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 fame starring in the sitcom "Ellen" (1994–1998) and later hosted the talk show "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (2003–2022), earning 33 Daytime Emmy Awards. DeGeneres has been a prominent figure in entertainment.
In 1981, Ellen DeGeneres became the emcee at Clyde's Comedy Club in New Orleans, marking an early step in her comedy career.
In 1984, Ellen DeGeneres was named Showtime's "Funniest Person in America," marking a significant achievement early in her comedy career.
In 1986, Ellen DeGeneres appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, a significant milestone in her early stand-up comedy career.
In 1989, Ellen DeGeneres had her first regular TV role in the Fox sitcom Open House, where she played Margo Van Meter.
In 1992, Ellen DeGeneres was cast in the sitcom Laurie Hill as Nurse Nancy MacIntyre, though the series was canceled after four episodes.
On September 15, 1996, the Ellen's Energy Crisis ride, later renamed Ellen's Energy Adventure, first opened at Walt Disney World's Epcot.
In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.
In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.
In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres starred in Mr. Wrong.
In April 1997, Ellen DeGeneres publicly came out as a lesbian on the cover of Time magazine with the headline "Yep, I'm Gay," a pivotal moment in her career and LGBTQ+ representation in media.
In April 1997, Ellen DeGeneres publicly came out as a lesbian on the cover of Time with the words, "Yep, I'm Gay" and became the first openly gay lead character on an American network television show.
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.
In 1999, Ellen DeGeneres starred in EDtv and The Love Letter.
In 2000, Ellen DeGeneres released her HBO stand-up comedy special "The Beginning."
On November 4, 2001, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the televised broadcast of the Emmy Awards, which was presented after cancellations due to the September 11 attacks. DeGeneres received standing ovations for her performance.
In 2001, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards.
In 2001, Ellen DeGeneres returned to television with a new CBS sitcom, "The Ellen Show,", which was later cancelled after 13 episodes.
In September 2003, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" was launched, quickly rising in ratings and receiving critical praise.
In 2003, Ellen DeGeneres provided the voice of Dory in the Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo. For her performance, she won several awards, including a Saturn Award.
In 2003, Ellen DeGeneres released her HBO stand-up comedy special "Here and Now".
In November 2004, DeGeneres appeared in an ad campaign for American Express, dancing.
In August 2005, it was announced that DeGeneres would host the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony.
On September 18, 2005, DeGeneres hosted the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, held three weeks after Hurricane Katrina. This marked the second time she hosted the Emmys following a national tragedy.
In 2005, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards.
In February 2006, Ellen DeGeneres celebrated her thirty-year class reunion by flying her graduating class to California to be guests on her show and surprising Atlanta High School with a new LED sign.
In May 2006, Ellen DeGeneres made a surprise appearance at Tulane University's commencement in New Orleans.
On September 7, 2006, DeGeneres was chosen to host the 79th Academy Awards ceremony.
In November 2006, DeGeneres's most recent American Express commercial, a two-minute black-and-white spot in which she works with animals, debuted.
On February 25, 2007, DeGeneres hosted the 79th Academy Awards ceremony, becoming the first openly gay person to host the event. Reviews of her performance were positive.
In March 2007, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" broadcast for a week from Universal Studios Orlando, featuring skits with DeGeneres on various rides.
In May 2007, Ellen DeGeneres was placed on bed rest due to a torn ligament in her back but continued hosting her show from a hospital bed.
In 2007, DeGeneres's American Express commercial won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Commercial.
In 2007, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Academy Awards.
In September 2008, DeGeneres began working with CoverGirl Cosmetics, facing criticism due to conflicting values regarding animal testing.
In January 2009, DeGeneres's face became the focus of CoverGirl advertisements as part of her beauty campaign.
On May 1, 2009, Ellen DeGeneres celebrated her 1000th episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" with celebrity guests.
In 2009, Ellen DeGeneres delivered another commencement speech at Tulane University.
