History of Ellen DeGeneres in Timeline
Ellen DeGeneres is an American former comedian, actress, television host, writer, and producer. She gained prominence in the 1990s with her sitcom "Ellen," known for its groundbreaking coming-out episode. From 2003 to 2022, she hosted the widely popular daytime talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which was known for its comedic segments, celebrity interviews, and charitable giveaways. The show received numerous Emmy Awards. While celebrated for her contributions to entertainment and LGBTQ+ visibility, DeGeneres's career has also faced controversy, particularly allegations of a toxic workplace environment on her talk show.
1925: Birth of Elliott Everett DeGeneres
In 1925, Elliott Everett DeGeneres, Ellen's father, was born.
1930: Birth of Elizabeth Jane
In 1930, Elizabeth Jane "Betty" (née Pfeffer), Ellen DeGeneres' mother, was born.
January 26, 1958: Ellen DeGeneres is born
On January 26, 1958, Ellen Lee DeGeneres was born. She is an American former comedian, actress, television host, writer, and producer.
1973: Parents File for Separation
In 1973, Ellen DeGeneres's parents filed for separation.
May 1976: Graduates from Atlanta High School
In May 1976, Ellen DeGeneres graduated from Atlanta High School.
1981: Emcees at Clyde's Comedy Club
In 1981, Ellen DeGeneres was the emcee at Clyde's Comedy Club in New Orleans.
1984: Named Showtime's Funniest Person in America
In 1984, Ellen DeGeneres was named Showtime's funniest person in America.
1986: Appearance on The Tonight Show
In 1986, Ellen DeGeneres gained national attention with an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson".
1989: First Regular TV Role in 'Open House'
In 1989, Ellen DeGeneres's first regular TV role was in "Open House", a Fox sitcom.
1992: Cast in 'Laurie Hill'
In 1992, Ellen DeGeneres was cast in the sitcom "Laurie Hill" as Nurse Nancy MacIntyre, which was canceled after four episodes.
1994: Stars in 'Ellen' sitcom
In 1994, Ellen DeGeneres starred in the television sitcom "Ellen".
September 15, 1996: Opening of Ellen's Energy Crisis
On September 15, 1996, Ellen's Energy Crisis first opened at Walt Disney World's Epcot, later renamed Ellen's Energy Adventure.
1996: Hosting the Grammy Awards
In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.
1996: Stars in 'Mr. Wrong'
In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres starred in the film "Mr. Wrong".
April 1997: Ellen Comes Out on Time Magazine
In April 1997, Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian on the cover of Time magazine, and her sitcom character also came out of the closet on "The Oprah Winfrey Show".
April 1997: Publicly Comes Out as Lesbian
In April 1997, Ellen DeGeneres publicly came out as a lesbian on the cover of Time magazine with the headline "Yep, I'm gay" and became the first openly gay lead character on an American network television show.
1997: Hosting the Grammy Awards
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards for a second time.
1997: DeGeneres Comes Out as Lesbian
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres publicly came out as a lesbian. This disclosure led to intense media interest, stunted her professional career, and caused her to be "mired in depression".
1997: Death of Roy Gruessendorf
Roy Gruessendorf, Ellen DeGeneres' stepfather who molested her, died in 1997.
1998: 'Ellen' sitcom ends
In 1998, the television sitcom "Ellen", starring Ellen DeGeneres, ended.
1999: Stars in 'EDtv' and 'The Love Letter'
In 1999, Ellen DeGeneres starred in the films "EDtv" and "The Love Letter".
August 2000: Relationship with Anne Heche Ends
In August 2000, Ellen DeGeneres's romantic relationship with actress Anne Heche, which began in 1997, came to an end.
2000: Releases 'The Beginning' stand-up special
In 2000, Ellen DeGeneres released "The Beginning", a stand-up special on HBO.
November 4, 2001: Hosting the Emmy Awards
On November 4, 2001, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the televised broadcast of the Emmy Awards, which were presented after two cancellations due to network concerns following the September 11 attacks. Her performance, which required a more somber tone, received several standing ovations.
2001: Returns to Television with 'The Ellen Show'
In 2001, Ellen DeGeneres returned to television with a new CBS sitcom, "The Ellen Show", which was canceled after 13 episodes.
2001: Stars in 'The Ellen Show' sitcom
In 2001, Ellen DeGeneres starred in "The Ellen Show", a television sitcom.
2002: 'The Ellen Show' sitcom ends
In 2002, the television sitcom "The Ellen Show", starring Ellen DeGeneres, ended.
September 2003: Launches 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'
In September 2003, Ellen DeGeneres launched her daytime television talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show".
