Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Rosie O'Donnell
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Rosie O'Donnell made an impact.
Rosie O'Donnell is a multifaceted American entertainer, known as a talk show host, comedian, and actress. She gained initial recognition on Star Search in 1984 before transitioning to television and film roles. O'Donnell achieved widespread fame as the host of The Rosie O'Donnell Show from 1996 to 2002, earning Daytime Emmy Awards and the moniker "Queen of Nice" due to her positive demeanor and charitable work. Her career encompasses stand-up comedy, acting, and hosting, establishing her as a prominent figure in American entertainment.
1979: Stand-up Comedy Touring
From 1979, Rosie O'Donnell toured as a stand-up comedian in clubs, honing her comedic skills and building her early career.
1984: Breakthrough on Star Search
In 1984, Rosie O'Donnell got her first big break on Star Search, a television show that showcased up-and-coming talent.
1986: Series Debut on Gimme a Break!
In 1986, Rosie O'Donnell made her series debut as Nell Harper's neighbor on Gimme a Break!, marking her entry into television sitcoms.
1988: Joins VH1 as VJ
In 1988, Rosie O'Donnell joined music video station VH1's lineup of veejays, starting her hosting duties with Stand-up Spotlight.
1992: Starred in A League of Their Own
In 1992, Rosie O'Donnell starred in A League of Their Own, marking her feature film debut, alongside Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna.
May 1996: For All Kids Foundation Seeded
In May 1996, Warner Books advanced O'Donnell $3 million to write a memoir, which she used to seed her For All Kids Foundation to help institute national standards for day care across the country.
1996: Hosting The Rosie O'Donnell Show
In 1996, Rosie O'Donnell began hosting her daytime talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, which proved successful and earned her the title "The Queen of Nice."
1996: The Rosie O'Donnell Show Debut
In 1996, Rosie O'Donnell began hosting her own syndicated daytime talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, which went on to win several Daytime Emmy Awards.
1997: Scope Promotion Backlash
In 1997, Procter & Gamble's designation of O'Donnell as "unkissable" in a promotion for Scope mouthwash was awarded top prize as a PR blunder. O'Donnell then partnered with Listerine, who donated to charity every time a guest kissed her, raising over $350,000.
1997: Kids Are Punny Release
In 1997, Rosie released the children's book Kids are Punny: Jokes Sent by Kids to the Rosie O'Donnell Show, which contained jokes she had received from children.
1997: Rosie's For All Kids Foundation Established
Since 1997, Rosie's For All Kids Foundation has awarded more than $22 million in Early Childhood Care and Education program grants to over 900 nonprofit organizations.
1998: Kids Are Punny 2 Release
In 1998, Rosie released the sequel to her children's book, titled Kids are Punny 2: More Jokes Sent by Kids to the Rosie O'Donnell Show.
April 19, 1999: Gun Control Advocacy
On April 19, 1999, during her talk show, Rosie O'Donnell advocated for stricter gun control, stating her controversial views on gun ownership.
May 1999: Interview with Tom Selleck
In May 1999, Rosie O'Donnell interviewed Tom Selleck on her talk show, questioning him about his involvement with the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and his views on assault weapons.
1999: Contract Discontinuation with Kmart
Later in 1999, Rosie O'Donnell discontinued her contract with Kmart as their spokesperson, amid controversy over her gun control stance and Kmart's sale of firearms.
September 2000: Rosie's McCall's Magazine Launch
In September 2000, Rosie O'Donnell launched Rosie's McCall's magazine as a competitor to Oprah Winfrey's O magazine. In the September 2000 issue, Rosie shared her lifelong struggle with depression and decision to start medication.
September 11, 2001: Response to 9/11 Attacks
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Rosie O'Donnell encouraged support for New York City's performing arts and donated $1 million for aid in rescue efforts.
January 31, 2002: Appearance on Will & Grace
On January 31, 2002, Rosie O'Donnell appeared on the sitcom Will & Grace, playing a lesbian mother.
March 14, 2002: Diane Sawyer Interview
On March 14, 2002, Diane Sawyer interviewed O'Donnell in an episode of PrimeTime Thursday. O'Donnell chose to talk to Sawyer because she wanted an investigative piece on Florida's ban on gay adoption.
April 2002: Release of Find Me
In April 2002, O'Donnell released Find Me, a memoir that reached number two on The New York Times bestseller list.
