Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ellen DeGeneres

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ellen DeGeneres made an impact.

Ellen DeGeneres is an American comedian, actress, television host, writer, and producer. She gained prominence starring in the sitcom *Ellen* (1994-1998) and later hosted the talk show *The Ellen DeGeneres Show* (2003-2022), which earned her 33 Daytime Emmy Awards. Her career encompasses various roles in the entertainment industry, establishing her as a well-known figure in comedy and television.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1996: DeGeneres Hosted Grammy Awards

In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.

1997: DeGeneres Hosted Grammy Awards

In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.

November 4, 2001: Hosting the Emmy Awards After 9/11

On November 4, 2001, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Emmy Awards. The broadcast, presented after cancellations due to the September 11 attacks, required a somber tone while providing viewers with a temporary escape from the tragedy. Her performance was well-received, including a line referencing the Taliban.

November 2004: DeGeneres Appears in American Express Ad Campaign

In November 2004, Ellen DeGeneres appeared, dancing, in an ad campaign for American Express.

August 2005: DeGeneres to Host 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards

In August 2005, it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres would host the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony.

September 18, 2005: Hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards after Hurricane Katrina

On September 18, 2005, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, three weeks after Hurricane Katrina. This marked the second time she hosted the Emmys following a national tragedy.

September 7, 2006: DeGeneres Selected to Host 79th Academy Awards

On September 7, 2006, Ellen DeGeneres was selected to host the 79th Academy Awards ceremony, making her the first openly gay person to host the event.

November 2006: New American Express Commercial Debuts

In November 2006, Ellen DeGeneres's new two-minute black-and-white American Express commercial, created by Ogilvy & Mather, debuted. It featured her working with animals.

February 25, 2007: DeGeneres Hosts 79th Academy Awards

On February 25, 2007, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the 79th Academy Awards ceremony. Her performance was positively received, with many praising her ability to entertain both the nominees and the audience at home.

2007: American Express Commercial Wins Emmy Award

In 2007, Ellen DeGeneres's American Express commercial won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Commercial.

September 2008: DeGeneres Begins Working with CoverGirl Cosmetics

In September 2008, Ellen DeGeneres began working with CoverGirl Cosmetics, leading to criticism due to the brand's animal testing practices conflicting with her animal-friendly values.

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January 2009: DeGeneres's Face Featured in CoverGirl Advertisements

In January 2009, Ellen DeGeneres's face became the focus of CoverGirl advertisements, marking her first beauty campaign.

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May 26, 2010: DeGeneres Announces Record Label "eleveneleven"

On May 26, 2010, Ellen DeGeneres announced on her show the launch of her own record label, "eleveneleven". The first act she signed was Greyson Chance.

2010: DeGeneres Serves as Campaign Ambassador for Farm Sanctuary

In 2010, Ellen DeGeneres served as campaign ambassador to Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project, encouraging people to adopt a turkey instead of eating one at Thanksgiving.

November 2011: Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness

In November 2011, Ellen DeGeneres was named a special envoy for Global AIDS Awareness by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

December 3, 2011: DeGeneres Headlines "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.

2012: DeGeneres Becomes Spokesperson for J. C. Penney

In 2012, Ellen DeGeneres became the spokesperson for J. C. Penney, participating in a tour and advertising campaign.

April 2013: DeGeneres Donates to Stop Anti-Whistleblower Legislation

In April 2013, Ellen DeGeneres donated $25,000 to stop anti-whistleblower agricultural gag legislation in Tennessee, aimed at preventing undercover investigators from recording 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 on March 2, 2014, for the second time.

March 2, 2014: DeGeneres Hosted the Academy Awards

On March 2, 2014, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Academy Awards for the second time.

October 24, 2014: E.D. on Air product line offered on QVC

On October 24, 2014, Ellen DeGeneres' line of home products, E.D. on Air, began being offered on QVC, a home shopping network.

2015: Launch of ED by Ellen Lifestyle Brand

In 2015, Ellen DeGeneres launched her lifestyle brand under the name ED by Ellen. Later, the brand name changed to ED Ellen DeGeneres.

February 2017: Launch of DeGeneres's Dog Collection at PetSmart

In February 2017, Ellen DeGeneres's dog collection at PetSmart was launched.

November 2017: Elephant Trophies Campaign

In November 2017, in response to President Donald Trump's decision to allow the importation of elephant trophies, Ellen DeGeneres launched a hashtag campaign in partnership with her brand, ED Ellen DeGeneres, to benefit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. She also created a T-shirt with proceeds going to the organization.

November 2017: ED by Ellen Brand Launches Collection to Benefit #BeKindToElephants Campaign

In November 2017, the ED by Ellen brand launched a collection featuring a tee and baby one piece to benefit DeGeneres's #BeKindToElephants campaign, donating 100% of the proceeds to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. A line of tees and footwear was also created to benefit the Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund.

January 2018: Gorilla Home in Rwanda

In January 2018, as a gift 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. This gift initiated a new branch of the Digit Fund known as the "Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund".

August 15, 2018: DeGeneres Partners with Walmart to Launch 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, positioned as a low-cost alternative to her ED Ellen DeGeneres product.

September 10, 2018: Official Launch of EV1 Fashion Collection

On September 10, 2018, the EV1 fashion collection, a partnership between Ellen DeGeneres and Walmart, officially launched.

2018: DeGeneres Confirms End of 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".

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September 2020: Executives Depart and Apology on The Ellen DeGeneres Show

In September 2020, as a result of the investigation into workplace issues at The Ellen DeGeneres Show, three executives departed. DeGeneres apologized again during the eighteenth season's opening, vowing to change the show's culture.

May 12, 2021: Ellen DeGeneres Announces End of Talk Show

On May 12, 2021, Ellen DeGeneres announced that she would end her talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, following the conclusion of its nineteenth season in 2022.

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May 26, 2022: Final Episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show Airs

On May 26, 2022, The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired its final episode. Jennifer Aniston, Pink, and Billie Eilish appeared as guests, while Portia de Rossi and DeGeneres's family were in the audience.

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