George Clooney Accepted a $3 Salary For An Oscar-Nominated Film

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George Clooney Accepted a $3 Salary For An Oscar-Nominated Film

• Carli Montague
  
  

• December 7, 2020
  
  

George Clooney is a household name in Hollywood, with a couple of hit roles and movies to his name. Fans fell in love with him during his days as Dr. Doug Ross in the highly popular ER television series.
It’s not just the fans who love him. Clooney, 59, has three Golden Globe Awards and two Oscars under his belt and even topped the Forbes list of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors in 2018. Therefore, it comes as a surprise that the famous superstar accepted a paltry $3 salary for his work in the historical drama film Good Night and Good Luck.

‘Good Night and Good Luck’ is critically acclaimed

Good Night and Good Luck is a film based on the 1950s witch hunts for communists that culminates in a battle between American journalist Edward Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy. The film was well-received because it highlighted the heroic role of journalism in bringing down fear-mongering and unjust political powerhouses.

According to The Guardian, Good Night and Good Luck was the perfect “Hollywood Revenge” against the infamous blacklist era of the 1940s during which movie stars and celebrities were targeted and victimized for standing against political institutions.

Clooney who was paid a dollar each for writing, directing and acting in the movie has previously explained that he had vested interests in the movie as he felt the need to raise concerns over the use of fear to stifle political debate.

George Clooney mortgaged his home to make a film

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George Clooney speaks at the 100 Lives Initiative in 2015 | Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for 100 LIVES

Having had a father who worked as a television journalist, the film’s theme resonated so loudly with the actor that he mortgaged his house to make it. His efforts clearly paid off as the film grossed more than $54 million worldwide. This was a huge profit considering its $7.5 million production cost.

Apart from that, Good Night and Good Luck also earned multiple nominations, including six Academy Award nominations during the 2006 Academy Awards, four Golden Globe nominations at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards and six BAFTA nominations at the 2005 BAFTA Awards.

Clooney himself received several nominations including, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and, Best Picture. His leading co-star, David Strathairn, who played the role of veteran journalist Murrow, earned an Oscar nomination for best actor. Other cast members included Marvel Superstar Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson and Frank Langella. 

In 2020, Chicago based Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced plans to recreate ‘Good Night and Good Luck’ and present a world-premiere play production by end of the year.