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. Rising from stand-up comedy, she gained fame through appearances on The Tonight Show and starred in sitcoms like Ellen. Her syndicated talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, ran from 2003 to 2022, earning her numerous Daytime Emmy Awards. However, the show concluded after allegations of a toxic work environment and workplace bullying emerged, leading to internal investigations and a decline in public opinion. In 2021, DeGeneres announced the show's end, effectively retiring from the talk show in 2022.

Sections (4)

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

1996: DeGeneres hosts the Grammy Awards

In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.

1997: DeGeneres hosts the Grammy Awards

In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.

November 4, 2001: DeGeneres hosts the Emmy Awards

On November 4, 2001, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the televised broadcast of the Emmy Awards. The show, presented after cancellations due to the September 11 attacks, required a somber tone. DeGeneres received standing ovations for her performance, including a memorable line about 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.

September 18, 2005: DeGeneres hosts the Primetime Emmy Awards

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

September 7, 2006: DeGeneres to Host the 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 American Express commercial, a black-and-white spot featuring her working with animals, debuted.

February 25, 2007: DeGeneres hosts the 79th Academy Awards

On February 25, 2007, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the 79th Academy Awards ceremony. She made remarks about diversity and received positive reviews for her performance.

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 conflicts with her animal-friendly values and Procter & Gamble's animal testing practices.

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January 2009: DeGeneres is the face of 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 starts her own record label, eleveneleven

On May 26, 2010, Ellen DeGeneres announced on her show that she was starting her own record label entitled "eleveneleven". She explained that she found Greyson Chance on the 11th and signed him as her first act.

2010: DeGeneres promotes Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project

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: DeGeneres named special envoy for Global AIDS Awareness

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

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 Spring 2012, Ellen DeGeneres became the spokesperson for J. C. Penney 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, which would prohibit 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 on March 2, 2014, for the second time.

March 2, 2014: DeGeneres hosts the Academy Awards

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

October 24, 2014: E.D. on Air Line of products on QVC

On October 24, 2014, Ellen DeGeneres's line of home products, initialized as E.D., for Ellen DeGeneres, began being offered on QVC under the name E.D. on Air.

2015: DeGeneres launches lifestyle brand ED by Ellen

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

February 2017: DeGeneres launches dog collection at PetSmart

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

November 2017: DeGeneres responds to elephant trophy import policy

In November 2017, following President Donald Trump's announcement to allow the importation of elephant trophies from Africa, Ellen DeGeneres created a hashtag campaign and T-shirt to donate to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in partnership with her brand, ED Ellen DeGeneres.

August 15, 2018: DeGeneres partners with Walmart to launch EV1

On August 15, 2018, it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres would partner with Walmart to launch a fashion collection under the brand name EV1.

September 10, 2018: EV1 collection officially launched

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

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

Following an investigation, in September 2020, three executives (Kevin A. Leman II, Ed Glavin, and Jonathon Norman) left The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen DeGeneres apologized during the eighteenth season's opening, promising to change the culture of the show.

May 12, 2021: DeGeneres announces the end of her 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

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

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July 2025: Future Work Options Considered

In July 2025, during an appearance in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Ellen DeGeneres ruled out reviving her former talk show for a British audience. However, she mentioned that she was considering future work options, expressing a desire for fun and new challenges.