About Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen Lee DeGeneres, distinguished as one of America’s most iconic entertainers, has undoubtedly left an everlasting imprint on the realms of comedy, television, and literature. Her influential journey commenced in the domain of stand-up comedy, where she enraptured audiences with her unparalleled wit and humor, leading to the creation of her own critically acclaimed sitcom, “Ellen,” which merited her a distinguished Primetime Emmy Award for the unforgettable “The Puppy Episode.”
Ellen ascended to even greater heights as the host of the widely syndicated talk show “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” a remarkable production that not only enjoyed immense popularity but also garnered an astounding 33 Daytime Emmy Awards. Ellen DeGeneres, besides her entertainment achievements, supports LGBTQ rights. She came out as gay in 1997 and got married to Portia de Rossi in 2008.
Ellen DeGeneres: Quick Facts
- Birth Name: Ellen Lee DeGeneres
- Birth Date: January 26, 1958
- Birth Place: Louisiana, United Statesd
- Gender: Female
- Career: Stand-up Comedy, Actress, Writer
- Most Known For: She is most known for ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show,’ ‘The Love Letter (1999),’ voicing Dory in the Disney/Pixar animated features Finding Nemo (2003) and Finding Dory (2016).
Early Life
The well-known actress DeGeneres was raised in Metairie, Louisiana, under the care of Elizabeth Jane “Betty” (née Pfeffer) and Elliott Everett DeGeneres. Ellen and her brother Vance, a gifted musician and producer, were raised in the Christian Science religion despite their struggles. Regretfully, DeGeneres’ parents divorced the next year after deciding to separate in 1973.
Her mother then married a driven salesman named Roy Gruessendorf, and the two of them relocated to Atlanta, Texas, from the bustling metropolis of New Orleans. Vance stayed with their father in the period between.
When DeGeneres was just 15 or 16 years old, she went through a traumatic event. Her stepfather, Gruessendorf, used her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis as a twisted excuse to engage in inappropriate behavior, exploiting her vulnerability to touch her inappropriately under the guise of a medical examination.
After her initial high school years at Grace King High School in Metairie, DeGeneres graduated from Atlanta High School in May 1976. She then pursued a major in communication studies at the University of New Orleans but left after a semester to work in a law firm and took on various jobs such as working at J.C. Penney, waitressing at TGI Fridays and another restaurant, as well as working as a house painter, hostess, and bartender. These early experiences greatly influenced her comedic work, which often draws from her childhood and career experiences.
Stand-Up Comedy
DeGeneres’s brother Vance, a comedian and former correspondent for The Daily Show, was seen as the funny one in the family. Ellen, feeling scared during a public speaking event, used humor and was a success, leading to offers for stand-up comedy. Encouraged by her mother, she started performing in 1981.
DeGeneres began her career in modest coffee shops and clubs and soon established herself as a stand-up comedian. Because of her skill, she was asked to emcee Clyde’s Comedy Club in New Orleans in 1981. She took influence from comedy icons Woody Allen and Steve Martin at this time.
As the 1980s went on, DeGeneres started doing national tours and in 1984, she was named Showtime’s Funniest Person in America. But her real professional start came in 1986 with a significant breakthrough. A booking agent was given the opportunity to see her performance at the renowned Hollywood Improv thanks to a tip from Jay Leno of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
After her incredible performance on The Tonight Show, DeGeneres received an invitation to appear on the show and achieved a noteworthy milestone: she was the only female comic to be invited to sit on Johnny Carson’s fabled “couch” on her first visit.
After a fifteen-year hiatus from stand-up comedy, DeGeneres made a stunning comeback with the 2018 Netflix stand-up special “Relatable.” She has had several notable appearances on talk programs during her career, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Late Show with David Letterman. Comedic icons like Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, and Bob Newhart have had a profound effect on DeGeneres. Moreover, her influence has been so great that she was widely profiled on ABC’s PrimeTime Live.
‘Ellen’ Show and ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’
Originally, Ellen DeGeneres starred in the Fox comedy “Open House,” which was a brief spin-off of “Duet.” She showcased her skills in this series as the vivacious receptionist at Juan Verde Real Estate Company, Margo Van Meter. Her quick wit immediately won over viewers, and she went on to become a successful actor in her own prime-time sitcom. In 1994, the program that had been called “These Friends of Mine” changed its name to the adored self-titled series “Ellen.” The program evolved from an ensemble endeavor to a venue that really highlighted DeGeneres’s extraordinary abilities as it went on.
