Ellen DeGeneres rose to fame as a stand-up comedian before starring in her sitcom, Ellen. In 1997, she publicly came out as gay and became a strong supporter of LGBTQ rights.
Later, she began hosting her award-winning talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show which aired from 2003 to 2022. Ellen has also acted in several films including the animated hits Finding Nemo and its sequel Finding Dory. She is married to model and actress Portia de Rossi.
Quick Facts About Ellen DeGeneres
| Full Name | Ellen Lee DeGeneres |
| Date of Birth | January 26, 1958 |
| Birthplace | Metairie, Louisiana, USA |
| Occupation | Comedian, Actress, TV Host |
| Famous Show | The Ellen DeGeneres Show |
| Sitcom | Ellen |
| Advocacy | LGBTQ Rights |
| Notable Films | Finding Nemo, Finding Dory |
| Marriage | Portia de Rossi |
| Awards | Multiple Daytime Emmy Awards |
Young Ellen DeGeneres’s Early Life
Ellen Lea DeGeneres was born on January 26, 1958, in Metairie, Louisiana. She was raised by her father who sold insurance and her mother Betty who worked outside the home. Ellen’s parents divorced during her teenage years.
Ellen aspired to be a veterinarian but she changed her mind because she struggled with school at an early age. Instead, she took on various jobs to support herself. These included working as a waitress, selling vacuum cleaners, painting houses, and serving as a legal secretary.
Ellen’s older brother Vance is known as an actor and comedian. He was often viewed as the funny one in their family. A key moment for Ellen occurred during a public speaking event.
She felt nervous facing the crowd at the event. To ease her nerves, Ellen chose to make jokes. Her humor helped her connect with the audience. This experience boosted her confidence and performance.
The success inspired her to explore stand-up comedy. Ellen began her stand-up journey in 1981. Her mother provided encouragement throughout her career. Ellen’s comedic talent was evident from a young age.
Vance’s influence contributed to Ellen’s sense of humor. Ellen used humor as a tool to overcome anxiety. Stand-up comedy became a significant part of her life. Ellen’s journey started with her ability to make people laugh.
Early Stand-Up Comedy Career
At 23, Ellen DeGeneres started performing at a local coffeehouse. Her big break came in 1986 five years later. Jay Leno tipped off The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson leading them to see her perform at the Improv in Hollywood.
After that performance, DeGeneres appeared on The Tonight Show, making history as the first female comic invited by Carson to sit on the famous couch during her first visit.
Talk Show Appearances
Ellen quickly became a regular on various talk shows, including:
- The Late Show with David Letterman
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
- The Oprah Winfrey Show
- Later with Greg Kinnear
- Larry King Live
- Good Morning America
- She was also featured on ABC’s PrimeTime Live.
Awards Hosting
Ellen’s friendly and funny style made her a popular choice for hosting major awards shows. She hosted:
- The Grammys in 1996 and 1997
- The Emmy Awards in 2001 and 2005
- The Academy Awards in 2007 and 2014
Comedy Specials
- In 2004, Ellen received two Emmy nominations for her HBO comedy special Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now.
- After a 15-year break, her first Netflix stand-up special, Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable, came out in December 2018.
- Five years later, her final special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, premiered on Netflix in September 2024.
Success on Tv
Ellen DeGeneres charmed audiences with her humor, leading her to star in her primetime sitcom. The show, initially named These Friends of Mine, was changed to Ellen in 1994. As it progressed, the focus shifted to highlight DeGeneres more prominently rather than a large cast.
In April 1997, Ellen made waves when DeGeneres’s character became the first main character in a sitcom to openly come out as gay. This groundbreaking episode faced challenges for instance, an ABC affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, decided not to air it. Some advertisers including Daimler Chrysler also pulled their support out of concern for potential backlash.
Ellen DeGeneres captivated audiences with her humor and achieved success as an actress on her sitcom, Ellen. The show, initially called These Friends of Mine, was renamed in 1994. It shifted from an ensemble cast to focusing more on DeGeneres herself.
In April 1997, the show made history when Ellen’s character openly identified as gay. This groundbreaking moment faced backlash, with an ABC affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, refusing to air the episode. Some sponsors including Daimler Chrysler also pulled their ads due to fears of controversy.
