Clooney Won't Return to ER
The actor said, "Thanks, but no thanks," to offers to return as Dr. Ross.
Despite several former members of the ER cast agreeing to return to the show for its final season, executives have had no luck persuading George Clooney to don the scrubs once more, according to Reuters.
Executive producer David Zabel told TV Guide that there were potential story lines for many of the former cast members, including Clooney's Dr. Ross and his love interest, Carol Hathaway, played by Julianna Margulies.
Anthony Edwards agreed to return to ER earlier this month. His character, Dr. Mark Green, starred on the show for nine seasons and died in May 2002 from brain cancer. Paul McCrane also agreed to resurrect his character, Dr. Romano, though his character also died.
Among the still-living doctors who agreed to a cameo in the final season are Noah Wyle, who played Dr. John Carter, and Laura Innes, who played the fiery-haired Dr. Weaver.
Clooney's publicist, Stan Rosenfield, said Clooney was not returning to the show.
"He is on record as saying he is not coming back," Rosenfield said Monday. "It is something he has already done. He is busy making movies."
The Chicago-based series was the top-rated U.S. television drama for several years. The series will conclude in May 2009 with a two-hour series finale preceded by a one-hour retrospective.
