George Clooney Receives Sardi’s Portrait After Making Broadway Debut

George Clooney received his Sardi’s caricature Thursday after making his Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck this spring. 

When asked to sign his portrait, Clooney quipped: “You got it. Brad Pitt.”

Clooney also joked about the difference in hair color between the portrait, which features his natural grey hair, and his current hair, which is dyed black for his role as Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck. 

In addition to making his Broadway acting debut, Clooney co-wrote Good Night, and Good Luck with Grant Heslov after the two had penned the 2005 film version. The play, which opened at the Winter Garden Theatre April 3, follows Murrow and the staff of CBS as he takes aim at Senator Joseph McCarthy. 

Sardi’s, a well-known restaurant in the theater district, typically honors select Broadway stars by presenting them with caricatures that are then featured in the restaurant for decades to come. 

Richard Kind, Clooney’s longtime friend, made a speech before the portrait unveiling, first mocking Clooney’s big welcome into the industry versus his own long history of doing theater across the country. 

“Last summer I did Bye Bye Birdie at the Kennedy Center, six months later I was on Broadway. This fucker dyes his hair and waltzes into town,” Kind joked. 

“What an achievement to say I’m going to turn a movie, that was phenomenal, and say I’m going to turn it into a play,” Kind continued, before joking, “Let’s not talk about the economics because it gets ugly there.” 

He then turned serious as he mentioned Clooney texting him the cover of the published play, and saying “He’s so proud of it,” which Clooney affirmed.

“It’s an important play, and it’s entertaining thanks to not just George, but [director] David Cromer. It’s gorgeous. What a production,” he added.

Attendees at the early evening unveiling included Broadway theater owners, producers and the cast of Good Night, and Good Luck, including Ilana Glazer and Clark Gregg, who all rushed out shortly afterward to make their 7 p.m. curtain.