George Clooney is set to make history with his Broadway debut, earning a record-breaking $300,000 per week for Good Night, and Good Luck, an adaptation of his 2005 film about journalist Edward R. Murrow. While the production is poised to be a landmark moment in Clooney's career, insiders suggest the financial windfall could also serve another purpose-funding a potential divorce from his wife of ten years, Amal Clooney.
The Hollywood star, 63, has remained publicly silent about rumors of a split, but sources claim his marriage to Amal, 47, is on the rocks despite her recent relocation to New York with their children to support him. "They have been papering over the cracks for years, and Amal is in New York with their kids to support George, but it seems to be very much window dressing," a source told RadarOnline. "Once the play is over, they'll likely go their separate ways."
While Clooney's stage debut has been widely anticipated, his earnings have garnered just as much attention. His deal, which includes performance pay and a share of profits, is expected to eclipse previous Broadway records. Hugh Jackman's highly successful run in The Music Man brought in roughly $100,000 per week, while Bette Midler's Hello, Dolly! set a new high for female performers with $150,000 per week. Clooney's contract, insiders say, will set a new financial benchmark.
"George is getting a massive deal," an industry insider told RadarOnline. "Not only is he starring in the production, but he also wrote it, meaning he's profiting from multiple revenue streams." Ticket prices reflect the heightened demand, with premium seats already listed at $677 and expected to climb further.
Despite the financial incentives, Clooney has expressed some apprehension about making the leap to Broadway. "It's scary," he told The Associated Press, reflecting on his last stage role in 1986. "Most of the cast members that I'm working with weren't born when I did my last play."
Clooney's passion for the story of Murrow-who famously stood up to Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare-has been a driving force behind the adaptation. "This is a story about who we are at our best, when we hold our own feet to the fire, when we check and balance ourselves," Clooney said.
The production will blend live performances with archival footage of McCarthy, reinforcing the film's original vision. Clooney, who co-wrote the script with longtime collaborator Grant Heslov, initially planned to produce a television adaptation but shifted to Broadway after theater investors demanded he play Murrow himself.
His decision to take the stage places him among a wave of Hollywood stars making their Broadway debuts this season, including Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Robert Downey Jr. However, Clooney has insisted he doesn't want to be the highest-paid actor on Broadway. "Pay Patti LuPone the most of anybody on Broadway," he said. "It shouldn't be somebody who's doing his first Broadway play."
Rumors of marital discord have followed Clooney in recent months, with speculation intensifying after he and Amal were seen having what appeared to be a tense interaction in St. Tropez during their Christmas vacation. "Neither of them looked happy," an onlooker observed.
While neither Clooney nor Amal has commented publicly on their relationship status, insiders suggest that the actor's Broadway earnings could serve as a financial cushion should the couple decide to separate. "He'll be needing every penny of that $300,000 a week for his divorce war chest because this split is gonna cost monster money," a source said.
