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 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.
1981: Emcee at Clyde's Comedy Club
In 1981, Ellen DeGeneres became the emcee at Clyde's Comedy Club in New Orleans, marking an early step in her comedy career.
1984: Funniest Person in America
In 1984, Ellen DeGeneres was named Showtime's "Funniest Person in America," marking a significant achievement early in her comedy career.
1986: Appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
In 1986, Ellen DeGeneres appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, a significant milestone in her early stand-up comedy career.
1989: First Regular TV Role
In 1989, Ellen DeGeneres had her first regular TV role in the Fox sitcom Open House, where she played Margo Van Meter.
1992: Role in Laurie Hill
In 1992, Ellen DeGeneres was cast in the sitcom Laurie Hill as Nurse Nancy MacIntyre, though the series was canceled after four episodes.
September 15, 1996: Ellen's Energy Crisis ride opened
On September 15, 1996, the Ellen's Energy Crisis ride, later renamed Ellen's Energy Adventure, first opened at Walt Disney World's Epcot.
1996: DeGeneres Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.
1996: Hosting the Grammy Awards
In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.
1996: Starred in Mr. Wrong
In 1996, Ellen DeGeneres starred in Mr. Wrong.
April 1997: Coming Out on Time Magazine Cover
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.
April 1997: Publicly Came Out as Lesbian
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.
1997: DeGeneres Hosted the Grammy Awards
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.
1997: Hosting the Grammy Awards
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards.
1999: Starred in EDtv and The Love Letter
In 1999, Ellen DeGeneres starred in EDtv and The Love Letter.
2000: Release of HBO Special The Beginning
In 2000, Ellen DeGeneres released her HBO stand-up comedy special "The Beginning."
November 4, 2001: Ellen DeGeneres Hosts the Emmy Awards
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.
2001: Hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2001, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards.
2001: The Ellen Show Debut
In 2001, Ellen DeGeneres returned to television with a new CBS sitcom, "The Ellen Show,", which was later cancelled after 13 episodes.
September 2003: The Ellen DeGeneres Show Launched
In September 2003, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" was launched, quickly rising in ratings and receiving critical praise.
2003: Voiced Dory in Finding Nemo
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.
2003: Release of HBO Special Here and Now
In 2003, Ellen DeGeneres released her HBO stand-up comedy special "Here and Now".
November 2004: DeGeneres Appears in American Express Ad Campaign
In November 2004, DeGeneres appeared in an ad campaign for American Express, dancing.
August 2005: DeGeneres to Host the Primetime Emmy Awards
In August 2005, it was announced that DeGeneres would host the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony.
September 18, 2005: DeGeneres Hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards
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.
2005: Hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2005, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards.
February 2006: Class Reunion on The Ellen Show
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.
May 2006: Commencement Speech at Tulane University
In May 2006, Ellen DeGeneres made a surprise appearance at Tulane University's commencement in New Orleans.
September 7, 2006: DeGeneres Selected to Host the Academy Awards
On September 7, 2006, DeGeneres was chosen to host the 79th Academy Awards ceremony.
November 2006: New American Express Commercial Debuts
In November 2006, DeGeneres's most recent American Express commercial, a two-minute black-and-white spot in which she works with animals, debuted.
February 25, 2007: DeGeneres Hosts the Academy Awards
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.
March 2007: Broadcast Week from Universal Studios Orlando
In March 2007, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" broadcast for a week from Universal Studios Orlando, featuring skits with DeGeneres on various rides.
May 2007: Bed Rest and Show Hosting
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.
2007: American Express Commercial Wins Emmy Award
In 2007, DeGeneres's American Express commercial won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Commercial.
2007: Hosting the Academy Awards
In 2007, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Academy Awards.
September 2008: DeGeneres Begins Working with CoverGirl Cosmetics
In September 2008, DeGeneres began working with CoverGirl Cosmetics, facing criticism due to conflicting values regarding animal testing.
January 2009: DeGeneres's Face Becomes Focus of CoverGirl Ads
In January 2009, DeGeneres's face became the focus of CoverGirl advertisements as part of her beauty campaign.
May 1, 2009: 1000th Episode Celebration
On May 1, 2009, Ellen DeGeneres celebrated her 1000th episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" with celebrity guests.
2009: Commencement Speech at Tulane University
In 2009, Ellen DeGeneres delivered another commencement speech at Tulane University.
2009: PETA Names DeGeneres "Woman of the Year"
In 2009, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) named Ellen DeGeneres their "Woman of the Year".