September 2002: O'Donnell Quits Rosie's McCall's
In September 2002, O'Donnell quit Rosie's McCall's magazine due to a dispute over editorial control, stating that her name and brand must align with her vision.
2002: Coming Out as Lesbian
In 2002, Rosie O'Donnell came out as a lesbian, becoming an outspoken advocate for lesbian rights and gay adoption issues.
2002: Departure from Talk Show
In 2002, Rosie O'Donnell left her talk show, marking the end of an era, after which it was replaced by The Caroline Rhea Show.
2002: Publication of Find Me
In 2002, Rosie O'Donnell published her memoir, Find Me, using the $3 million advance to establish her For All foundation and promote other charity projects.
2002: End of The Rosie O'Donnell Show
In 2002, Rosie O'Donnell's syndicated daytime talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, came to an end after a successful run during which she earned the nickname "Queen of Nice" and a reputation for philanthropy.
May 2003: Becomes a Columnist for The Advocate
In May 2003, Rosie O'Donnell became a regular columnist for The Advocate magazine.
2003: R Family Vacations Launch
In 2003, O'Donnell and Carpenter partnered with Gregg Kaminsky to launch R Family Vacations, catering to LGBT families.
2003: Rosie's Broadway Kids Founded
In 2003, O'Donnell and Kelli O'Donnell collaborated with Lori Klinger to create Rosie's Broadway Kids, providing free music and dance instruction to New York City public schools.
2003: Brings Taboo to Broadway
In 2003, O'Donnell brought the musical Taboo to Broadway, hiring Charles Busch to rewrite the book. The show closed after about 100 performances and "mostly bad" reviews.
2003: Rosie Magazine Folds and Lawsuits Begin
In 2003, Rosie magazine folded. Later that year, O'Donnell and the publishers sued each other for breach of contract. The case was dismissed by the judge, Ira Gammerman of the New York Supreme Court in Manhattan, ruling that neither side should receive damages.
February 8, 2004: Taboo Closes on Broadway
On February 8, 2004, the musical Taboo, which Rosie O'Donnell brought to Broadway, closed after about 100 performances.
July 11, 2004: First R Family Vacations Cruise
On July 11, 2004, the first R Family Vacations cruise was held with 1600 passengers, including 600 children, featuring entertainment and discussions on LGBT parenting.
2005: Pre-O'Donnell Ratings on The View
In 2005, prior to Rosie O'Donnell joining The View, the show had lower average viewership numbers, setting the stage for the ratings increase her arrival would bring.
April 6, 2006: All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise Debuts on HBO
On April 6, 2006, All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise, a documentary film about the R Family Vacations trip, debuted on HBO and was nominated for three Emmy Awards.
September 2006: Joins The View as Co-Host and Moderator
In September 2006, Rosie O'Donnell replaced Meredith Vieira as a co-host and moderator of The View, bringing significant changes to the show's dynamics and ratings.
October 30, 2006: Honored by NYSPCC
On October 30, 2006, Rosie O'Donnell was honored by the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for her contributions through Rosie's for All Kids Foundation.
November 2006: The Children's Plaza and Family Center Opens
In November 2006, Nightline aired a video report about the opening of The Children's Plaza and Family Center in Renaissance Village, Louisiana, an emergency response initiative of Rosie's For All Kids Foundation to assist families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
November 2006: Commentary on Kelly Ripa and Clay Aiken Incident
In November 2006, Rosie O'Donnell commented on Kelly Ripa's complaints about Clay Aiken on Live with Regis and Kelly, sparking a discussion about homophobia and the context of the incident.
December 2006: $50 Million Donated to Charity
In December 2006, Elizabeth Birch confirmed at a charity event that $50 million from O'Donnell's contract were donated in an irrevocable trust to charity.
2006: Moderator on The View
In 2006, Rosie O'Donnell began a controversial run as the moderator on the daytime talk show The View.
March 2007: Launch of Jahero Video Blog
In March 2007, Rosie O'Donnell launched a video blog called Jahero on her website Rosie.com, where she answered fan questions and provided behind-the-scenes information. The blog became popular, featuring O'Donnell, her makeup artist Helene Macaulay, and writer Janette Barber. O'Donnell also won the "best celebrity blogger" category in the 2007 Blogger's Choice Awards.
April 19, 2007: Discussion on Abortion Ban Act
On April 19, 2007, The View panel, including Rosie O'Donnell, discussed the Supreme Court's ruling in Gonzales v. Carhart, leading to controversial statements about religion and politics.
