History of Ellen DeGeneres in Timeline
Ellen DeGeneres is a multi-talented American entertainer known for her work as a comedian, talk show host, actress, and writer. She gained recognition for her sitcom "Ellen" (1994-1998), winning an Emmy Award for her performance. However, her most significant success came with "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (2003-2022), a highly acclaimed talk show that earned her numerous awards and widespread recognition for its humor and impactful interviews.
1925: Ellen's father, Elliott Everett DeGeneres, is born
In 1925, Ellen DeGeneres's father, Elliott Everett DeGeneres, was born.
1930: Ellen's mother, Betty Jane Pfeffer, is born
In 1930, Ellen DeGeneres's mother, Betty Jane Pfeffer, was born.
January 26, 1958: Ellen DeGeneres is born
On January 26, 1958, Ellen DeGeneres was born in Metairie, Louisiana.
1973: Ellen's parents file for separation
In 1973, Ellen DeGeneres's parents filed for separation.
May 1976: Graduates from Atlanta High School
Ellen DeGeneres graduated from Atlanta High School in May 1976.
1981: Becomes emcee at Clyde's Comedy Club
In 1981, Ellen DeGeneres became the emcee at Clyde's Comedy Club in New Orleans.
1984: Named Showtime's funniest person in America
In 1984, Ellen DeGeneres earned the title of Showtime's funniest person in America.
1986: Appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson"
In 1986, Ellen DeGeneres made a notable appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson".
1992: Cast in "Laurie Hill"
Ellen DeGeneres was cast in the sitcom "Laurie Hill" in 1992.
1994: "Ellen" sitcom premieres
In 1994, Ellen DeGeneres's sitcom, "Ellen", premiered.
September 15, 1996: "Ellen's Energy Adventure" opens at Epcot
"Ellen's Energy Adventure," an attraction featuring Ellen DeGeneres, opened at Walt Disney World's Epcot on September 15, 1996.
1996: DeGeneres Hosts Grammy Awards
Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards in 1996.
1996: Stars in "Mr. Wrong"
Ellen DeGeneres starred in the romantic comedy "Mr. Wrong" in 1996.
April 1997: "The Puppy Episode" of "Ellen" airs
In April 1997, "The Puppy Episode" of "Ellen" aired, featuring Ellen DeGeneres's character coming out as a lesbian. This episode became a cultural phenomenon and a significant moment in television history.
1997: DeGeneres Hosts Grammy Awards
Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Grammy Awards for the second consecutive year in 1997.
1997: Comes Out as Lesbian
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian, sparking intense interest from American tabloids and a contentious media coverage that stunted her career and left her "mired in depression".
1997: Ellen's stepfather, Roy Gruessendorf, dies
In 1997, Roy Gruessendorf, Ellen DeGeneres's stepfather, passed away.
1997: Comes out as lesbian on "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
In a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ representation on television, Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian in an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 1997. Her character on her sitcom, "Ellen", also came out, leading to significant cultural impact and discussions about LGBTQ+ visibility.
1998: "Ellen" sitcom ends
In 1998, Ellen DeGeneres's sitcom, "Ellen", ended after five seasons.
1999: Stars in "EDtv" and "The Love Letter"
In 1999, Ellen DeGeneres appeared in two films: the comedy-drama "EDtv" and the romantic comedy "The Love Letter".
August 2000: Relationship with Anne Heche Ends
Ellen DeGeneres's romantic relationship with actress Anne Heche, which began in 1997, ended in August 2000.
November 4, 2001: DeGeneres Hosts the Emmy Awards
DeGeneres hosted the Emmy Awards on November 4, 2001, after two cancellations due to the September 11 attacks. Her performance, which struck a balance between somber reflection and humor, received widespread praise and several standing ovations.
2001: "The Ellen Show" premieres on CBS
Ellen DeGeneres returned to television in 2001 with a new sitcom on CBS, "The Ellen Show".
September 2003: The Ellen DeGeneres Show Premieres
In September 2003, Ellen DeGeneres launched her daytime talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." The show quickly became a hit, earning critical acclaim and consistently high Nielsen ratings.
2003: "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" premieres
In 2003, Ellen DeGeneres launched her syndicated talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show".
2003: Finding Nemo Release
In 2003, Ellen DeGeneres voiced Dory in the animated Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo. For her performance, she won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie, and an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting.
November 2004: American Express Campaign
Ellen DeGeneres appeared in an ad campaign for American Express, dancing, in November 2004.
2004: Relationship with Portia de Rossi
Ellen DeGeneres began her relationship with Portia de Rossi in 2004.
2004: Relationship with Alexandra Hedison Ends
From 2000 to 2004, Ellen DeGeneres maintained a relationship with photographer Alexandra Hedison. The couple appeared on the cover of The Advocate after their separation was announced.
