Press Releases

GEORGE CLOONEY TO SPEAK IN HOUSTON FOR THE BRILLIANT LECTURE SERIES

Conversations with Brilliance hosts Oscar-Winning Actor and Humanitarian

HOUSTON (March 1, 2012) –Today The Brilliant Lecture Series announces Academy Award winning actor and international humanitarian George Clooney will be the featured speaker on May 3 at the Brown Theatre in Wortham Center. Clooney’s appearance will be the first time he has spoken in this format in North America. The Brilliant Lecture Series is a Houston, Texas not-for-profit organization whose aim is to support young people and their families, particularly students from underrepresented portions of society in their journey through life.

“George Clooney is one of the most recognizable actors in the world and his humanitarian work is second to none,” said Scott Brogan, Founding Director of The Brilliant Lecture Series. “I couldn't be more thrilled to present Mr. Clooney to our audience on May 3.”

True to its mission, founder Scott Brogan, brings someone ‘brilliant’ from international leaders, prize-winning authors and actors, to eminent scientists and business leaders to inspire Houstonians.  The Conversations with Brilliance series offers Houstonians a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the world’s greatest minds to inspire leadership in Houston’s youth and their families.

George Clooney has devoted his time off screen to humanitarian causes, including initiating the Satellite Sentinel Project, which combines satellite imagery analysis and field reports with Google’s Map Maker technology to help deter mass atrocities in areas of crisis. He is also the co-founder of the Not on Our Watch Project, which works to bring global attention to international crises and give voice to their victims.  A United Nations messenger of peace since 2008, Clooney has been a tireless advocate for resolving the ongoing genocide in Darfur, having spoken to the UN and held fundraisers on behalf of the crisis. In 2007, Clooney (along with fellow Not on Our Watch founder Don Cheadle) was awarded with the Summit Peace Award by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, recognizing his commitment to directing attention to the conflict in Darfur.

Clooney has starred in such films as the Coen brothers’ O Brother, Where Art Thou? The Ocean’s series; Syriana, for which he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor; Michael Clayton; Up in the Air; The Men Who Stare at Goats; and The American. He also collaborated with his father on the documentary Darfur Now and narrated and co-executive produced the documentary Sand and Sorrow. Equal parts Hollywood star, down-to-earth everyman, and devoted humanitarian, George Clooney delights and inspires audiences with his intelligence, candor, passion, and humor.

Tickets for the lecture start at $25 up to $150. For more information, contact 713.974.1335 or visit www.brilliantlectures.org.

About Brilliant Lecture Series

The Brilliant Lecture Series provides support, inspiration, and a forum for generating new ideas through lectures, workshops and in-school programs. The mission of the Brilliant Lecture Series is to motivate and inspire by presenting national and international leaders, role models, philanthropists, artists, humanitarians, authors, and entrepreneurs to our great city. The organization has three on-going programs to achieve this mission: Conversations with Brilliance, Brill Talks, and the International Youth Leadership Forum, which has made a positive impact on more than 36,000 students and their families. Conversations with Brilliance hosts someone ‘brilliant’ once every quarter. From international leaders, prize-winning authors and actors, to eminent scientists and business leaders – the Conversations with Brilliance series offers an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the world’s greatest minds inspiring leadership in Houston’s youth and their families. Each speaker will take the audience through his or her life – followed by a question and answer session. Since its inception, the Brilliant Lecture Series has presented luminaries: Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Sir Sidney Poitier, former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, CNN Hero Doc Hendley, Dame Julie Andrews, Diana Ross, Dr. Maya Angelou and Lauren Bacall to name just a few.

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