Julianna Margulies expresses unwavering support for George Clooney as he prepares for his Broadway debut. In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE on Wednesday, Oct. 23, Margulies, 58, attended the opening night of her new play, Left on Tenth, alongside Peter Gallagher at the James Earl Jones Theater in New York.
During the event, the Good Wife actress shared her thoughts on both her and her former ER co-star, 63, taking the plunge into Broadway. While Margulies has experience on stage, Clooney’s upcoming production of Good Night, and Good Luck will mark his inaugural performance on Broadway.
Margulies expresses pride in Clooney’s decision to step into the world of theater
When asked if she offered any advice to Clooney, who is set to take the stage in spring 2025, Margulies replied, “No, I’ve just given him a lot of kudos.” She mentioned sending him an email expressing pride in his decision, saying, “I’m so proud of you. You don’t have to do this.”
Margulies believes that theater can often present greater challenges than television acting. “It’s scary, you know, being on Broadway,” she remarked. “In today’s world, everyone’s a judge, and you have to block all that out and do your work. I’m really proud of him for choosing a difficult path. It’s not easy work, and I’m very impressed that he’s doing it.”
Since their time on the medical drama that aired from 1994 to 2009, Margulies and Clooney have maintained a close friendship. In the series, she portrayed head nurse Carol Hathaway, while he played her romantic interest, Dr. Doug Ross.
Celebrating the show’s 30th anniversary in September, Margulies shared with the Television Academy that they still refer to one another by their character names. “It always had to be Carol and Doug, in the end,” she said. “George and I, to this day, still sign our personal emails to each other ‘Love, Carol’ or ‘Doug.’”
Margulies’ Broadway play is a romantic comedy by Delia Ephron, inspired by her bestselling memoir of the same title. Meanwhile, Clooney’s Broadway debut will be in Good Night, and Good Luck, a play adapted from the 2005 film that he co-wrote, directed, and starred in.
The official synopsis describes Good Night, and Good Luck as a historical drama focusing on the conflict between renowned journalist Edward Murrow and notorious U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy, known for his anti-communist activities. The title references Murrow’s broadcast sign-off, with Clooney portraying Murrow’s co-producer, Fred W. Friendly.
Upon the announcement of the play in May, Clooney expressed his excitement, stating, “I am honored, after all these years, to be coming back to the stage and especially to Broadway, the art form and the venue that every actor aspires to.”
