Before The Pitt, Gerran Howell Was In A WWII Series With George Clooney And Kyle Chandler
Before scrubbing in on The Pitt, Gerran Howell joined George Clooney and Kyle Chandler in a WWII miniseries with one memorable on-set prank.
Gerran Howell's prior role in the WWII miniseries "Catch-22" may have set the stage for his future work on the high-stakes Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. A year before his debut as Dennis Whitaker in "The Pitt," Howell portrayed the young soldier Kid Sampson in Hulu's adaptation of Joseph Heller's World War II novel. The series revolved around Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Air Force bombardier striving to evade combat, and his confrontations with Colonel Cathcart and Major Scheisskopf.
Kid, while not a central figure, contributed to one of the series' more somber moments. Gerran Howell was the first actor chosen for the role of Kid, reportedly selected by Clooney after being impressed by his audition tape. Clooney directed two episodes of the miniseries, with cinematographer Ellen Kuras and filmmaker Grant Heslov each taking the helm for two episodes each.
"Catch-22" premiered on Hulu in 2019, receiving accolades for Clooney's direction and the show's striking visuals, which earned a 2019 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Supporting Role. The first time Howell collaborated with Clooney, he orchestrated a playful prank that left an indelible impression on the actor.
During filming on an Air Force base in Italy, Gerran and fellow cast members adorned Clooney's bicycle with glittery streamers. Clooney, unsurprisingly, removed the decorations the following day, but Howell later recalled the incident with a mix of amusement and trepidation, noting that the prank remained a cherished memory. Clooney's influence extended beyond the prank, as Gerran later learned that the actor had played a role in securing his casting for "The Pitt."
In a 2026 interview, Howell recounted hearing in interviews that there were communications between George Clooney and Noah Wyle, with Clooney reportedly recommending Gerran for the part. Howell attributed his success to maintaining good relationships and ensuring everyone's happiness on set.
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