George Clooney made a memorable solo appearance at his Broadway debut in Good Night, And Good Luck at the Winter Garden Theatre, but it wasn’t just his performance that turned heads — it was his dramatic new look.

The 63-year-old actor, known for his signature salt-and-pepper hair, surprised fans by debuting a striking dark brown hairstyle, giving him the appearance of the legendary 1950s journalist Edward R. Murrow, a role he’s portraying in the play. Clooney fully embraced the transformation, leaving fans and critics alike doing a double-take.

In a candid interview, Clooney joked about his new look, admitting, “My wife is going to hate it. Nothing makes you look older than when an older guy dyes his hair,” and laughing, “My kids are going to just laugh at me nonstop.”

While Amal Clooney, his wife, was absent due to parenting duties with their seven-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, George was quick to show his appreciation for her support. “She’s with the kids,” he said, adding, “They love being here. I mean, come on, how do you not love this? It’s New York City.”

The Clooneys recently relocated to Manhattan, allowing George to fully dedicate himself to the production. George shared that the play’s schedule has worked out well for their family. “You’re working at night. You get to see the kids during the day, so it’s okay,” he said on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

Good Night, And Good Luck is an adaptation of Clooney’s acclaimed 2005 film about the fight for journalistic integrity during McCarthyism. Clooney now steps into the shoes of Murrow, a role famously portrayed by David Strathairn in the film. The play has already garnered positive attention for his portrayal, with George bringing a quiet gravitas to the character.

The opening night saw a host of celebrity guests, including Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman, Gayle King, and Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, who attended with their daughter, model Kaia Gerber.