April 25, 2007: Departure from The View
On April 25, 2007, ABC announced that Rosie O'Donnell would be leaving The View before the end of the year due to a failure to reach an agreement on a new contract.
May 2007: Partnership with Pogo.com to Raise Money
In May 2007, O'Donnell and Pogo.com announced a joint effort to raise money for Rosie's All Kids Foundation, with EA committing $30,000 and more money raised based on playing time on certain games. A sweepstakes was also held for winners to meet O'Donnell.
May 23, 2007: Heated Discussion with Elisabeth Hasselbeck
On May 23, 2007, a heated discussion ensued between Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck on The View, stemming from O'Donnell's perception that Hasselbeck was unwilling to defend her from criticisms. This disagreement contributed to O'Donnell's decision to leave the show.
May 25, 2007: Agreement to Cut Short The View Contract
On May 25, 2007, Rosie O'Donnell and ABC agreed to cut short her contract agreement on The View. This followed heated arguments and O'Donnell's feeling that the show's production was setting her up negatively. Her arguments with Hasselbeck brought the show its best ratings ever. O'Donnell was replaced by Whoopi Goldberg as the moderator.
June 8, 2007: True Colors Tour Guest Appearance
On June 8, 2007, O'Donnell was a guest on the True Colors Tour, which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada to benefit the Human Rights Campaign, P-FLAG, and The Matthew Shepard Foundation.
June 2007: Declined Hosting The Price Is Right
In June 2007, Rosie O'Donnell announced on her blog that she would not be replacing Bob Barker as the host of CBS's game show The Price Is Right. Despite Barker's endorsement, O'Donnell noted that she was reluctant to move her family to California.
October 2007: Celebrity Detox Memoir Release
In October 2007, Rosie O'Donnell released Celebrity Detox, her second memoir, focusing on her struggles with leaving fame behind, including her exits from The Rosie O'Donnell Show and The View.
2007: Publication of Celebrity Detox
In 2007, Rosie O'Donnell authored another memoir, Celebrity Detox, adding to her list of written works.
2007: Controversial Run on The View
In 2007, Rosie O'Donnell's controversial run as moderator on The View continued, marked by a public feud with Donald Trump and on-air disputes regarding the Bush administration's policies with the Iraq War.
2007: Celebrity Detox Proceeds Donated
In 2007, all net profits from O'Donnell's book Celebrity Detox were donated to Rosie's Broadway Kids.
2008: True Colors Tour 2008 Appearance
In 2008, Rosie O'Donnell appeared again on the True Colors Tour.
2008: Starring in America
In 2008, Rosie O'Donnell starred in and executive produced America, a Lifetime channel film based on the E.R. Frank book of the same name. In the film, she plays the therapist of a 16-year-old boy aging out of the foster care system.
2008: Emmy Win for The View's Autism Episode
In 2008, The View won an Emmy for "Outstanding Special Class Writing" for a specially themed Autism episode that Rosie O'Donnell helped create. The award was accepted by Janette Barber, O'Donnell's longtime friend and producer/writer of The Rosie O'Donnell Show.
October 2009: Appearance in Love, Loss, and What I Wore
In October 2009, Rosie O'Donnell appeared in the original cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore.
November 2009: Premiere of Rosie Radio on Sirius XM Radio
In November 2009, "Rosie Radio", a daily two-hour show with Rosie O'Donnell discussing news and events, premiered on Sirius XM Radio. O'Donnell was approached by the company after she appeared on Howard Stern's show.
2009: Hosting Rosie Radio
From 2009, Rosie O'Donnell hosted Rosie Radio on Sirius XM Radio.
May 2011: Premiere of The Doc Club with Rosie O'Donnell
In May 2011, The Doc Club with Rosie O'Donnell premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). On the show, Rosie O'Donnell moderated live panel discussions following premieres of OWN Documentaries.
June 2011: End of Rosie Radio
In June 2011, the radio show "Rosie Radio" ended its run on Sirius XM Radio.
October 10, 2011: Debut of The Rosie Show
On October 10, 2011, The Rosie Show debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), taping at the Chicago studio that was formerly home to The Oprah Winfrey Show. The show received generally positive reviews.
October 2011: Hosting Miss Representation Special
In October 2011, Rosie O'Donnell hosted specials for Miss Representation on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
December 5, 2011: Engagement Announcement
On December 5, 2011, Rosie O'Donnell announced her engagement to Michelle Rounds during a taping of The Rosie Show.
