In a revelation that proves even A-list celebrities are susceptible to the allure of infomercials, two-time Academy Award winner George Clooney admitted to a surprisingly thrifty and low-tech grooming secret: he has been cutting his own hair for 25 years using an 80s vacuum cleaner attachment called the Flowbee. The shocking confession, made during an interview on CBS Sunday Morning with correspondent Tracy Smith in November 2020, instantly went viral, pulling back the curtain on the hair routine behind one of Hollywood’s most famously handsome faces.
George Clooney Shocks Fans By Admitting He Hasn’t Been to a Barber for 25 Years
Clooney revealed that his haircut takes “literally two minutes” and that he has been a faithful user of the device for over two decades. When asked by Smith if his use of the device was due to the pandemic quarantine, Clooney replied, “Nah. Look, my hair’s, like really like straw, you know? And it’s so easy to cut. You can’t really make too many mistakes. So years ago I bought a thing called a Flowbee, which when we were kids…” The actor’s sustained use of the device suggests his famously neat locks, seen in countless films and on red carpets, are all thanks to the Flowbee. He even proved he wasn’t joking in a later appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, giving a quick, live demonstration of how the device works.
The Flowbee Phenomenon: Data and History
The Device: The Flowbee is an electrically powered vacuum cleaner attachment and clipper system, invented and patented in 1986 by San Diego carpenter Rick E. Hunts. It works by using a vacuum to suck the hair straight up into a spacer, where internal blades then cut it, neatly collecting the trimmings directly into the vacuum canister. Sales Data: The device, sold on infomercials since 1988, had already sold 2 million units by the year 2000. However, the “Clooney Effect” was immediate and dramatic: the actor’s public shout-out caused an immediate tenfold surge in sales in late 2020, overwhelming the company’s inventory and resulting in complete sell-outs across the country, with fulfillment delays of up to four weeks.
An Unexpected Companion to Iconic Roles
Clooney’s 25-year tenure with the Flowbee places the device’s use across the entire span of his transition from a television star to a celebrated film actor and director. His Flowbee-trimmed hair would have accompanied him through some of his most notable and critically acclaimed roles, including the charming Danny Ocean in the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy (starting in 2001), his Oscar-winning role as Bob Barnes in Syriana (2005), and his Academy Award-nominated performance in Michael Clayton (2007).
Beyond the Barbershop: Astronauts’ Choice
Clooney’s candid disclosure is a fascinating footnote to the broader history of the Flowbee. The device has been parodied in films like Wayne’s World (1992), where it was called the “Suck Kut.” Even more notably, due to the vacuum element that collects stray hairs, hair-cutting devices similar to the Flowbee are utilized by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to prevent loose hair particles from floating and causing potential damage or hygiene issues in the microgravity environment. Clooney’s revelation highlights a delightful contrast between his polished, Hollywood persona and his practical, do-it-yourself approach to grooming, confirming that sometimes, the simplest solutions—even those straight from a late-night infomercial—are the most enduring.