Meet George Clooney’s Parents, Former News Anchor Nick Clooney and Pageant Queen Nina Bruce Warren

Mar. 15, 2025

George Clooney with dad Nick Clooney and mom Nina Bruce Warren.Photo:KMazur/WireImage

KMazur/WireImage

George Clooneymay be an A-lister in Hollywood but he doesn’t forget his Kentucky roots and the lessons his parents — Nick Clooney and Nina Bruce Warren — have taught him.

The actor’s dad, Nick Clooney, an accomplished journalist, and his mom, Nina Bruce Warren, a former beauty queen and entrepreneur, have greatly influenced him.

Their commitment to activism and helping others has shaped the way theWolfsstar looks at his life and career, and the tight family, including his older sister Adelia “Ada” Zeidler, haven’t lost their bond through his superstardom.

“Both my parents are really respected where we’re from and I wouldn’t want to do anything to embarrass them," George toldThe Guardianin 2021. “Also, my dad made one rule for me and that was: ‘I don’t care what you do in life, but challenge people with greater power than you and defend those with less power.' "

Here’s everything to know about George Clooney’s parents, Nick Clooney and Nina Bruce Warren.

They met when Nick judged a pageant Nina was competing in

Nick Clooney and Nina Bruce Warren attend the premiere of “The Peacemaker” on September 22, 1997 in New York City.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Nick and Nina crossed paths when she was participating in a pageant he was judging.

They welcomed their first child, daughter Ada, in 1960; the following year, George was born in 1961.

During George’s early years, his family traveled throughout the U.S. for his father’s job until they settled in Augusta, Ky.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty

George might just get his talent in front of the camera from his father.

Nick’s career started in Kentucky, where he served as a news anchor for several years. He then hostedThe Nick Clooney Showin Ohio, finding success in the early ‘70s. Nick also starred in programs likeThe Bob Braun Showand holiday specials, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Most notably, he earned recognition for working with the American Movie Classics network on Golden Age content.

“I spent most of my life as a small child on the floor of WKRC newsroom watching my father put news shows together,” he said onNPR’sFresh Airin 2005.

Around this time, Nick tried his hand at politics, running as a Democrat for a seat in the House of Representatives for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. After his loss, Nick focused on his writing career and activism, including efforts to shine a light on the genocide in war-torn Darfur in the Sudan. He and George traveled to the country in 2006 and filmed a documentary,A Journey to Darfur.

Nina is a former pageant queen and small business owner

George Clooney and his mom Nina Bruce Warren.Chris Polk/FilmMagic

Chris Polk/FilmMagic

George’s mom, Nina, is also impressive: She started out as a pageant queen and was crowned Miss Lexington before placing as first runner-up in the Miss Kentucky pageant.

But, as George recalled onFresh Airin 2005, she never used her looks to get ahead — and he learned this lesson from her when he started being seen as a heartthrob.

They’re both activists who passed down lessons to George

George Clooney with dad Nick Clooney in Washington D.C. on April 30, 2006.SAUL McSWEEN/AFP/Getty

SAUL McSWEEN/AFP/Getty

George’s parents have dedicated themselves to activism over the years and instilled in their kids the importance of standing up for others. This led to a life of activism for George, who now often partners with his parents and wifeAmal Clooneyto tackle pressing worldwide issues with theClooney Foundation for Justice.

“You had to be involved. My mother and father were involved, and we were [taught] it is your civic duty,” George told PEOPLE in 2020. “I remember my father saying, ‘Don’t come back and look me in the eye unless you stand up to [bullies and racists].‘I’m glad to have been raised that way.”

“My father, my mother, my aunt [the late singer Rosemary Clooney] — they all had talent, but they also had that thing that I’ve always admired: the willingness to get beat up for the right reasons,” George told PEOPLE in 2006. “I always liked that, and that’s one of those things you aim for in life."

Nick’s older sister was a famous singer and actress

Nick Clooney and sister Rosemary Clooney during American Movie Classics 5th Anniversary Film Preservation Festival.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

The Clooney family name has a rich history in the entertainment business.

Rosemary had a significant impact on George growing up, and he even lived with her during his first year trying to make it in Hollywood, perThe Record. He has alsoshared anecdotes about herfrom time to time.

Nick and Nina were thrilled when George met Amal

Nick Clooney, Nina Bruce Warren, Amal Clooney and honoree George Clooney attend the American Film Institute’s 46th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to George Clooney on June 7, 2018 in Hollywood, California.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Nick and Nina were happy when George settled down with international human rights lawyer Amal. In fact, the two were there when George and Amal first met at a dinner party in 2013 — and his dad immediately knew she would be sticking around.

George and Amal married on Sept. 27, 2014, and welcomed twins Ella and Alexander on June 6, 2017 —to the delight of his parents. Nick and Nina are also grandparents to daughter Ada’s two kids.

George once surprised his parents with a rescue dog

Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive/Getty

George proved he’s always thinking about his dad and mom whenhe arranged for a rescue dogto be brought to them as a surprise after their dog of 10 years died.

A 3-year-old terrier named Nate was rescued from a hoarding situation and was having a hard time getting adopted until George and Amal found him and sent videos to his parents.

After Nick and Nina fell in love with Nate, the actor planned a surprise delivery on Christmas Eve in 2015.

“Nina cried a little when she opened the door and Nate was put into her arms. She was very surprised," the rescue shelter, LuvFurMutts, wroteon Facebook. “She cried a little again when she read the card from George, Amal and (his personal assistant) Angel saying they wanted her to have Nate to enjoy Christmas with.”

Nick and Nina enjoy spending time with George

Even though Nick and Nina live in Kentucky, they’re often seentraveling to spend time with their famous sonand his family.

The two have double dates with George and Amal in cities all around the world, includingan outing in New York Citywith Amal’s mom, Baria Alamuddin, in September 2023.

Nick and Nina have also been to awards shows and red carpets alongside George. One memorable outing was the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors, where the actor was honored for his lifetime achievement andwalked the red carpet with his parents and Amal.

source: people.com