February 9, 2010: American Idol Debut
On February 9, 2010, Ellen DeGeneres made her debut as a judge on the ninth season of "American Idol".
May 26, 2010: DeGeneres Announces Record Label "eleveneleven"
On May 26, 2010, DeGeneres announced the launch of her own record label entitled "eleveneleven". She signed Greyson Chance as her first act.
July 29, 2010: Departure from American Idol
On July 29, 2010, it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres would be leaving "American Idol" after one season.
2010: Judge on American Idol
In 2010, Ellen DeGeneres served as a judge on the ninth season of the Fox competition show American Idol.
2010: DeGeneres Serves as Campaign Ambassador to Farm Sanctuary's Project
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.
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 Gala for David Lynch Foundation
On December 3, 2011, DeGeneres headlined the third annual "Change Begins Within" gala for the David Lynch Foundation.
2012: Ellen Promotes Veganism on Her Show
In 2012, The Ellen DeGeneres Show website promoted "Meatless Mondays" and featured vegan recipes in the section called "Going Vegan with Ellen".
2012: DeGeneres Becomes Spokesperson for J. C. Penney
In spring 2012, 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, which would prohibit undercover investigators from recording footage of animal abuse on farms.
August 2, 2013: DeGeneres to Host Academy Awards for the Second Time
On August 2, 2013, it was announced that DeGeneres would host the Academy Awards for the second time on March 2, 2014.
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 Product Line Launched on QVC
On October 24, 2014, Ellen DeGeneres's line of home products, E.D. on Air, began being offered on QVC.
2014: Hosting the Academy Awards
In 2014, Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Academy Awards.
December 2015: 2000th Show Celebration
In December 2015, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Timberlake surprised Ellen DeGeneres on her 2,000th show.
2015: Ellen Launches Lifestyle Brand ED by Ellen
In the Summer of 2015, Ellen DeGeneres launched her lifestyle brand under the name ED by Ellen.
2016: Reprised Role in Finding Dory
In 2016, Ellen DeGeneres reprised her role as Dory in Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo.
February 2017: DeGeneres's Dog Collection at PetSmart Launched
In February 2017, DeGeneres's dog collection at PetSmart was launched.
August 13, 2017: Ellen's Energy Adventure ride closed
On August 13, 2017, the Ellen's Energy Adventure ride at Walt Disney World's Epcot closed permanently.
November 2017: DeGeneres Campaigns Against Elephant Trophy Imports
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.
November 2017: ED Ellen DeGeneres Collection Benefits #BeKindToElephants Campaign
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.
December 18, 2017: Ellen's Game of Games Preview
On December 18, 2017, Ellen's Game of Games previewed on NBC.
January 2018: de Rossi Gifts Gorilla Home to DeGeneres for 60th Birthday
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".
August 15, 2018: DeGeneres Partners with Walmart for EV1 Fashion Collection
On August 15, 2018, it was announced that DeGeneres would partner with Walmart to launch a fashion collection under the brand name EV1.
September 4, 2018: TCL Extends Partnership
On September 4, 2018, TCL announced its extension as the Official TV of The Ellen DeGeneres Show for a fifth consecutive season.
September 10, 2018: Fashion Collection EV1 Launches
On September 10, 2018, The fashion collection, EV1, a collaboration between Ellen DeGeneres and Walmart, officially launched.
2018: Netflix Stand-Up Special Relatable
In 2018, Ellen DeGeneres released a Netflix stand-up special, Relatable, after a 15-year hiatus from performing comedy.
2018: Release of Netflix Special Relatable
In 2018, Ellen DeGeneres released her Netflix stand-up special "Relatable".
2018: Ellen's Game of Games Broadcast
In 2018, Ellen's Game of Games started broadcasting.
2018: Profile in The New York Times
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.
May 12, 2021: Ellen DeGeneres Announces End of Talk Show
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.
May 2021: Ellen's Game of Games End
In May 2021, Ellen's Game of Games aired for the last time.
January 2022: Ellen's Game of Games Cancellation
In January 2022, Ellen's Game of Games was announced to be cancelled.
May 26, 2022: Final Episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Airs
On May 26, 2022, the final episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" aired, featuring Jennifer Aniston, Pink, and Billie Eilish as guests.
July 2024: DeGeneres Reflects on Career Challenges
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."
September 2024: Release of Netflix Special For Your Approval
In September 2024, Ellen DeGeneres released another stand-up special, For Your Approval, through Netflix.
2024: Release of Netflix Special For Your Approval
In 2024, Ellen DeGeneres released her Netflix stand-up special "For Your Approval".
