George Clooney’s latest venture on Broadway has raised an unexpected question: Why doesn’t the actor just wear a wig? During a conversation with Patti LuPone for the first-ever Broadway edition of Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series, Clooney discussed a variety of topics, from his presidential pick (Maryland Governor Wes Moore) to the Broadway shows he’s enjoyed recently (including Smash). However, for many viewers, it was Clooney’s hair that stole the show.
Recently, Clooney dyed his hair jet black for his role as Edward R. Murrow in the play Good Night, and Good Luck. This marks his first stage production since his debut in 1986. While it’s one thing to catch a glimpse of his new look in paparazzi photos, seeing him in high-quality video for a 51-minute interview left many wondering: Why go through the trouble?
The simple answer? He didn’t have to. It’s common practice for Broadway performers to wear wigs, as they ensure consistency in appearance every night and protect the actor’s natural hair from the wear and tear of regular styling and dyeing. Clooney’s co-star in Good Night, and Good Luck, Ilana Glazer, recently shared a video showing the extensive wig process she undergoes nightly, further proving that wigs are the norm for many stage actors.
So why is Clooney going the dye route instead of opting for the more traditional wig? It’s not for lack of availability. In fact, Clooney has openly acknowledged that his decision to dye his hair was somewhat self-aware. In a pre-show interview with the New York Times, he remarked, “My wife is going to hate it because nothing makes you look older than when an older guy dyes his hair.” He also anticipated that his children would “just laugh at me nonstop.” In a more recent interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Clooney reiterated the sentiment, admitting, “Honestly, nothing makes you look older than being 63 and dyeing your hair,” while acknowledging that his wife, Amal, finds it amusing.
So why not wear a wig like most other performers? The answer remains unclear. Perhaps Clooney simply didn’t want to spend the time each night putting on a lace-front wig, or maybe he’s deeply immersed in his role as Murrow and didn’t want anything to take him out of character.
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