2003: Hosts 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'
In 2003, Ellen DeGeneres began hosting "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", a syndicated television talk show.
2003: Releases 'Here and Now' stand-up special
In 2003, Ellen DeGeneres released "Here and Now", a stand-up special.
2003: Voices Dory in Finding Nemo
In 2003, Ellen DeGeneres voiced Dory in the Disney/Pixar film "Finding Nemo" and won multiple awards for her performance.
November 2004: Appeared in American Express Ad Campaign
In November 2004, Ellen DeGeneres appeared, dancing, in an ad campaign for American Express.
2004: Relationship with Alexandra Hedison ends
In 2004, Ellen DeGeneres's relationship with photographer Alexandra Hedison ended. The couple had appeared on the cover of The Advocate after their separation had already been announced to the media.
2004: Began relationship with Portia de Rossi
Since 2004, Ellen DeGeneres has been in a relationship with actress Portia de Rossi.
August 2005: Hosting the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards Announced
In August 2005, it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres would host the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, held on September 18, 2005.
September 18, 2005: Hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards
On September 18, 2005, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony. This was her second time hosting the Emmys following a national tragedy, three weeks after Hurricane Katrina.
February 2006: Class Reunion on Her Show
In February 2006, Ellen DeGeneres celebrated her thirty-year class reunion by flying her graduating class to California and presented Atlanta High School with a new LED sign.
May 2006: Surprise Appearance at Tulane University Commencement
In May 2006, Ellen DeGeneres made a surprise appearance at Tulane University's commencement in New Orleans, wearing a bathrobe and slippers.
September 7, 2006: Hosting the 79th Academy Awards Selected
On September 7, 2006, Ellen DeGeneres was chosen to host the 79th Academy Awards ceremony, marking her the first openly gay person to host the event.
November 2006: New American Express Commercial Debuted
In November 2006, Ellen DeGeneres's most recent American Express commercial, a two-minute black-and-white spot in which she works with animals, debuted. It was created by Ogilvy & Mather.
February 25, 2007: DeGeneres Hosts the 79th Academy Awards
On February 25, 2007, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the 79th Academy Awards ceremony, becoming the first openly gay person to host the event.
March 2007: Broadcasts from Universal Studios Orlando
In March 2007, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" broadcast for a week from Universal Studios Orlando.
May 2007: Hosts Show from Hospital Bed
In May 2007, Ellen DeGeneres hosted her show from a hospital bed due to a torn ligament in her back.
2007: Criticism from Former Writer
In 2007, a former writer claimed that Ellen DeGeneres treated the writers of "The Ellen Show" poorly.
2007: American Express Commercial Wins Emmy
In 2007, the American Express commercial featuring Ellen Degeneres won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Commercial.
August 2008: Marriage to Portia de Rossi
In August 2008, Ellen DeGeneres married actress Portia de Rossi at their home in Beverly Hills, California, following the overturn of the same-sex marriage ban in California.
September 2008: DeGeneres begins working with CoverGirl Cosmetics
In September 2008, Ellen DeGeneres began working with CoverGirl Cosmetics, leading to some criticism due to the brand's animal testing practices. This association contrasted with DeGeneres's own animal-friendly values.
November 4, 2008: Proposition 8 Casts Doubt on Marriage
On November 4, 2008, the passage of Proposition 8 in California raised questions about the legal status of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's marriage.
January 2009: Face of CoverGirl Advertisements
In January 2009, Ellen DeGeneres became the focus of CoverGirl advertisements, marking her first beauty campaign.
May 1, 2009: Celebrates 1000th Episode
On May 1, 2009, Ellen DeGeneres celebrated the 1000th episode of her show with celebrity guests.
2009: Commencement Speech at Tulane University
In 2009, Ellen DeGeneres made another commencement speech at Tulane University.
2009: PETA's Woman of the Year
In 2009, Ellen DeGeneres was named "Woman of the Year" by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for her advocacy.
February 9, 2010: American Idol Debut
On February 9, 2010, Ellen DeGeneres made her debut as a judge on "American Idol".
May 26, 2010: DeGeneres Starts Record Label "eleveneleven"
On May 26, 2010, Ellen DeGeneres announced on her show that she was starting her own record label entitled "eleveneleven". The first act she signed to the label was Greyson Chance.
July 29, 2010: Leaves American Idol
On July 29, 2010, Ellen DeGeneres announced that she would be leaving "American Idol" after one season.
September 23, 2010: De Rossi Granted Name Change
On September 23, 2010, Portia de Rossi's legal petition to change her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres was granted.
2010: Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project Ambassador
In 2010, Ellen DeGeneres served as campaign ambassador to Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project. She encouraged people to start a new tradition of adopting a turkey instead of eating one at Thanksgiving.