August 2005: DeGeneres Selected to Host Primetime Emmy Awards
In August 2005, DeGeneres was chosen to host the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards.
September 18, 2005: DeGeneres Hosts Primetime Emmy Awards
DeGeneres hosted the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards on September 18, 2005, three weeks after Hurricane Katrina, marking her second time hosting the Emmys following a national tragedy.
February 2006: DeGeneres Celebrates 30-Year Reunion
In February 2006, DeGeneres celebrated her thirty-year class reunion by flying her graduating class to California to be guests on her show. She also surprised Atlanta High School with a new electronic LED marquee sign.
May 2006: Surprise Appearance at Tulane University
DeGeneres made a surprise appearance at Tulane University's May 2006 commencement in New Orleans, following George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton to the podium in a bathrobe and furry slippers.
September 7, 2006: DeGeneres Selected to Host Academy Awards
On September 7, 2006, DeGeneres was chosen to host the 79th Academy Awards, making her the first openly gay person to host the event.
November 2006: American Express Commercial
In November 2006, Ellen DeGeneres's most recent American Express commercial, a two-minute black-and-white spot where she works with animals, debuted. The commercial was created by Ogilvy & Mather.
February 25, 2007: DeGeneres Hosts the Academy Awards
DeGeneres hosted the 79th Academy Awards on February 25, 2007, receiving positive reviews for her performance. Her hosting marked a significant moment for LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry.
March 2007: The Ellen DeGeneres Show at Universal Studios Orlando
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" broadcasted for a week from Universal Studios Orlando in March 2007, featuring skits with DeGeneres on the Hulk Roller Coaster Ride and the Jaws Boat Ride.
May 2007: DeGeneres Hosts Show from Hospital Bed
DeGeneres hosted her show from a hospital bed in May 2007 due to a torn ligament in her back, proving "the show must go on."
2007: Emmy Award for American Express Commercial
In 2007, Ellen DeGeneres's American Express commercial won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Commercial.
2007: Former writer alleges mistreatment
In 2007, a former writer for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" made allegations about mistreatment by Ellen DeGeneres.
August 2008: Marriage to Portia de Rossi
After the overturn of the same-sex marriage ban in California, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were engaged, and married in August 2008, at their home in Beverly Hills, California.
September 2008: CoverGirl Cosmetics Partnership
Ellen DeGeneres started working with CoverGirl Cosmetics in September 2008, which was met with criticism, as her animal-friendly values clashed with Procter and Gamble's (the maker of CoverGirl Cosmetics) history of animal testing.
November 4, 2008: Proposition 8
The passage of Proposition 8 on November 4, 2008, cast doubt on the legal status of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's marriage, but a subsequent California Supreme Court judgment validated it because it occurred before this date.
2008: Marries Portia de Rossi
Ellen DeGeneres married her longtime girlfriend, Portia de Rossi, in 2008.
January 2009: CoverGirl Advertisements
Starting in January 2009, Ellen DeGeneres's face became the focus of CoverGirl advertisements. This beauty campaign was DeGeneres's first.
May 1, 2009: 1000th Episode Celebration
On May 1, 2009, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" celebrated its 1000th episode with celebrity guests like Oprah Winfrey, Justin Timberlake, and Paris Hilton.
2009: Second Commencement Speech at Tulane
Ellen DeGeneres delivered another commencement speech at Tulane University in 2009, three years after her first surprise appearance.
2009: PETA's Woman of the Year
In 2009, Ellen DeGeneres was named "Woman of the Year" by PETA, recognizing her dedication to animal rights advocacy.
February 9, 2010: DeGeneres Joins American Idol
DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on the ninth season of "American Idol," debuting on February 9, 2010.
May 26, 2010: Eleveneleven Record Label Launch
On May 26, 2010, Ellen DeGeneres announced on her show that she was starting her own record label, "eleveneleven", and signed Greyson Chance as her first act. She explained her choice of name, claiming that she often sees the number 11:11 when looking at her clocks, that she found Chance on the 11th, and that the singer's soccer jersey has the number 11.
July 29, 2010: DeGeneres Departs American Idol
On July 29, 2010, DeGeneres announced her departure from "American Idol" after one season, stating that the series "didn't feel like the right fit for me."
August 6, 2010: Portia de Rossi Files for Name Change
On August 6, 2010, Portia de Rossi filed a petition to legally change her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres.
September 23, 2010: Name Change Granted
On September 23, 2010, Portia de Rossi's petition to legally change her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres was granted.
2010: DeGeneres Champions Turkey Adoption for Thanksgiving
In 2010, Ellen DeGeneres served as a campaign ambassador for Farm Sanctuary's "Adopt-A-Turkey Project." She urged people to consider adopting a turkey instead of eating one during Thanksgiving, promoting compassion for animals.
