Gerran Howell, known for his role as Dr. Dennis Whitaker, recently admitted to playing a prank on George Clooney while filming the HBO miniseries Catch-22. Speaking on the 3rd Hour of TODAY on January 28, Howell expressed his anxiety about Clooney discovering he was the prankster. The incident happened during the shoot in Italy, where Clooney was both an actor and director on the project.
How the Prank Came Together on the Catch-22 Set
Howell explained that the idea came about while they were working on location at an Air Force base in Italy, where bicycles were the main mode of transportation. After visiting a local supermarket, someone suggested decorating Clooney’s bike with My Little Pony accessories, including glittery streamers and a pink bell. Howell admitted to giving in to peer pressure and completing the prank.
He recalled,
“So I did that, and then I remember riding onto set, and he had clearly ripped them off.”
Despite Clooney removing the decorations, Howell said the prank went unnoticed on set, leaving him worried about when the Oscar-winning actor might finally realize what happened.
Background and Context of Catch-22 and Actor Involvement
Both Howell and Noah Wyle, another co-star from Catch-22, have previous connections to Clooney. Wyle worked with Clooney during their time on the medical drama ER, while Howell collaborated with him on Catch-22, which premiered in 2019. Howell played Kid Sampson in five episodes of the series, adapted from Joseph Heller’s 1961 novel. Clooney appeared as Scheisskopf in three episodes, directed two, and served as an executive producer.
Reflecting on the Prank and Future Collaborations
The TODAY co-hosts joked about this being Howell’s first and last experience working with George Clooney, to which Howell laughed in agreement. The prank, while lighthearted, demonstrates the camaraderie and playful spirit present during production. For fans of Catch-22, these behind-the-scenes moments add character to the acclaimed series and its talented ensemble.
