If you are a fan of Hollywood movies, you might have heard of George Clooney, the handsome actor who starred in films like Ocean’s Eleven, Gravity, and The Descendants. But did you know that he is not the only Clooney who made it big in show business? He is actually related to another famous Clooney, who was a singer and actress in the 1950s and 1960s. Her name was Rosemary Clooney, and she was George’s aunt. In this article, we will explore the relationship between Rosemary Clooney and George Clooney, and how they both achieved success in their respective careers.
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Rosemary Clooney: The Singer and Actress
Rosemary Clooney was born on May 23, 1928, in Maysville, Kentucky. She was one of five children of Andrew Joseph Clooney and Marie Frances Guilfoyle. Her father was of Irish and German descent, and her mother was of English and Irish ancestry. She was raised Catholic.
Rosemary and her sister Betty started singing at a young age, and won a spot on a local radio station in Cincinnati as singers. They later moved to New York, where they performed as a duo for various bands and radio shows. Rosemary also made her solo recording debut in 1949, with the song “Bargain Day”.
Rosemary’s breakthrough came in 1951, when she recorded the song “Come On-a My House”, which was produced by Mitch Miller. The song became a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard chart. It also launched her career as a pop singer, who recorded other popular songs like “Botch-a-Me”, “Mambo Italiano”, “Tenderly”, “Half as Much”, “Hey There”, and “This Ole House”.
Rosemary also ventured into acting, appearing in several movies and TV shows. Her most famous role was in the 1954 musical film White Christmas, where she co-starred with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Vera-Ellen. She also had her own TV show, The Rosemary Clooney Show, which ran from 1956 to 1957.
Rosemary’s career suffered a decline in the 1960s, partly due to her personal problems. She struggled with depression, drug addiction, and a turbulent marriage to actor Jose Ferrer, whom she married twice and divorced twice. She also had five children with him: Miguel, Maria, Gabriel, Monsita, and Rafael.
Rosemary made a comeback in the late 1970s, when she resumed her singing career as a jazz vocalist. She signed with Concord Jazz label, and recorded several albums with acclaimed musicians like Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Nelson Riddle. She also performed live concerts around the world, earning rave reviews from critics and fans.
Rosemary continued to sing until her death in 2002. She died of lung cancer at the age of 74. She was buried in her hometown of Maysville.
George Clooney: The Actor and Director
George Clooney was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky. He is the son of Nick Clooney and Nina Bruce Warren. His father is a TV journalist and host, who is also the younger brother of Rosemary Clooney. His mother is a former beauty queen and city councilwoman. He has an older sister named Adelia.
George grew up in a family of entertainers, who influenced his interest in show business. He was close to his aunt Rosemary, who taught him a lot about fame and acting. He also had other famous relatives, like his cousin Miguel Ferrer (Rosemary’s son), who was also an actor.
George started his acting career in the early 1980s, appearing in minor roles in TV shows and movies. His first major role was in the medical drama ER (1994-1999), where he played Dr. Doug Ross. The show made him a star and earned him two Emmy nominations.
George then transitioned to film acting, starring in movies like From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Out of Sight (1998), Three Kings (1999), O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Syriana (2005), Good Night and Good Luck (2005), The Descendants (2011), Gravity (2013), The Monuments Men (2014), Hail Caesar! (2016), Money Monster (2016), Suburbicon (2017), Catch-22 (2019), The Midnight Sky (2020), etc.
George also became a successful director and producer, helming films like Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), Good Night and Good Luck (2005), Leatherheads (2008), The Ides of March (2011), The Monuments Men (2014), Suburbicon (2017), etc. He also produced films like Argo (2012), August: Osage County (2013), Our Brand Is Crisis (2015), etc.
George has won several awards for his work, including two Oscars, four Golden Globes, two BAFTAs, and one AFI Life Achievement Award. He is also known for his humanitarian work, supporting causes like Darfur, Haiti, Armenia, Sudan, etc. He is a co-founder of the Not On Our Watch Project, which aims to prevent mass atrocities around the world.
George married human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2014. They have twins named Ella and Alexander, who were born in 2017.
Conclusion
Rosemary Clooney and George Clooney are aunt and nephew, who both achieved fame and success in their respective fields of entertainment. They share a family bond, a passion for acting, and a commitment to humanitarian causes. They are both icons of their generations, who have left a lasting legacy in the world of show business..
