It's hard to imagine now, but before George Clooney became the Hollywood heartthrob we all know and love, he was just another actor trying to make it big in the entertainment world. Back in 1987, at the age of 26, George was so desperate to keep his medical insurance that he reportedly had his agent ask for a guest role on the hit sitcom The Golden Girls. According to The New York Post, this role wasn't about fame—it was about survival. George portrayed Bobby Hopkins, a dashing policeman in Season 2, Episode 24, titled "To Catch a Neighbor." His mission? To nab the jewel thieves living next door to the beloved characters Rose, Dorothy, Blanche, and Sophia. And let's just say, he nailed it. Check out the video below to see young George in action!
From 'The Golden Girls' to 'Roseanne': George's Early TV Adventures
Believe it or not, George's early TV career wasn't limited to The Golden Girls. He also made an appearance on Roseanne, another iconic sitcom of the era. Interestingly, when the show's reboot was canceled, Roseanne Barr revealed that George wasn't interested in participating in the revival. During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Roseanne joked, "Well, George Clooney didn't want to come on—so that was a bummer, but he lives in Italy." Despite some playful jabs at each other over the years, Roseanne admitted she still holds a soft spot for George. It's clear that even back then, George was already carving out a unique path for himself in Hollywood.
From Struggling Actor to Global Icon: George's Evolution
Fast forward to today, and George Clooney is a household name, known not just for his acting chops but also for his humanitarian work, his marriage to Amal Clooney, and his role as a father to twins Alexander and Ella. His career has taken him from small-screen gigs like The Golden Girls and Roseanne to starring roles in blockbusters and critically acclaimed films. Yet, despite all the success, George has grown more selective about the projects he takes on. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, he opened up about his current approach to acting. "I have money," he admitted. "So I can fight to make movies I want to make. If you look at what I’ve been in over the past 15 years, for the most part, they weren’t going to get made if I didn’t do them."
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George went on to reflect on his changing role in the industry. "Look, I acted for a long time and, you know, I’m [57]," he said. "I’m not the guy that gets the girl anymore." While he may not be playing the romantic lead these days, we're confident that if Betty White were casting a Golden Girls reboot, she'd still hire George in a heartbeat. After all, some things never change—like George's charm and talent.

What's Next for George Clooney?
As George continues to evolve as an artist, it's exciting to think about what the future holds. With his focus shifting toward producing and directing meaningful projects, we can expect even more impactful work from him. Whether it's a return to the small screen or another blockbuster film, one thing is certain: George Clooney will always remain a beloved figure in the world of entertainment. After all, a guy who started out as a cop on The Golden Girls and became a global icon has earned every bit of his success.


