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Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres TV Listings

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Ellen DeGeneres Biography

Ellen DeGeneres
  • Birth Name: Ellen Lee DeGeneres
  • Birth Place: New Orleans, LA
  • Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 01/26/1958, Aquarius
  • Profession: Talk-show host; actor; writer; comedian
As famous for her personal life as her career, DeGeneres initially came to prominence as a stand-up comedian. Championed by late-night talk-show host Johnny Carson, the tomboyish blonde made numerous appearances on his show in the '80s before landing her own eponymous sitcom in 1994. Although there was a lot of gossip surrounding DeGeneres' sexual orientation, she was silent on the subject until 1997, when she — and her small-screen alter ego — came out, along with her then-lover Anne Heche. The episode sparked controversy and kicked open the closet door for lesbian actresses. Unfortunately, the show was canceled the next season. After a handful of bad movies and an unsuccessful second sitcom, DeGeneres finally found her niche hosting her own daytime talk show and new love with small-screen siren Portia de Rossi. In 2007, she achieved a longtime dream by hosting the Academy Awards.
Ellen DeGeneres Fast Facts:
  • Before entering show business, bartended, sold clothes, shucked oysters, peddled vacuums, waited tables and worked as a paralegal.
  • Dropped out of the University of New Orleans after one semester.
  • Performed her first stand-up routine in a New Orleans club in 1980, which revolved around consuming a Whopper, fries and a milk shake.
  • In 1982, participated in a Showtime stand-up competition and was voted the Funniest Person in America for her "conversation with God" monologue.
  • Named Best Female Comedy Club Stand-up at the 1991 American Comedy Awards.
  • Was originally offered Sandra Bullock's role in the 1994 action film Speed but turned it down. Also turned down an offer to be one of the regulars in Friends.
  • "The jury is still out on my career," she told TV Guide in 1997. "Let's see if I can accomplish what I want to accomplish, which is getting over stereotypes."
  • Authored My Point… And I Do Have One and The Funny Thing Is…, both best-sellers.
    Ellen DeGeneres Relationships:
  • Portia De Rossi - Significant Other
  • Anne Heche - Ex-significant Other
  • Vance DeGeneres - Brother
  • Elliott DeGeneres - Father
  • Betty DeGeneres - Mother

    • Ellen DeGeneres Awards:
  • 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
  • 1996 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
  • 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
  • 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
  • 1995 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
  • 1996 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
  • 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
  • 1998 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
  • 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Made for Television Movie - Nominee
  • 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
  • 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
  • 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series - Winner
  • 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
  • 1995 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
  • 1996 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
  • 1998 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee

  • College:
  • Attended the University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Ellen DeGeneres Biography, TV Listings and More from TVGuide.com
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Ellen DeGeneres - The Beginning
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Ellen DeGeneres - Here and Now
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