2010: Judge on "American Idol"
Ellen DeGeneres served as a judge on the ninth season of "American Idol" in 2010.
November 2011: DeGeneres Named Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness
In November 2011, Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State at the time, appointed Ellen DeGeneres as a special envoy for Global AIDS Awareness. This appointment highlighted DeGeneres' commitment to global health issues.
December 3, 2011: 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: NFL Support
Ellen DeGeneres, a fan of the NFL, showed support for the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. She attended a 2011 Saints practice session dressed as Packers Hall of Famer Don Hutson.
2012: Barack Obama Sets Twitter Retweet Record
Barack Obama set a Twitter retweet record following his victory in the 2012 presidential election.
2012: J.C. Penny Spokesperson
In spring 2012, Ellen DeGeneres became the spokesperson for J. C. Penney, participating in a tour and advertising campaign.
April 2013: DeGeneres Donates to Stop Ag-Gag Legislation
In April 2013, Ellen DeGeneres donated $25,000 to fight against the proposed Ag-Gag anti-whistleblower legislation in Tennessee. This legislation sought to prohibit undercover investigators from recording footage of animal abuse on farms.
August 2, 2013: DeGeneres Announced as Host for the Academy Awards
On August 2, 2013, DeGeneres was announced as the host for the Academy Awards for the second time.
March 2, 2014: DeGeneres Hosts Academy Awards for a Second Time
DeGeneres hosted the Academy Awards for the second time on March 2, 2014, continuing her successful track record with hosting prestigious award ceremonies.
October 24, 2014: E.D. on Air Launch
On October 24, 2014, Ellen DeGeneres's line of home products, initialized as E.D., for Ellen DeGeneres, under the name E.D. on Air, launched on QVC.
December 2015: 2000th Episode Surprise
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Timberlake surprised DeGeneres on her 2,000th show in December 2015.
2015: DeGeneres Launches Lifestyle Brand
DeGeneres launched her lifestyle brand, ED by Ellen, in the summer of 2015. The brand, which later changed its name to ED Ellen DeGeneres, features apparel, shoes, accessories, pet, baby, and home items.
2015: Forbes Recognition
In 2015, Ellen DeGeneres was named the 50th-most-powerful woman in the world by Forbes and came second on the World Pride Power list.
2016: Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Ellen DeGeneres received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, one of the highest civilian honors in the United States.
2016: Finding Dory Release
Ellen DeGeneres reprised her role as Dory from Finding Nemo in the 2016 sequel, Finding Dory.
2016: Voice of Dory in "Finding Dory"
Ellen DeGeneres reprised her role as the voice of Dory in the animated film "Finding Dory" in 2016.
2016: Reintroduces Fish into Diet
In 2016, Ellen DeGeneres stated that she had re-introduced fish into her diet.
February 2017: DeGeneres Launches Dog Collection at PetSmart
DeGeneres expanded her lifestyle brand in February 2017 by launching a dog collection at PetSmart. A cat line was introduced later that year.
May 2017: DeGeneres' Oscar Selfie Becomes Fifth-Most Retweeted Tweet
A selfie taken by Ellen DeGeneres during the 86th Academy Awards became the fifth-most retweeted tweet ever, surpassing Barack Obama's previous record. The selfie, featuring twelve celebrities, was retweeted over 3.4 million times.
August 13, 2017: "Ellen's Energy Adventure" closes at Epcot
On August 13, 2017, "Ellen's Energy Adventure" at Epcot closed permanently.
November 2017: DeGeneres Launches Campaign Against Elephant Trophy Imports
In response to the announcement that President Donald Trump would allow the importation of elephant trophies from Africa, Ellen DeGeneres launched a hashtag campaign in November 2017. Partnering with her brand, ED Ellen DeGeneres, the campaign aimed to raise funds for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
November 2017: #BeKindToElephants Campaign
In November 2017, Ellen DeGeneres launched a collection with her brand featuring a tee and baby one piece to benefit her #BeKindToElephants campaign. 100% of the proceeds were donated to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. DeGeneres also created a line with her brand to benefit the newly created Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund, a member of the Digit Fund, to launch a line of tees and footwear to help gorillas.
December 18, 2017: Ellen's Game of Games Premieres
DeGeneres began hosting the NBC game show "Ellen's Game of Games" during the 2017–2018 television season, with a preview on December 18, 2017.
January 2018: DeGeneres Receives Gorilla Sanctuary as a Birthday Gift
In January 2018, to celebrate Ellen DeGeneres's 60th birthday, her wife, Portia de Rossi, gifted her a permanent gorilla home in Rwanda. The sanctuary, built in DeGeneres's name for the Digit Fund, became part of a new branch of the organization called the "Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund."
