What Is George Clooney’s Net Worth?
George Clooney, a celebrated American actor, screenwriter, director, entrepreneur, and activist, boasts a substantial net worth of $500 million as of 2024. While his acting career in Hollywood has undoubtedly contributed to his wealth, a significant portion originates from his entrepreneurial ventures, most notably as the co-founder of Casamigos Tequila.
Casamigos Tequila: A Billion-Dollar Deal
In 2013, George Clooney, along with Rande Gerber (married to Cindy Crawford) and real estate magnate Michael Meldman, established Casamigos Tequila. Initially intended as a private label for friends and family, the brand transitioned to public availability in 2013. On June 21, 2017, the trio finalized an agreement to sell Casamigos to Diageo, a multinational alcoholic beverage company, for a staggering $1 billion. The deal comprised $700 million in cash and $300 million in performance-based bonuses. Assuming an equal split of the initial $700 million, Clooney’s pre-tax earnings amounted to approximately $230 million. After accounting for taxes, his share is estimated to be around $150 million, significantly boosting George Clooney’s net worth.
George Clooney’s Salary Highlights and Career Earnings
Clooney’s acting career has been lucrative. For his 19 appearances on “Sisters,” he earned $40,000 per episode, totaling $760,000. His role on “ER” brought him $100,000 per episode, accumulating around $11 million throughout his tenure on the show. Some of Clooney’s notable film salaries include $2 million for “The Monuments Men,” $3 million each for “The Peacemaker” and “One Fine Day,” $8 million for “The Perfect Storm,” $10 million each for “Out of Sight” and “Batman & Robin,” $15 million for “Intolerable Cruelty” and “Ocean’s Thirteen,” and $20 million each for “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Gravity” (plus revenue share). He earned $35 million for his recent work on the movie “Wolfs”, which was acquired by Apple. His career earnings from film and television amount to approximately $300 million before taxes.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
George Timothy Clooney was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Nina Bruce, a former beauty queen and city councilwoman, and Nick Clooney, a former anchorman and TV host. After moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting, Clooney initially lived in his car, which was parked in the driveway of his aunt Rosemary Clooney’s Beverly Hills mansion. He secured minor roles in television shows such as “The Facts of Life,” “Roseanne,” and “The Golden Girls.” His first significant role was on the sitcom “E/R” in 1984, preceding his breakthrough role as Dr. Doug Ross on the NBC drama “ER” in 1994.
Film Career and Awards
While starring on “ER,” Clooney appeared in films such as “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “One Fine Day,” and “Out of Sight.” He also portrayed Batman in “Batman & Robin.” Following his departure from “ER” in 1999, Clooney achieved box office success with “Ocean’s 11” (2001), “The Perfect Storm” (2000), and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000). He reprised his role in “Ocean’s 12” and “Ocean’s 13.” In 2005, Clooney won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Syriana.” In the same year, he received nominations for writing and directing “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Clooney’s later works include “The Men Who Stare at Goats” (2009), “Up in the Air” (2009), “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009), “The Descendants” (2011), “The Ides of March” (2013), “Argo” (2013), and “Gravity” (2013). He received the 2018 AFI Life Achievement Award. In 2019, Clooney returned to acting in “The Midnight Sky,” which he also directed. In 2021, he directed “The Tender Bar,” and in 2022, he starred in “Ticket to Paradise.” Clooney is one of only two people nominated for Academy Awards in six different categories. His successes contribute to George Clooney’s net worth.
Nespresso Endorsement and Humanitarian Efforts
Since 2013, George Clooney has been the face of Nespresso, earning $40 million to date through this endorsement deal. A portion of Clooney’s earnings is allocated to fund a spy satellite that monitors Sudan, specifically targeting human rights violations. He is actively involved in political causes and humanitarian efforts, including the conflict in Darfur, Sudan, and fundraising for relief after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Clooney is heavily involved with the Not On Our Watch project. In 2020, he and his wife donated $100,000 to three Lebanese charities following the devastating explosion in Beirut.
Real Estate Portfolio: Villa Oleander and More
George Clooney and his wife, Amal, possess a real estate portfolio valued at least $100 million. In 2002, Clooney acquired Villa Oleander on Italy’s Lake Como for $30 million. This 18th-century villa features 15 bedrooms, a private swimming pool, a tennis court, a gym, landscaped gardens, and a “pizza room.” In September 2023, rumors circulated that the Clooneys were considering selling Villa Oleander for approximately $100 million. In 1992, Clooney purchased a six-bedroom mansion in Studio City, California, from Stevie Nicks for $2.2 million; he sold this property in September 2024 to Christian McCaffrey and Olivia Culpo for $14.5 million. They also own a $7 million property in Berkshire, England, and an apartment in New York City. In July 2021, the Clooneys acquired a vineyard near Brignoles, France, which includes an 18th-century manor, a swimming pool, and a tennis court, for $7.5 million. These holdings are significant contributors to George Clooney’s net worth.
Personal Life: Marriages and Family
Clooney was married to Talia Balsam from 1989 to 1993. He later lived with his pet pig, Max, until its death in 2006. On April 28, 2014, Clooney became engaged to British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, and they married on September 27, 2014, in Venice, Italy. They were married by Clooney’s friend Walter Veltroni, the former mayor of Rome. The couple has twins, Ella and Alexander, born on July 6, 2017. Clooney revealed in 2020 that his twins speak Italian fluently, despite neither of their parents speaking the language.
Net Worth Milestones
George Clooney’s journey to his current net worth has been marked by several milestones:
- 1993: $500,000
- 1995: $3 million
- 2000: $10 million
- 2005: $50 million
- 2007: $70 million
- 2012: $100 million
- 2015: $200 million
- 2024: $500 million