In 2009, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) named Ellen DeGeneres their "Woman of the Year".
On February 9, 2010, Ellen DeGeneres made her debut as a judge on the ninth season of "American Idol".
On May 26, 2010, DeGeneres announced the launch of her own record label entitled "eleveneleven". She signed Greyson Chance as her first act.
On July 29, 2010, it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres would be leaving "American Idol" after one season.
In 2010, Ellen DeGeneres served as a judge on the ninth season of the Fox competition show American Idol.
In 2010, Ellen DeGeneres served as campaign ambassador to Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project, asking people to start "a new tradition by adopting a turkey instead of eating one" at Thanksgiving.
In November 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton named Ellen DeGeneres a special envoy for Global AIDS Awareness.
On December 3, 2011, DeGeneres headlined the third annual "Change Begins Within" gala for the David Lynch Foundation.
In 2012, The Ellen DeGeneres Show website promoted "Meatless Mondays" and featured vegan recipes in the section called "Going Vegan with Ellen".
In spring 2012, DeGeneres became the spokesperson for J. C. Penney, participating in a tour and advertising campaign.
In April 2013, Ellen DeGeneres donated $25,000 to stop anti-whistleblower agricultural gag legislation in Tennessee, which would prohibit undercover investigators from recording footage of animal abuse on farms.
On August 2, 2013, it was announced that DeGeneres would host the Academy Awards for the second time on March 2, 2014.
On March 2, 2014, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Academy Awards for the second time.
On October 24, 2014, Ellen DeGeneres's line of home products, E.D. on Air, began being offered on QVC.
In 2014, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Academy Awards.
In December 2015, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Timberlake surprised Ellen DeGeneres on her 2,000th show.
In the Summer of 2015, Ellen DeGeneres launched her lifestyle brand under the name ED by Ellen.
In 2016, Ellen DeGeneres reprised her role as Dory in Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo.
In February 2017, DeGeneres's dog collection at PetSmart was launched.
On August 13, 2017, the Ellen's Energy Adventure ride at Walt Disney World's Epcot closed permanently.
In November 2017, in response to President Donald Trump allowing elephant trophy imports, Ellen DeGeneres launched a campaign with her brand to donate to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
In November 2017, the brand launched a collection to benefit DeGeneres's #BeKindToElephants campaign, donating 100% of the proceeds to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
On December 18, 2017, Ellen's Game of Games previewed on NBC.
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, part of the "Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund".
On August 15, 2018, it was announced that DeGeneres would partner with Walmart to launch a fashion collection under the brand name EV1.
On September 4, 2018, TCL announced its extension as the Official TV of The Ellen DeGeneres Show for a fifth consecutive season.
On September 10, 2018, The fashion collection, EV1, a collaboration between Ellen DeGeneres and Walmart, officially launched.
In 2018, Ellen DeGeneres released a Netflix stand-up special, Relatable, after a 15-year hiatus from performing comedy.
In 2018, Ellen DeGeneres released her Netflix stand-up special "Relatable".
In 2018, Ellen's Game of Games started broadcasting.
In 2018, The New York Times profiled Ellen DeGeneres, highlighting her exploration of other creative outlets and her concerns about being boxed in by her "nice" image.
On May 12, 2021, Ellen DeGeneres announced she would end her talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", following the conclusion of its nineteenth season in 2022.
In May 2021, Ellen's Game of Games aired for the last time.
In January 2022, Ellen's Game of Games was announced to be cancelled.
On May 26, 2022, the final episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" aired, featuring Jennifer Aniston, Pink, and Billie Eilish as guests.
In July 2024, DeGeneres stated she felt she "got kicked out of show business for being mean." She announced she would retire from show business entirely after contractual obligations ended, preceding her final standup special, "For Your Approval."
In September 2024, Ellen DeGeneres released another stand-up special, For Your Approval, through Netflix.
In 2024, Ellen DeGeneres released her Netflix stand-up special "For Your Approval".