By Sean O’Connell

Hollywoodnews.com: George Clooney has become such a huge movie star, it’s easy to forget that he got his start on television. The actor cut his professional teeth on such shows as “The Facts of Life” and “Roseanne” before “E.R.” turned him into a household name. And now television’s prepared to honor Clooney for his career, and his off-screen accomplishments.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences have selected Clooney to receive this year’s Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. It will be presented to the actor during the Emmys, which will be televised on NBC on Aug. 29.

The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award goes to someone whose humanitarian work has brought credit to the industry and has had a lasting impact on society. Other recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, and Danny Thomas.

“George was an obvious choice for this honor,” said John Shaffner, the TV Academy’s Chairman and CEO, in a statement. “He has understood and harnessed the power of television, the most powerful medium of our time, to reach into the hearts of people around the world and compelled us to action on behalf of those in sudden and desperate need as well those tragically oppressed in Darfur.”

Clooney will next be seen on the big screen in the motion picture “The American,” which opens on Sept. 1. In the meantime, expect a humble and self-deprecating speech at the Emmys as Clooney accepts his award. We wouldn’t have him any other way.

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