1992, Clooney was in another brief television series,
Bodies of Evidence, as Detective Ryan Walker. He also
appeared as a dancing transvestite in the 1993 movie
The Harvest. In 1993-1994, Clooney played yet an-
other sexy detective role as James Falconer in the
television seriesSisters, but this character had more
depth than his previous roles.
In 1994, Clooney’s career rocketed to stardom.
He became a nearly overnight heartthrob to mil-
lions of viewers who tuned in to the new one-hour
medical drama seriesERon the National Broadcast-
ing Company (NBC). As Dr. Doug Ross, Clooney
played the part of a handsome and beguiling emer-
gency room pediatrician who drank, played tricks on
his coworkers, and monopolized the attention of
many women. Clooney portrayed the many foibles
of Dr. Ross, whose charm seemed to hide his short-
comings. Clooney’s role soon earned him Emmy
and Golden Globe Awards. Although hisERrole re-
quired him to set a demanding pace, Clooney man-
aged to hostSaturday Night Live, appear onFriends,
and work starring movies into his schedule.
In his first significant Hollywood movie,From
Dusk Till Dawn(1996), Clooney played Seth Gecko,
one of two despicable criminal brothers who, after a
failed bank heist, resort to shooting and killing.
Clooney followed this appearance with a string of
successful films. He starred inOne Fine Day(1996),
The Peacemaker(1997),Batman and Robin(1997),Out
of Sight(1998), andThree Kings(1999). He lent his
voice as Sparky the Dog for a 1997 episode of Com-
edy Central’sSouth Parkand as Dr. Gouache inSouth
Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut(1999).
Impact In the 1990’s, George Clooney went from a
virtually unknown actor to a household name. His
acting and popularity won him awards, movie roles,
and cover pictures on magazines. In 1998, television
viewers were sorely disappointed when they learned
that Clooney did not renew his contract withER.
Clooney had become a famous actor, a sex symbol,
and a voice for his favorite causes.
Further Reading
Dougan, Andy.The Biography of George Clooney.Phila-
delphia: Trans-Atlantic Publications, 1997.
Keenleyside, Sam.Bedside Manners: George Clooney
and “ER.”Toronto: ECW Press, 1998.
Noden, Merrell.George Clooney: A Biography.New
York: Time Inc., 2000.
Cynthia J. W. SvobodaSee also ER; Film in the United States;South Park;
Television. CNN coverage of the Gulf War
The Event The Cable News Network defies U.S.
military guidelines restricting independent
news coverage of the Gulf War
Date January 17-February 27, 1991
When the Cable News Network first began broadcasting
news twenty-four hours a day in 1980, critics referred to it
as the “Chicken Noodle Network.” However, the network
was able to establish itself as a major competitor with the
three major U.S. news networks with its extensive live cover-
age of the 1991 Gulf War.
As journalists arrived in Saudi Arabia to cover the
impending attack on Iraq by the United States and202 CNN coverage of the Gulf War The Nineties in America
George Clooney in 1996.(AP/Wide World Photos)