George Clooney singles out one Golden Girls star from his 1987 appearance on beloved sitcom

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George Clooney recently shared a story about being on The Golden Girls, praising the late Bea Arthur’s incredible comedic talent.

The 64-year-old Oscar winner said that no one made him laugh as much as Betty White, in a preview for the 20/20 special celebrating 40 years of The Golden Girls and their friendship.

The actor, originally from Lexington, Kentucky, guest-starred in a 1987 episode of the show called “To Catch a Neighbor.” He famously described his co-star, Arthur, as a master of expressive looks.

The actor known for his Oscar-winning role in Syriana appeared as an undercover police officer named Bobby Hopkins in the 24th episode of the second season of the NBC show.

The Golden Girls, a show that aired from 1985 to 1992, featured Arthur as Dorothy, Getty as Sophia, White as Rose, and McClanahan as Blanche. Sadly, all four of these talented actresses have since passed away.

The episode featuring George Clooney involved him partnering with Detective Al Mullins (played by the late Joseph Campanella) as they conducted surveillance from the home shared by the show’s four central characters.

As a lifestyle storyteller, I’ve always been fascinated by how things unfold in close-knit communities. In one particular storyline, my character, Clooney, became convinced the neighbors were up to no good – specifically, stealing jewelry. It all came to a head when he tried to intervene and, unfortunately, ended up getting shot! Thankfully, he recovered, and the four core characters all rallied around him during his hospital stay. It was a powerful moment of connection amidst all the drama.

Clooney spoke about the appearance on a 2022 edition of The Drew Barrymore Show.

You know, as someone who appreciates a good laugh, let me tell you, Bea Arthur was just incredible. George Clooney said it best – everyone on that show was hilarious, but Bea really stood out and just got me. She had this amazing comedic timing that truly made me laugh out loud.

Clooney described the late comedic actress as ‘filthy, filthy funny – filthy – but great.’

Clooney also mentioned that the show’s cast and writers were clever at including slightly naughty jokes that would likely have been carefully examined—and possibly cut—on other programs.

Clooney explained that these actresses could be much more daring than women are today. ‘They could get away with things on TV that would be unthinkable now,’ he said, adding that they had a lot of freedom and it was really entertaining to watch.

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Laverne Cox, Kelly Ripa, and Mario Lopez will join George Clooney for a look back at the iconic Ocean’s Eleven movie.

‘Who wasn’t a fan of The Golden Girls?’ Ralph said in the preview. 

Before becoming famous on the TV show ER, George Clooney made appearances on several popular television series in the 1980s and 1990s.

The collection featured 17 episodes of The Facts of Life, 11 of Roseanne, and 2 of Murder, She Wrote.

Celebrate 40 years of ‘The Golden Girls’ with a special edition of 20/20 airing on ABC November 11th. You can start streaming the special on Disney+ and Hulu the next day, November 12th.

The documentary tells the story of how The Golden Girls was created, from the initial idea and first episode to its status as a beloved classic.

The show went on to explain that at a time when Hollywood typically focused on younger stars, The Golden Girls uniquely showcased four older women, using bold and funny storytelling to change how society viewed women over fifty.

The sitcom fearlessly addressed sensitive and innovative subjects, changing how we view getting older. Its enduring popularity continues to draw in new viewers and has had a significant, lasting impact on popular culture.

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2025-11-07 08:05