November 2011: Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness
In November 2011, Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, appointed Ellen DeGeneres as a special envoy for Global AIDS Awareness.
December 3, 2011: Headlined "Change Begins Within" Gala
On December 3, 2011, Ellen DeGeneres headlined the third annual "Change Begins Within" gala for the David Lynch Foundation, held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
2011: Attended Saints Practice Session
In 2011, Ellen DeGeneres attended a New Orleans Saints practice session dressed as Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Don Hutson.
2012: Obama's Tweet was surpassed by a Selfie
In 2012, Barack Obama held the retweet record for his presidential election victory until the selfie taken by Ellen Degeneres during the academy awards.
2012: Vegan Outreach Website
In 2012, the website for The Ellen DeGeneres Show contained a section called "Going Vegan with Ellen", in which Ellen DeGeneres promoted "Meatless Mondays" and featured vegan recipes.
2012: Spokesperson for J. C. Penney
In Spring 2012, Ellen DeGeneres became the spokesperson for J. C. Penney, participating in a tour and advertising campaign.
April 2013: Donation to Stop Anti-Whistleblower Legislation
In April 2013, Ellen DeGeneres donated $25,000 to stop anti-whistleblower agricultural gag legislation in Tennessee. This legislation would have prohibited undercover investigators from recording footage of animal abuse on farms.
August 2, 2013: DeGeneres to Host Academy Awards for Second Time
On August 2, 2013, it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres would host the Academy Awards for a second time on March 2, 2014.
March 2, 2014: DeGeneres Hosts the Academy Awards for Second Time
On March 2, 2014, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Academy Awards for the second time.
October 24, 2014: E.D. on Air Launched on QVC
On October 24, 2014, Ellen DeGeneres's line of home products, known as E.D., began being offered on QVC under the name E.D. on Air.
December 2015: 2,000th show celebration
In December 2015, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Timberlake surprised Ellen DeGeneres on her 2,000th show.
2015: Named One of the Most Powerful Women
In 2015, Ellen DeGeneres was named the 50th-most-powerful woman in the world by Forbes.
2015: ED by Ellen Lifestyle Brand Launched
In the summer of 2015, Ellen DeGeneres launched her lifestyle brand under the name ED by Ellen. After her initial collections, the brand name was changed to ED Ellen DeGeneres to incorporate the licensed arm of her brand. The collection includes apparel, shoe, accessory, pet, baby, and home items.
2016: Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2016, Ellen DeGeneres received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2016: Reprises Role in Finding Dory
In 2016, Ellen DeGeneres reprised her role as Dory in "Finding Dory", the sequel to "Finding Nemo".
2016: Re-introduced Fish into Diet
In 2016, Ellen DeGeneres stated that she had re-introduced fish into her diet, no longer adhering to a vegan lifestyle.
February 2017: DeGeneres's Dog Collection Launched at PetSmart
In February 2017, Ellen DeGeneres's dog collection under the ED Ellen DeGeneres brand was launched at PetSmart.
May 2017: Selfie is Fifth-Most Retweeted Tweet Ever
As of May 2017, the selfie orchestrated by Ellen DeGeneres during the 86th Academy Awards broadcast is the fifth-most retweeted tweet ever, with over 3.4 million retweets.
August 13, 2017: Closure of Ellen's Energy Adventure
On August 13, 2017, Ellen's Energy Adventure at Walt Disney World's Epcot closed permanently.
November 2017: #BeKindToElephants Collection Launched
In November 2017, Ellen DeGeneres's brand launched a collection to benefit her #BeKindToElephants campaign, featuring a tee and baby one-piece. One hundred percent of the proceeds were donated to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. DeGeneres also created a line with her brand to benefit the Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund, featuring tees and footwear to help gorillas.
November 2017: Elephant Trophy Importation Response
In November 2017, after President Donald Trump announced the allowance of elephant trophy importation from Africa, Ellen DeGeneres partnered with her brand, ED Ellen DeGeneres, to launch a hashtag campaign and donate to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. She also created a T-shirt, with proceeds going to the organization.
December 18, 2017: Preview of Ellen's Game of Games
On December 18, 2017, NBC previewed the game show "Ellen's Game of Games", hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.
January 2018: Gorilla Home Gift in Rwanda
In January 2018, for Ellen DeGeneres's 60th birthday, Portia de Rossi gifted her a permanent gorilla home in Rwanda, built in her name for the Digit Fund, as part of the "Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund".
August 15, 2018: Partnership with Walmart Announced for EV1 Fashion Collection
On August 15, 2018, it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres would partner with Walmart to launch a fashion collection under the brand name EV1, a low-cost alternative to her ED Ellen DeGeneres product.