August 2, 2018: Social Media Following
As of August 2, 2018, Ellen DeGeneres had more than 76 million followers on Twitter and 55.8 million followers on Instagram, making her the tenth-most-followed user on Twitter and the 29th-most-followed user on Instagram.
August 15, 2018: Walmart Partnership
On August 15, 2018, Ellen DeGeneres announced her partnership with Walmart to launch a fashion collection under the brand name EV1, a low-cost alternative to her ED Ellen DeGeneres product.
August 2018: Social Media Following
As of August 2018, Ellen DeGeneres had more than 76 million followers on Twitter and 55.8 million followers on Instagram, making her the tenth-most-followed user on Twitter and the 29th-most-followed user on Instagram.
September 4, 2018: TCL Partnership
On September 4, 2018, TCL announced the extension of their partnership as the Official TV of The Ellen DeGeneres Show for a fifth consecutive season.
September 10, 2018: EV1 Launch
On September 10, 2018, Ellen DeGeneres officially launched the EV1 collection with Walmart, with price points under $30.
2018: DeGeneres Profiled by The New York Times
The New York Times profiled DeGeneres in 2018 as she considered renewing her talk-show contract and explored other creative outlets, including her Netflix special "Relatable." The article highlighted her struggle with her public image and desire to break free from the expectation of always being "nice."
2018: Ellen's Game of Games Regular Episodes Air
Regular episodes of "Ellen's Game of Games" began airing in January 2018. The show, based on games played on DeGeneres' talk show, ran for four seasons.
2018: Confirms Non-Vegan Lifestyle
In her 2018 stand-up comedy special "Relatable", Ellen DeGeneres confirmed she was no longer vegan, stating she had stopped "in the last year or two for no reason really".
2018: "Relatable" Netflix stand-up special
In 2018, Ellen DeGeneres released "Relatable", her Netflix stand-up special, marking her return to stand-up comedy after a 15-year hiatus.
2018: Ellen's father, Elliott Everett DeGeneres, passes away
Ellen DeGeneres's father, Elliott Everett DeGeneres, passed away in 2018.
October 2019: DeGeneres's Appearance with George W. Bush Sparks Controversy
Ellen DeGeneres faced criticism in October 2019 after being seen interacting with former President George W. Bush at an NFL game. The criticism stemmed from Bush's past policies, including his opposition to same-sex marriage and his administration's role in the Iraq War.
January 2020: Receives the Carol Burnett Award
In January 2020, Ellen DeGeneres received the Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes for her significant contributions to television. This made her the first recipient after the award's inaugural namesake, Carol Burnett.
July 2020: WarnerMedia Launches Investigation into "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"
In July 2020, following the allegations of a toxic work environment, Telepictures (a unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment) initiated an internal investigation into "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." DeGeneres issued a statement to her staff, taking responsibility for the workplace culture and pledging to address the issues.
July 2020: Allegations of a Toxic Work Environment Surface Against DeGeneres
In July 2020, Buzzfeed News published a report featuring allegations from ten former employees of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." The former employees, speaking anonymously, described a "toxic" work environment on set, alleging racism, fear, and intimidation.
September 2020: DeGeneres Addresses Workplace Culture in Season Premiere
After an internal investigation led to the departure of three executives, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" promised to implement changes to improve the workplace culture. In the eighteenth season's opening episode in September 2020, DeGeneres publicly apologized again, addressing the allegations and expressing her commitment to creating a respectful and inclusive environment.
2020: Forbes Earnings
Forbes estimated Ellen DeGeneres's 2020 earnings at US$84 million and her net worth at US$370 million, making her the 12th-highest-paid entertainer in the world.
May 12, 2021: DeGeneres Announces Talk Show's End
On May 12, 2021, DeGeneres announced the end of her talk show after its nineteenth season, citing a desire for new challenges and a shift in her creative focus.
May 2021: Ellen's Game of Games Concludes
"Ellen's Game of Games" concluded in May 2021 after four seasons.
January 2022: Ellen's Game of Games Cancelled
NBC announced the cancellation of "Ellen's Game of Games" in January 2022, seven months after its final episode aired.
May 26, 2022: Final Episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show Airs
The final episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" aired on May 26, 2022, featuring guests Jennifer Aniston, Pink, and Billie Eilish. Portia de Rossi and members of DeGeneres' family were in the audience.
2022: "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" concludes
In 2022, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" concluded after 19 seasons.
November 2023: Social Media Following
As of November 2023, Ellen DeGeneres had slipped down to 75 million followers on Twitter (now known as X), placing her 14th, while her Instagram followers have grown to 139 million in the 5 years since the August 2018 update, albeit dipping to 32nd place.