George Clooney and Noah Wyle’s friendship goes back to the ’90s when they both starred in the medical drama “ER.” Despite the former leaving the show in 1999 to focus on a career in movies, Wyle gushed about their long-standing bond in recent interviews, calling him a “touchstone figure” in his life. The two recently reunited at the 2026 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, where they presented each other with their respective awards. Clooney won best actor in a film for his role in “Jay Kelly,” while Wyle won the same award in the TV category for “The Pitt.” See how the two have evolved through the years.
Anthony Edwards as Doctor Mark Greene, George Clooney as Doctor Doug Ross, Noah Wyle as Doctor John Carter and Eriq La Salle as Doctor Peter Benton on “ER.” NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Noah Wyle and George Clooney attend the 5th Annual Fire and Ice Ball to Benefit Revlon UCLA Women’s Cancer Center on Dec. 07, 1994. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Sherry Stringfield, Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies and George Clooney attend the 12th Annual Museum of Radio & Television Festival – “ER” Panel Discussion on March 4, 1995, in Los Angeles. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Noah Wyle and George Clooney attend the “Desperado” Westwood premiere on Aug. 21, 1995, in Westwood, Calif. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
George Clooney and Noah Wyle attend the “From Dusk Till Dawn” Los Angeles premiere on Jan. 17, 1996. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
George Clooney and Noah Wyle attend the 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 21, 1996. WireImage
Noah Wyle and George Clooney arrive for the 48th Annual Emmy Awards on Sept. 08, 1996. AFP via Getty Images
Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies and George Clooney at the 1996 premiere of HBO’s “Rebound” in Los Angeles on Sept. 07, 1996. FilmMagic
Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies, George Clooney and Celine Balitran attend the “One Fine Day” Los Angeles premiere on Dec. 17, 1996. WireImage
George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, Gloria Reuben, Noah Wyle and Laura Innes attend the Third Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Feb. 23, 1997. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Noah Wyle and George Clooney at the 1998 Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles. FilmMagic, Inc
George Clooney pushes Noah Wyle on a swingset circa 1998 in Los Angeles. Getty Images
Anthony Edwards, Noah Wyle and George Clooney at the Opening Night of ‘Hello Again’ on April 17, 1998, in Hollywood. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
George Clooney and Noah Wyle in the 2000s “Fail Safe.” Courtesy Everett Collection
Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Noah Wyle at Universal Studios on Jan. 15, 2005. WireImage
George Clooney and Noah Wyle pose for a portrait during the 2026 Annual Movies for Grownups Awards. Getty Images for AARP
George Clooney and Noah Wyle pose for a portrait during the 2026 Annual Movies for Grownups Awards. Getty Images for AARP
George Clooney and Noah Wyle pose for a portrait during the 2026 Annual Movies for Grownups Awards. Getty Images for AARP
George Clooney embraces Noah Wyle, as Wyle accepts the best TV actor award for “The Pitt” at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 10, 2026. REUTERS
Noah Wyle accepts the best TV actor award for “The Pitt,” next to George Clooney, at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. REUTERS
Noah Wyle accepts the best TV actor award for “The Pitt,” next to George Clooney, at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. Getty Images for AARP
Noah Wyle reacts next to George Clooney, as Clooney accepts the best actor award for “Jay Kelly,” at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. REUTERS
Noah Wyle embraces George Clooney, as Clooney accepts the best actor award for “Jay Kelly,” at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. REUTERS
George Clooney, Myechia Minter-Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of AARP, and Noah Wyle attend the 2026 Annual Movies for Grownups Awards. Getty Images for AARP
