of Nick Clooney, a TV newscaster. From the age of five, George spent time pottering round his father's sets, joining in where possible, shouting out the temperature during the weather report. 

After an initial plan to follow his father into broadcasting, then studying for a short while at Northern Kentucky University, George failed to join the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. But then he got a part in a small film through his uncle, the actor Jose Ferrer. The film was never released, but it had persuaded George of his vocation.

Since this programme was made, George has become a family man and more involved in political and humanitarian work.

His Academy Awards include Best Supporting Actor for Syriana in 2005 and Best Picture for Argo in 2012.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2003.

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