Thirty years ago today, George Clooney made his debut on NBC sitcom “The Facts of Life” as a young handyman. The part was one of Clooney”s very first major roles, and he went on to appear in 16 more episodes of the show.
This was in 1985, when he was 24 years old, before he would become the über-famous, suave, salt-and-pepper-haired Oscar winner we know him as today.
Check out a clip of him from “Facts of Life,” when he had a fabulous “80s hair.
Other notable Sept. 21 happenings in pop culture history:
• 1897: The New York Sun published an editorial, answering a question from an 8-year-old girl, that included the now-famous reply, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”
• 1937: J.R.R. Tolkien”s “The Hobbit” was published.
• 1985: Dire Straits” “Money For Nothing” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was on the chart for 22 weeks.
• 1993: Nirvana”s “In Utero,” the group”s third and final studio album, was released in the U.S.
• 2007: “Into the Wild,” the film adaptation of Jon Krakauer”s book starring Emile Hirsch, opened in theaters.
• 2011: R.E.M. announced via the band”s website they were splitting up after 31 years together.
Birthdays: “Ghostbusters” actor Bill Murray (65), “Supernatural” actor Rob Benedict, “Pirates of the Caribbean” producer Jerry Bruckheimer, chef and TV personality Anne Burrell (46), singer Leonard Cohen (81), “Full House” actor Dave Coulier (56), singer Jason Derulo (26), “Lost” actress Maggie Grace (32), “Friends” co-creator Marta Kauffman (59), “The Shining” author Stephen King (68), country singer Faith Hill (48), “Jurassic Park” actor Joseph Mazzello (32), reality star Nicole Richie (34), “Warehouse 13” actress Allison Scagliotti, “The Lord of the Rings” actor David Denham (50), “Legally Blonde” actor Luke Wilson (44)