BY DAVID BAUDER
The Associated Press
NEW YORK -- George Clooney's Dr. Douglas Ross won't be on call at ER after the end of the next television season.
Although it was widely expected Mr. Clooney would leave the top-rated drama at the end of his five-year contract, the actor made it official Friday with the announcement of a development deal with CBS.
But the deal will keep fans of Dr. Ross happy at least until May, as it does keep Mr. Clooney on ER through then. He may still make occasional guest appearances on NBC's top-rated drama after next season ends, a spokeswoman said.
Mr. Clooney was the first real breakout star of the medical drama, parlaying his celebrity into a movie career that's included a stint in the Batman suit. His latest film, Out of Sight, is in theaters soon.
The CBS deal reunites Clooney with Leslie Moonves, who as president of Warner Bros. cast the actor in "ER." Moonves is now president of CBS Television.
It's a two-year development deal where Clooney, through his Maysville Pictures company, has agreed to be executive producer of a series and two television movies.
Clooney has made no commitment to star in any of the projects, but Moonves is expected to try to convince him to stay in front of the camera instead of just behind it.
"I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in business with than George Clooney," Moonves said. "I admire him as a person, appreciate his talents as an actor and enormously respect his creative instincts."
