'Vicious' was 'turning point' for Clooney

Actor George Clooney says his role in "Vicious" helped to launch his career.

The "Monuments Men" actor starred as a male-prostitute drug-dealer in the 1986 play.

"In those days, most small theatre was as much a showcase as anything else. No one would have tape of themselves unless they'd gotten work on a show or a film. So agents and casting directors would come to the plays regularly to look for actors...that's how it worked," New York magazine quoted Clooney as saying, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"I got an agent from it. I got guest shots on TV shows from it. I got my sag card from it. I always look back at that play as the turning point for me. Later, we took it to the Steppenwolf Theatre. It was really a terrific play! That was the first time I really felt like, 'Okay, I'm in the right business, and I shouldn't be embarrassed about everything I do," the 54-year-old added.