When Ellen DeGeneres came out as gay on The Oprah Winfrey Show in April 1997, her celebrity exploded. Even her comedy character experienced a moment of truth with Oprah Winfrey’s character, who played her therapist. This historic episode, dubbed “The Puppy Episode,” enthralled viewers and rose to the top of the show’s ratings, gaining her an Emmy Award. Despite a fifth season, the show’s ratings eventually dropped, which resulted in its cancelation.
Nevertheless, DeGeneres triumphantly returned to television in 2001 with a brand-new CBS comedy called The Ellen Show. Regrettably, the show was only around for 13 episodes. After departing from sitcoms, DeGeneres transformed her career by becoming a highly successful talk show presenter.
When Ellen DeGeneres debuted her talk program “Ellen” in 2003, it quickly gained popularity among daytime audiences. The program has garnered a great deal of success and several accolades, including 12 Daytime Emmys, 4 awards for Best Talk Show, and 25 Emmy Awards. Celebrity attendees for DeGeneres’ 1000th episode celebration on May 1, 2009 included Paris Hilton, Justin Timberlake, and Oprah Winfrey. In December 2015, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Timberlake gave Ellen DeGeneres a surprise at her 2,000th episode.
Paula Abdul was replaced as a judge for the ninth season of American Idol by Ellen DeGeneres. In 2017–2018, DeGeneres took over as host of the NBC game program Ellen’s Game of Games. DeGeneres said in May 2021 that her chat show will end in 2022.
Films
Following the cancellation of her television program, DeGeneres pursued her career in film, making her screen debut in the engrossing dark comedy “Mr. Wrong” (1996), in which she portrayed a lady searching for the perfect companion. She costarred with the gifted Matthew McConaughey in the amusing comedy “EdTV” (1999). Her much-discussed love scene with the legendary Sharon Stone stole the show in the television rendition of “If These Walls Could Talk 2” (2000), where she also excelled.
DeGeneres first gained recognition in the animation field in 2003 when she provided the voice of Finding Nemo, a famous movie. Her depiction of the endearing yet oblivious tiny blue fish, Dory, captured the hearts and minds of viewers everywhere.
Her comic ability was acknowledged the next year when she received two Emmy Award nominations for Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now, her stand-up comedy special. In 2016, DeGeneres triumphantly returned to the Nemo series with the much-awaited Finding Dory sequel, continuing her amazing journey.
Books
In addition to being a renowned talk show host, DeGeneres has also made a name for herself as an accomplished author. She has written several books, such as the thought-provoking “My Point … and I Do Have One” (1995), the hilarious “Seriously … I’m Kidding” (2011), and the heartwarming “Home” (2015). While her film career took a backseat after the success of her talk show, DeGeneres has continued to thrive behind the scenes. She has served as an executive producer for various television shows, including “Bethenny” (2012-2014), “Repeat After Me” (2015), “One Big Happy” (2015), “Little Big Shots” (2015), and her captivating HGTV reality competition show, “Ellen’s Design Challenge”.
Personal Life
DeGeneres has identified as a vegan and a passionate animal advocate. De Rossi is also committed to a vegan lifestyle. DeGeneres spearheaded a vegan outreach platform called “Going Vegan with Ellen”. Additionally, she had plans to launch a vegan tapas bar, Bokado, in Los Angeles although the project did not come to fruition.
Ellen DeGeneres had a long-term relationship with actress Anne Heche. They expressed their intention to get married, but unfortunately, they separated in August 2000. Ellen then entered a relationship with Alexandra Hedison for a few years before finding love with actress Portia de Rossi in December 2004. Their union became one of the most talked-about gay marriages when they tied the knot on August 16, 2008, following the legalization of same-sex unions in California. As a sign of their commitment, Portia legally changed her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres in 2010.
According to Forbes, DeGeneres’s earnings in 2020 were estimated to be a staggering US$84 million, contributing to a net worth of US$370 million. These remarkable figures cement her position as the 12th highest-paid entertainer globally. Recognized for her tremendous influence, Forbes named her the 50th most powerful woman in the world in 2015, and she claimed the second spot on the prestigious World Pride Power list.
