What is George Clooney?

by: Dr. Michael Abelson

Clooney has a reputation as a practical joker, wise guy, and well- liked villain actor. He has been nominated for a number of awards and received three Golden Globes and two Academy Awards. He has stared as the “heart throb” in numerous TV shows and movies. He has been the cover story repeatedly as one of the handsomest and sexist men alive. He even comes from a family rich with actors such as his aunt Rosemary Clooney and uncle Jose Ferrer. But his DISC and Motives/Values profile may surprise you.

Here are some interesting facts and tidbits about him that give us insight into his behavior and motives profile:

  • Totally unrelated to his profile, but very interesting, is that his four times great-grandmother (on his mother’s side) was half- sister to Abraham Lincolns mother. Just thought you might be interested.
  • He is Roman Catholic, but not very religious.
  • He went to two different colleges (Northern Kentucky and University of Cincinnati), but never graduated college.
  • He sold women’s shoes (women, can you imagine him trying shoes on your feet?), insurance door-to-door, stocked shelves and worked construction, among other jobs, before his first big break on the hit NBC drama ER from 1994 to 1999.
  • He has starred in numerous TV shows and movies and most currently enjoys directing more than acting.
  • He has had several disputes with others and does not like to lose: • He resigned from the Writers Guild of America after losing a dispute regarding writing contributions he made for the movie “Leatherheads.” • Was arrested in 2012 outside the Sudanese Embassy for civil disobedience related to protests about the conflict in Darfur in the Sudan.
  • His humor, and partially his values, can be seen in the naming of a production company he and Steven Soderbergh founded and later closed. “Section 8 Productions” was named after Jamie Farr’s MASH (1972) character where he tried to get out of the army via a “Section 8.”
  • He currently owns film and television production company, Maysville Pictures.
  • Starred in at least 14 movies, earning anywhere from $1 to a reported $20,000,000 per movie.
  • He also owned a pet pig for a reported 18 years. It was given to him by Kelly Preston.
  • He frequently chooses roles that meet his values, has actively pursued roles that he feels strongly about, and has turned down numerous roles that don’t suit him.
  • He has created and supports a number of humanitarian efforts:
  • Involved in “Not On Our Watch Project” (about preventing mass atrocities)
  • Spoke at the UN Security Council with Elie Wiesel asking the UN to find a solution for the Darfur conflict in Sudan. Appointed UN “Messenger of Peace” in 2008.
  • Founded the “Enough Project” (also about preventing and dealing with mass atrocities).
  • Stood with former President George Bush in Louisiana in support of a plan to rebuild a hospital after Hurricane Rita.
  • Is a proponent for cleaning up the environment.
  • Views himself as a democrat, helping fund raise for President Obama. • Has had personal illnesses such as Bells Palsy and currently has stomach ulcers.
  • His favorite song is the Dinah Washington version of “Destination Moon”, a song written in the early 1950’s. It’s a romantic song using the metaphor of flying to the moon.
  • So, what does the above suggest about George Clooney’s profile? The motives part is the easiest. He is social and individualistic. If he was utilitarian he wouldn’t have done the movie Good Night, and Good Luck in 2005 for $1. He has very little traditional value. He is also heavy on aesthetic. Regarding behaviors; he is most definite “D” and “I.” I’d say highest on “I.” If you read some of the materials about him, he seems a little embarrassed by all the attention. But, that is not the “S” in him coming out. It is more about being a humble “D.” He knows who he is and feels pretty confident. He doesn’t have to toot his own horn. Others seem to do it for him.
Dr. Michael Abelson

© 2024. Michael Abelson (BA, MA, MBA, PhD) founded The Abelson Group in 1986, is Emeritus (retired) from the Management Department at Texas A&M University, and specializes in communications and over a dozen other human resource areas.

He has spoken to over 1000 business and non-business groups on four continents, been quoted by over 100 newspapers, newsletters, and magazines, and authored over 100 articles, books, monographs, and other publications.  He is frequently invited by the media to share opinions and solutions.

Contact him at [email protected] or www.theabelsongroup.com to invite him to consult, coach, speak, or for a media interview.  

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