George Clooney to Receive Humanitarian Award at Emmys
LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) George Clooney will be recognized at the Emmy Awards next month - but not for his work on a sitcom or drama.
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will present the 49-year-old actor with its Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the ceremony next month.
Clooney is being honored for the "Hope for Haiti" TV special, which is nominated for an Emmy award, and his efforts to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina and raise awareness about genocide in Darfur.
While Clooney is now known mainly for his film work, the actor got his start on the small screen. His first role was as an extra on the TV series "Centennial" in 1978. He also played a handyman on "The Facts of Life," appeared on an episode of "The Golden Girls," played a policeman in "Sisters," and had a semi-regular supporting role on "Roseanne."
But, of course, the television role he's best known for is that of Dr. Doug Ross, on "ER." Clooney starred on the NBC medial drama from 1994-1999, and returned for a guest spot during the show's final season in 2009. He was nominated for two Emmys (1995 and 1996) and three Golden Globes (1996-1998) for his work on the show.
John Shaffner, chairman and chief executive of the TV academy, said Clooney was "an obvious choice" for the award because he used the power of television to move people to act.
The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award was established in 2002. Clooney is the fourth recipient of the honor and will receive the award at the Emmy ceremony on Aug. 29.