Career Timeline of Chelsea Handler: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Chelsea Handler built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Chelsea Handler is an American comedian, actress, writer, television host, and producer known for her sharp wit and observational humor. She gained prominence as the host of the late-night talk show *Chelsea Lately* on E! from 2007 to 2014. Following this, she created and starred in the Netflix documentary series *Chelsea Does* and hosted the talk show *Chelsea* on the same platform. Handler's career spans various facets of entertainment, establishing her as a recognizable figure in comedy and television.
1994: Roseanne Barr Hosted VMAs
In 1994, Roseanne Barr was the sole woman to host the VMAs before Chelsea Handler hosted them.
2002: Girls Behaving Badly
In 2002, Chelsea Handler became a member of the all-female cast of Oxygen's hidden camera reality television series "Girls Behaving Badly".
2005: My Horizontal Life Release
In 2005, Chelsea Handler's first book "My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands" was released.
2005: End of Girls Behaving Badly
In 2005, Chelsea Handler's show on Oxygen, "Girls Behaving Badly" ended.
April 2006: The Chelsea Handler Show Debut
In April 2006, Chelsea Handler began hosting "The Chelsea Handler Show" on E!.
July 2007: Chelsea Lately Premiere
In July 2007, Chelsea Handler began starring in her own half-hour late-night comedy series on E! titled "Chelsea Lately".
August 2, 2007: The View Appearance
On August 2, 2007, Chelsea Handler co-hosted "The View".
2007: In the Motherhood
In 2007, Chelsea Handler appeared in the Internet-based program "In the Motherhood" with Leah Remini and Jenny McCarthy.
2007: Chelsea Lately Debut
In 2007, Chelsea Handler began hosting the late-night talk show "Chelsea Lately" on the E! network.
January 2008: In the Motherhood Appearance
In January 2008, Chelsea Handler was still acting on the Internet-based program "In the Motherhood".
May 11, 2008: Are You There, Vodka? #1 Bestseller
On May 11, 2008, Chelsea Handler's second book, "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea", hit the top of The New York Times Nonfiction Best Seller List.
September 5, 2008: The View Appearance
On September 5, 2008, Chelsea Handler co-hosted "The View".
September 8, 2008: ABC turns In the Motherhood into a series
On September 8, 2008, it was announced that ABC would be turning "In The Motherhood" into a series starring Jessica St. Clair, Megan Mullally, and Cheryl Hines.
2008: Chelsea Lately Success
In 2008, Chelsea Handler stated how the worse the guests are, the funnier the show is for Chelsea Lately.
May 2009: GLAAD Media Awards Host
In May 2009, Chelsea Handler was the host of the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco.
June 2009: Grand Marshal of LA Pride
In June 2009, Chelsea Handler was named as Grand Marshal of the 2009 Los Angeles Pride celebration for her visible and vocal support of equality.
2009: Nude Pose for Allure Magazine
In 2009, Chelsea Handler posed nude for the May issue of Allure magazine, generating attention and discussion.
March 9, 2010: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang Release
On March 9, 2010, Chelsea Handler released her third book, "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang".
March 21, 2010: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang #1 Bestseller
On March 21, 2010, "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang" hit Number 1 on The New York Times Nonfiction Hardback Bestseller list.
April 2010: Featured on Shape Cover
In April 2010, Chelsea Handler was featured on the cover of Shape magazine, highlighting her image and brand.
July 2010: "I Am Equal" Project
In July 2010, Chelsea Handler took part in the "I Am Equal" photo documentary project in memory of her mother, Rita, during a tour stop in Salt Lake City.
August 18, 2010: MTV VMA Host Announcement
On August 18, 2010, it was announced that Chelsea Handler would host the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).
September 12, 2010: Hosted MTV Video Music Awards
On September 12, 2010, Chelsea Handler hosted the MTV Video Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
November 15, 2010: Publishing Imprint Announcement
On November 15, 2010, it was announced that Chelsea Handler's publishers gave her her own publishing imprint, Borderline Amazing/A Chelsea Handler Book.
2010: Pretty Wild Producer
In 2010, Chelsea Handler and Tom Brunelle became producers of "Pretty Wild", a reality series centered on the lives of the Neiers sisters.
March 6, 2011: After Lately Debut
On March 6, 2011, "After Lately", a mockumentary spinoff of "Chelsea Lately", debuted on E!.
May 2011: Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me Release
In May 2011, Chelsea Handler released "Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me" which also hit the top of the bestseller list.
June 2011: Featured on The Hollywood Reporter Cover
In June 2011, Chelsea Handler was featured on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter.
2011: New York Times Interview: Abortion at Sixteen
In a 2011 interview with The New York Times, Chelsea Handler revealed she had an abortion at age sixteen, explaining her decision and advocating for honesty about such experiences.
March 2012: Featured on Redbook Cover
In March 2012, Chelsea Handler appeared on the cover of Redbook magazine.
March 2012: Human Rights Campaign Gala Host
In March 2012, Chelsea Handler hosted the Human Rights Campaign Gala in Los Angeles.
