George Clooney recently made headlines for his striking new look—jet-black hair—for his role as Edward R. Murrow in the Broadway play Good Night, and Good Luck. The transformation, his first theatrical role since 1986, has left many wondering about his decision to dye his hair.
While it’s common for Broadway performers to wear wigs to maintain a consistent appearance every night, Clooney’s decision was not due to the typical backstage process. Wigs, which help preserve an actor’s natural hair by eliminating the need for daily heat styling or dyeing, are standard practice for many actors. Clooney’s co-star Ilana Glazer even posted a video detailing her nightly wig process. So, it wasn’t a lack of wigs for Good Night, and Good Luck.
But why the dye? Clooney has repeatedly said he finds the look “ridiculous.” Ahead of the play’s opening, he joked to The New York Times that his wife, Amal, would dislike it, adding, “Nothing makes you look older than when an older guy dyes his hair.” He also predicted his kids would “laugh at me nonstop.” Clooney echoed similar sentiments in a recent interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, admitting, “Honestly, nothing makes you look older than being 63 and dyeing your hair.”
So, why go through with it? It’s unclear. Perhaps Clooney simply didn’t want to bother with the wig application each night. Or maybe he’s embracing the full transformation to dive deep into his portrayal of Murrow. Representatives for the show have been contacted for clarification, and more details may follow.
In another recent event, Clooney participated in the first-ever Broadway edition of Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series, where he spoke with Patti LuPone about his political preferences, Broadway experiences, and his hair transformation. Despite the lively conversation, the new hairdo seemed to capture much of the attention.
