George Clooney's Age During Facts of Life
George Clooney was born on May 6, 1961, which means he was 19 years old when he first appeared on The Facts of Life in 1985. He continued playing the role of George Burnett through the series finale in 1987, making him 26 at the end of the run. This places his tenure on the show squarely in his early-to-mid twenties, a transitional period before his film breakthrough. More details on his early career can be found on his official page at georgeclooney.com.
The Facts of Life aired from 1979 to 1988, and Clooney joined the cast in season 6. At the time, he was a young actor transitioning from minor television roles to more prominent ones. His casting as the handyman and love interest George Burnett came when he was barely out of his teens. This early exposure on a long-running NBC sitcom helped him build a foundation for future roles in film and television.
Career Impact and Timeline
After leaving The Facts of Life, Clooney quickly moved into film, landing roles in movies like Red Surf (1988) and later becoming a household name with ER in the mid-1990s. His time on the sitcom, starting at age 19, directly contributed to his visibility in Hollywood. The show's ensemble format gave him experience working with established actors and producers, which accelerated his development. Industry coverage of his early career is detailed on Forbes.
Clooney's early television work, including The Facts of Life, is often cited in retrospectives as a key stepping stone. He was one of the younger cast members, which allowed him to observe and learn from veterans like Charlotte Rae and Lisa Whelchel. This period also coincided with the rise of youth-oriented sitcoms on American broadcast television. The show's production company, TAT Communications, was a major player in 1980s TV, as noted on IMDb.
Key Facts and Figures
Here are the core data points: Clooney was 19 when he started on The Facts of Life in 1985 and 26 when the show ended in 1987. He appeared in 22 episodes across two seasons, playing George Burnett. The show itself was a spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes and aired on NBC. These facts are consistent across multiple entertainment databases and network archives.
The role of George Burnett was one of Clooney's first regular television appearances, and it came at a time when the sitcom landscape was shifting toward more ensemble-driven narratives. His age and relative inexperience were offset by his natural screen presence and the mentorship he received on set. This early experience is often referenced in interviews and biographies as formative to his later success in both acting and directing. Additional context on the show's production history is available on NBC's official site.