September 10, 2018: EV1 Fashion Collection Officially Launched
On September 10, 2018, the EV1 fashion collection, a partnership between Ellen DeGeneres and Walmart, was officially launched.
2018: Appears in Netflix stand-up special 'Relatable'
In 2018, Ellen DeGeneres appeared in a Netflix stand-up special called "Relatable" after a 15-year hiatus from performing comedy.
2018: Ellen's Game of Games Season Begins
In 2018, Ellen DeGeneres began hosting the NBC game show "Ellen's Game of Games" during the 2017-2018 television season.
2018: Releases 'Relatable' stand-up special
In 2018, Ellen DeGeneres released "Relatable", a stand-up special on Netflix.
2018: Death of Elliott Everett DeGeneres
In 2018, Elliott Everett DeGeneres, Ellen's father, passed away.
2018: Profiled by The New York Times
In 2018, The New York Times profiled Ellen DeGeneres, noting her exploration of other creative outlets and feeling boxed in by her nice image.
2018: Confirmed Stopped Vegan Lifestyle
In her 2018 stand-up comedy special Relatable, Ellen DeGeneres confirmed that she had stopped following a vegan lifestyle "in the last year or two for no reason really".
July 2020: Investigation into The Ellen DeGeneres Show
In July 2020, Telepictures, a unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment, initiated an internal investigation into The Ellen DeGeneres Show following accusations of a toxic work environment. WarnerMedia's employee relations team and a third-party consultant conducted confidential interviews with current and former employees. DeGeneres issued a statement acknowledging the issues and vowing to "correct the issues" regarding the workplace culture on the show.
July 2020: Accusations of Toxic Workplace Environment
In July 2020, ten former employees of The Ellen DeGeneres Show accused DeGeneres of fostering a "toxic" on-set atmosphere characterized by "racism, fear, and intimidation." These allegations included failure to address sexual harassment of female employees by executives, "racist micro-aggressions and abuse" towards employees of color, firings for taking medical or bereavement leave, and replacing crew members with non-union workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2020: Executives Leave The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Following an investigation into the work environment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, three executives (Kevin A. Leman II, Ed Glavin, and Jonathon Norman) departed in September 2020. The show pledged to implement changes to improve the culture, and DeGeneres issued another apology during the eighteenth season's opening.
2020: Receives Carol Burnett Award
In 2020, Ellen DeGeneres received the Carol Burnett Award for her contributions to television.
2020: Estimated Earnings
In 2020, Forbes estimated Ellen DeGeneres's earnings at US$84 million.
May 12, 2021: DeGeneres Announces End of Talk Show
On May 12, 2021, Ellen DeGeneres announced that she would conclude her talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, after its nineteenth season in 2022.
May 2021: Ellen's Game of Games Ends
In May 2021, "Ellen's Game of Games" ended after four seasons.
2021: End of 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' Announced
In 2021, Ellen DeGeneres announced the end of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" following allegations of workplace bullying.
January 2022: Cancellation Announced for Ellen's Game of Games
In January 2022, the cancellation of "Ellen's Game of Games" was announced.
May 26, 2022: Final Episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show Aired
On May 26, 2022, The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired its final episode. The episode featured Jennifer Aniston, Pink, and Billie Eilish as guests, with Portia de Rossi and other family members in the audience.
2022: 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' Ends
In 2022, Ellen DeGeneres retired from "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" after a sharp decline in public support due to bullying allegations.
November 2023: Social Media Following in November 2023
As of November 2023, Ellen DeGeneres had 75 million followers on Twitter and 139 million followers on Instagram.
July 2024: DeGeneres Reflects on Show Business Exit
In July 2024, Ellen DeGeneres reflected on the controversies surrounding her talk show, stating that she felt she "got kicked out of show business for being mean." She also indicated that she would leave show business for good after completing existing contractual obligations.
August 2024: Property Sale in Carpinteria
In August 2024, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi sold a property in Carpinteria, California, for $96 million.
September 2024: Releases 'For Your Approval' on Netflix
In September 2024, Ellen DeGeneres released another stand-up special, "For Your Approval", on Netflix.
November 2024: Relocation to the Cotswolds
In November 2024, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi relocated from their home in Montecito, California, to the Cotswolds region of England, reportedly due to Donald Trump's re-election as president.
2024: Releases 'For Your Approval' stand-up special
In 2024, Ellen DeGeneres released "For Your Approval", a stand-up special on Netflix.
May 2025: Listed in Sunday Times Rich List
In May 2025, Ellen DeGeneres was listed in the Sunday Times Rich List with a net worth of £363 million.
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