LGBTQ Status
After Ellen’s reveal, several episodes included LGBTQ themes. Ellen and ABC faced strong criticism for these themes. They also received support from LGBTQ activists. DeGeneres’ mother, Betty, was vocal in her support.
Betty advocated for Ellen on various talk shows. The show received an Emmy Award for the coming-out episode. Despite praise, the show was canceled in 1998.
Ellen later shared the challenges of coming out. She revealed executives advised her against being open. Ellen faced backlash for sharing her personal life. On Dax Shepard’s podcast, she discussed her experiences.
She felt humiliated by being the target of late-night jokes. Ellen rejected being labeled as an LGBTQ “leader.” Her desire was simply to live openly without fear. Ellen’s journey highlighted the struggles of authenticity.
Movies and Stand-Up
Ellen DeGeneres transitioned to film even before her TV show ended. Here are some notable movies she starred in:
- Mr. Wrong (1996): A dark comedy about a woman on a quest for the ideal partner.
- EdTV (1999): A comedy featuring Matthew McConaughey about reality TV.
- If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000): A TV film where she shared a notable love scene with Sharon Stone.
- Finding Nemo (2003): Ellen voiced Dory, a lovable and forgetful blue tang fish.
- Finding Dory (2016): She returned to voice Dory again in this sequel.
Ellen’s film career flourished alongside her stand-up comedy endeavors.
Ellen DeGeneres Books, TV Producer, and More
- I Do Have One (1995)
- Seriously… I’m Kidding (2011)
- Home (2015)
Although her film appearances decreased after her talk show became popular, she has been active as a producer. Some of the TV shows she has produced include:
- Bethenny (2012-2014)
- Repeat After Me (2015)
- One Big Happy (2015)
- Little Big Shots (2015)
- Ellen’s Design Challenge (HGTV)
Ellen continues to expand her influence in Hollywood. She owns a record label called Eleveneleven and started a lifestyle brand, Ed by Ellen, offering shoes, home goods, baby products, accessories, and pet items.
An advocate for animal and LGBTQ rights, she follows a vegan lifestyle. In 2018, for her 60th birthday, her wife revealed plans for the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda, part of the new Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund.
In recognition of her contributions, Ellen received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in November 2016. She received the Carol Burnett Award for Excellence in Television at the January 2020 Golden Globes making her the second recipient of this award
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
Ellen DeGeneres started dating Portia de Rossi in December 2004. They got married on August 16, 2008, after California allowed same-sex marriages. Their wedding was highly publicized.
In 2010, Portia changed her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres. Before Portia, Ellen had a long relationship with actress Anne Heche. They bought a home together in Los Angeles in 1999. Although they wanted to get married. They split up in August 2000. Ellen also dated Alexandra Hedison for a few years before finding love with Portia.
Ellen DeGeneres’s Abuse Revelation
In a 2005 interview with Allure magazine, Ellen DeGeneres revealed that she had been sexually abused by her stepfather. Later, during a 2019 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show, she talked more about this experience. Ellen recalled how her stepfather would insist on “examining” her breasts for lumps after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1970s.
Quotes
- I notice how people act, which is why I became a comedian. We do some silly things!
- Adults also bully. They need to know they should be kind, just like we tell kids.
- Nothing says holidays like a cheese log.
- My grandma walked five miles daily at 60. Now she’s 97, and we can’t find her!
- You can’t see yourself well until others show you who you are.
- Procrastinate now. Don’t wait!
- Think positively! Instead of saying, “I’m a loser,” just own it. Are you or not?
- There are books on life-threatening situations, but what about the embarrassing ones?
- Life is short. Ask a butterfly; they live only five to 14 days.
- I’m not depressed, but I feel sad about how people treat each other and judge one another.
FAQs
What is Ellen DeGeneres’s wife’s name?
Portia de Rossi.
What is Ellen DeGeneres’s net worth?
Net worth is around $500 million.
What was Ellen DeGeneres like when she was young?
Ellen was shy and aspired to be a veterinarian before choosing comedy.
What is Ellen DeGeneres’s age?
66 years old.
What are Ellen DeGeneres’s relationships?
Ellen has dated Anne Heche and is currently married to Portia de Rossi.
Who is Ellen DeGeneres’s daughter?
Ellen does not have a daughter; she has a close bond with her wife’s family.
What is Ellen DeGeneres doing in 2024?
In 2024, she is doing personal projects and philanthropic efforts.