2011: Hosting The Rosie Show on OWN
In 2011, Rosie O'Donnell hosted a second talk show, The Rosie Show, on OWN.
March 16, 2012: Cancellation of The Rosie Show
On March 16, 2012, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) canceled The Rosie Show, with the last show taped on March 20, on the eve of Rosie O'Donnell's 50th birthday.
March 29, 2012: Final Airing of The Rosie Show
On March 29, 2012, the final episode of The Rosie Show aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
2012: Roseanne Barr's Presidential Bid
In 2012, Roseanne Barr made a bid for presidency. The events were later captured in the documentary 'Roseanne For President!' released in April 2015, in which Rosie O'Donnell made a cameo appearance alongside Michael Moore and Sandra Bernhard.
2012: The Rosie Show Ended
In 2012, The Rosie Show on OWN ended its short run.
2013: Guest Appearances on Television Shows
In 2013, Rosie O'Donnell appeared in several television shows. She played Dottie Shannon in an episode of Bomb Girls, voiced the Bouncing Bumble Queen in Jake and the Never Land Pirates, appeared in two episodes of Smash as herself, and appeared as herself in an episode of Impractical Jokers called "Everything's Rosie".
2014: Recurring Role on The Fosters
In 2014, Rosie O'Donnell landed a recurring role as Rita Hendricks on The Fosters, playing a compassionate woman working in the foster care system and mentoring a member of the Foster family.
2014: Return to The View
In 2014, Rosie O'Donnell returned to The View, leaving after a brief five-month run due to personal issues.
February 6, 2015: Second Exit from The View
On February 6, 2015, Rosie O'Donnell confirmed her second exit from The View, citing health reasons and the need to focus on her personal life.
April 2015: Cameo in Roseanne For President!
In April 2015, Rosie O'Donnell made a cameo appearance in Roseanne For President!, a documentary film about Roseanne Barr's 2012 presidential bid. O'Donnell appeared alongside Michael Moore and Sandra Bernhard.
September 2015: Appearance in Everything Is Copy
In September 2015, Rosie O'Donnell appeared in the documentary Everything Is Copy, a film by Jacob Bernstein about his mother Nora Ephron. O'Donnell helped to "bring his mother into focus" along with other celebrities.
November 2016: Joined the Cast of SMILF
In November 2016, Rosie O'Donnell joined the cast of the comedy pilot SMILF, which aired from November 5, 2017, until March 31, 2019. O'Donnell received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Tutu.
2016: Guest Appearances in CBS Series, Match Game and Hairspray Live!
In 2016, Rosie O'Donnell appeared in two episodes of the CBS series Mom, playing Jeanine, Bonnie's ex-girlfriend. She was also a regular panelist on Match Game, appeared in an episode of The $100,000 Pyramid, and played the role of the gym teacher in Hairspray Live!
2016: Departure from The Fosters
Rosie O'Donnell's character, Rita Hendricks, lasted through the 2016 season of The Fosters.
November 5, 2017: Premiere of SMILF
On November 5, 2017, the comedy series SMILF, featuring Rosie O'Donnell, premiered. She played the role of Tutu and received critical acclaim.
2017: Starring in SMILF
From 2017, Rosie O'Donnell starred on the Showtime comedy series SMILF.
March 31, 2019: End of SMILF Series
On March 31, 2019, the series SMILF, in which Rosie O'Donnell played the role of Tutu, aired its final episode.
April 3, 2019: Cast in I Know This Much Is True
On April 3, 2019, Rosie O'Donnell was announced to play the role of Lisa Sheffer in the HBO series I Know This Much Is True.
2019: End of SMILF
In 2019, Rosie O'Donnell's starring role on the Showtime comedy series SMILF came to an end.
June 15, 2021: Starring in American Gigolo Reboot
On June 15, 2021, it was announced that Rosie O'Donnell would star as Detective Sunday in a series reboot of American Gigolo on Showtime, premiering in 2022, alongside Jon Bernthal.
2022: Voice Acting and Role in A League of Their Own
In 2022, Rosie O'Donnell voiced the role of the MTA subway announcements in the second season of the Netflix series Russian Doll. She also appeared as Vi in the Amazon Prime Video series A League of Their Own (2022).
2023: Regular Contributor to The Advocate
In 2023, Rosie O'Donnell became a regular contributor to The Advocate magazine, continuing her advocacy work.
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