George Clooney's First Role in a Miniseries Marked the Start of a Hollywood Career In 1978, at the age of 17, George Clooney made his debut on screen in the NBC miniseries "Centennial," a production that would become a defining moment in his early career. The series, based on James Michener’s 1974 bestseller of the same name, was filmed across Colorado, Wyoming, Ohio, and Kentucky, chronicling over two centuries of American expansion through the fictional town of Centennial, Colorado. Clooney’s role was brief—a young man carrying a barrel—but the production’s scale and historical significance left a lasting impact on both the actor and the communities involved. The miniseries, which aired in 1978, was a landmark project for television, with an estimated budget of $25 million, making it the most expensive television production at the time. It was part of the golden age of American miniseries, joining the ranks of iconic series like "Roots," "The Thorn Birds," "Shogun," and "Rich Man, Poor Man." The show’s adaptation of Michener’s novel was praised for its sweeping narrative and attention to historical detail, with the author himself acknowledging that the NBC version was the best representation of his work. Clooney’s hometown, Augusta, Kentucky, played a notable role in the production, doubling as St. Louis, Missouri. The town’s 19th-century streetscapes and riverfront provided an authentic backdrop for the series. During filming, the production hired hundreds of Kentucky residents as background performers, offering $25 per day and a meal. This modest pay drew long lines of locals eager to participate, as the opportunity to be part of a major television production was rare.#george_clooney #centennial_miniseries #james_michener #augusta_kentucky #perry_hibner
