Noah Wyle, known for his role in The Pitt, attended the 2026 Golden Globe Awards with his wife Sarah Wells, hours before winning Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series — Drama. Wyle discussed his memorable reunion with his former ER co-star, George Clooney, at the AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards, highlighting the meaningful connection they have shared over decades, intertwined with the George Clooney ER reunion that fans have long cherished.
Decades of Support and Career Milestones Shared
Wyle shared details about his enduring friendship with Clooney, emphasizing both their personal connection and the professional milestones they have witnessed together. He noted their friendship has lasted for over three decades, each supporting the other regardless of not always being directly involved in each other’s lives.
“We’ve now known each other for 32 years and while we are not always intimate in each other’s lives, we’ve always been incredibly supportive of each other’s careers and turned out for each other.”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
Recently, Wyle attended Clooney’s Broadway debut, where Clooney played Edward R. Murrow in a role that earned him a Tony. Wyle later presented Clooney with an award for his performance in Jay Kelly, underscoring the mutual admiration between these two actors.
“I got to see him make his Broadway debut earlier this year, playing Edward R. Murrow in his Tony-winning performance, and give him an award last night for his stellar performance in ‘Jay Kelly.’”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
“He got to say some great, lovely things to me and I’m so proud of him and I know he’s proud of me,”
Wyle added, sharing the deep pride they feel for each other’s achievements.
“It’s lovely that we still get to do what we love to do, and nobody’s caught us yet.”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
The Legendary ER Trailer Pep Talk
During their conversation, Wyle confirmed the legendary tale of Clooney rallying the ER cast for a pep talk inside his trailer at the show‘s outset. According to Wyle, Clooney gathered everyone to set the tone for a collaborative and respectful working environment, laying out clear expectations to ensure success.
“He called us all into his trailer and he said ‘Okay, guys, I’ve been on a lot of failed pilots. I know what makes a show fail, and I think I know what makes a show work, and this one’s gonna be different. We’re going to be nice to everybody, we’re going to be on time, we’re going to know our lines, there’s not going to be any division between foreground and background, or cast and crew, we’re going to take our work seriously, we’re not going to take ourselves seriously, and we’re going to make a great show.’”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
The rest of the cast readily agreed to Clooney’s vision.
“And we all said, ‘Okay,’ like, ‘Why not?’”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
Wyle admitted that at the time, he was unaware of just how rare such a cohesive, respectful environment was in the television industry.
“I was young enough and naive enough to not know that isn’t how it always goes. I had this lovely 15-year run on that show, and spent another 15 years trying to find that feeling again.”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
Recapturing Collaboration and Community in Later Work
Years after his time on ER, Wyle found himself seeking the same positive and inclusive atmosphere on set. He expressed that it was not until his recent experience with The Pitt that the sense of unity and respect truly returned to his professional life.
“It wasn’t until ‘The Pitt’ that it kind of came back — validating that there’s a way of working that’s very communal, and very inclusive, and very respectful, and also a lot of fun,”
Wyle reflected.
“And you’re still capable of doing work that resonates all around the world.”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
As he became an acting veteran, Wyle embraced the role Clooney once had on ER, acting as a mentor and guide for younger cast members. He credited his openness to learning from seasoned professionals and his commitment to fostering a healthy and respectful work environment.
“I’ve always been that kind of kid in the room, and I’ve always sought out my elders, and tried to learn at the foot of the people who have been there before me, and I’ve recognized that I stand on these shoulders of giants,”
Wyle said.
“So, passing forward that knowledge, especially in terms of professionalism or set decorum, is really important to me.”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
The Lasting Influence of Mentorship in the Acting World
Wyle also acknowledged lessons from the late Rob Reiner, highlighting the importance of kindness and professionalism on set. Reiner’s welcoming approach during the filming of A Few Good Men left a lasting impact that shaped Wyle’s attitude in the industry.
“Not only George taught me that, but Rob Reiner — rest in peace — on ‘A Few Good Men’ was so welcoming to me on my first day at work.”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
“It took so little effort on his part to make me feel comfortable and competent and confident, that it was a lesson that I’ve taken with me every set I’ve ever been on.”
— Noah Wyle, Actor
With mentorship in mind, Wyle emphasized the importance of creating a supportive atmosphere for newcomers in any cast or crew.
“Extend the hand at welcome, make sure somebody’s anxiety gets alleviated, tell them it’s going to be fun and it usually will be,”
Noah emphasized. — Noah Wyle, Actor
The Ongoing Legacy of the ER Cast and Their Influence
The recent meetings between Noah Wyle and George Clooney continue to illustrate the deep bonds formed on the ER set, as well as the enduring impact of fostering support and respect within the industry. Clooney’s early approach to cast unity helped set the tone for a show that lasted 15 years, shaping careers and influencing industry standards. As Wyle moves forward with projects such as The Pitt, he carries with him the lessons of communal respect and mentorship he first learned during the iconic George Clooney ER reunion and continues to inspire others across generations in the world of television and film.