March 28, 2012: Are You There, Chelsea? Finale
On March 28, 2012, the NBC sitcom "Are You There, Chelsea?" aired its final episode.
May 11, 2012: Are You There, Chelsea? Cancelled
On May 11, 2012, NBC canceled "Are You There, Chelsea?" after only one season.
September 2012: Featured on Marie Claire Cover
In September 2012, Chelsea Handler was featured on the cover of Marie Claire magazine.
November 2012: Love You, Mean It With Whitney Cummings Debut
In November 2012, Chelsea Handler became executive producer through Borderline Amazing for a weekly half-hour talk show on E! hosted by Whitney Cummings, titled "Love You, Mean It With Whitney Cummings".
February 2013: Love You, Mean It With Whitney Cummings Cancellation
In February 2013, Chelsea Handler's show as executive producer for "Love You, Mean It With Whitney Cummings" was cancelled after four months.
August 26, 2014: Chelsea Lately Finale
On August 26, 2014, the final episode of "Chelsea Lately" aired after more than 1,000 episodes.
October 2014: Uganda Be Kidding Me: Live Release
In October 2014, Chelsea Handler's stand-up show, "Uganda Be Kidding Me: Live", was released on Netflix.
2014: Unspeakable Optioned
In 2014, Chelsea Handler optioned Meghan Daum's book, "The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects Of Discussion" at Working Title Television.
2014: End of Chelsea Lately
In 2014, Chelsea Handler's show "Chelsea Lately" concluded its run on E! network.
2014: Hello Ross Cancellation
In 2014, Chelsea Handler's show "Hello Ross" was cancelled after two seasons.
June 2015: The Josh Wolf Show Debut
In June 2015, Chelsea Handler produced Josh Wolf's "The Josh Wolf Show", which debuted on CMT.
2015: Comedy Fundraiser in Israel
In 2015, Chelsea Handler headlined a comedy fundraiser in Israel, benefiting the Tal Center at the Oncology Institute of Sheba Hospital, and interviewed former Israeli President Shimon Peres.
January 2016: Chelsea Does Documentary Release
In January 2016, Chelsea Handler released a documentary series, "Chelsea Does", on Netflix.
May 2016: Chelsea Talk Show Premiere
In May 2016, Chelsea Handler began presenting her new Netflix original comedy talk show "Chelsea".
2016: The Josh Wolf Show Cancellation
In 2016, "The Josh Wolf Show" which Chelsea Handler produced, was cancelled.
2016: Playboy Interview: Second Abortion
In a 2016 interview with Playboy magazine, Chelsea Handler revealed she had a second abortion when she was sixteen, adding to her previous discussion with The New York Times.
October 2017: Chelsea Talk Show Conclusion
In October 2017, Chelsea Handler announced that her Netflix show "Chelsea" would be concluding after its second season, as she wished to focus on activism.
November 2017: Unspeakable Development
In November 2017, Hulu began developing "Unspeakable", a new dramedy based on Meghan Daum's 2014 book, with Chelsea Handler as executive producer.
2017: End of Chelsea Talk Show
In 2017, Chelsea Handler's talk show "Chelsea" on Netflix concluded.
March 2018: NBCUniversal First-Look Deal
In March 2018, Chelsea Handler signed a multi-year first-look deal with NBCUniversal, where she would develop programming for Universal Television and Universal Television Alternate Studio.
August 2018: Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea Announcement
In August 2018, Handler revealed she had begun working on a documentary for Netflix examining the concept of white privilege titled, "Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea".
February 2019: Marvel's Tigra & Dazzler Show Announcement
In February 2019, Chelsea Handler was announced to produce Marvel's Tigra & Dazzler Show, together with Jeph Loeb and Erica Rivinoja.
April 2019: Life Will Be the Death of Me Release
In April 2019, Chelsea Handler published her first memoir, "Life Will Be the Death of Me", which reached the top spot on The New York Times Bestsellers List.
September 2019: Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea Release
In September 2019, Chelsea Handler released "Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea" documentary on Netflix.
September 2019: Life Will Be the Death of Me Television Series
In September 2019, Universal TV acquired the rights to adapt Chelsea Handler's book, "Life Will Be the Death of Me" into a television series.
December 2019: Tigra & Dazzler Writers Depart
In December 2019, the writers of Marvel's Tigra & Dazzler Show departed the project after creative differences, leaving Chelsea Handler and Loeb remaining on the production team.
January 2020: Tigra & Dazzler Scrapped
In January 2020, Marvel Studios scrapped the "Marvel's Tigra & Dazzler Show" that Chelsea Handler was producing.
May 2020: HBO Max Stand-Up Special
In May 2020, Handler announced she will produce and star in a stand-up special for WarnerMedia's HBO Max.
September 2020: Comedy Sales to HBO Max and Peacock
In September 2020, Handler executive produced and sold two comedies she developed at Universal: Blair, sold to HBO Max, and Wiped Out, sold to Peacock.
September 2024: Signed Letter Calling for Hostage Release and Support for Israel
In September 2024, Chelsea Handler signed a letter with 62 artists calling for President Biden and Vice President Harris to pressure terrorists to release hostages and to support Israel during the war.
