Birthday – January 26, 1958
Who is Ellen DeGeneres?
Ellen DeGeneres is one of America's most popular talk show hosts and comedians throughout the years. She even has a show named after her, namely The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Five Facts about Ellen DeGeneres
- She was born in Metairie, Louisiana.
- She is the voice of Dory in the movie Finding Nemo and its sequel, Finding Dory.
- She lived and worked in India for 17 years.
- She is an advocate of the rights of the LBGTQ community.
- She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama last November 2016 for her contribution to the field of art.
Inspirational Quotes from Ellen DeGeneres
“Beauty is about being comfortable in your skin. It's about knowing and accepting who you are.”
“True beauty is not related to what color your hair is or what color your eyes are. True beauty is about who you are as a human being, your principles, your moral compass.”
“Sometimes you can't see yourself clearly until you see yourself through the eyes of others. ”
“When you take risks, you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important.”
“Find out who you are and figure out what you believe in. Even if it's different from what your neighbors believe in and different from what your parents believe in. Stay true to yourself. Have your own opinion. Don't worry about what people say about you or think about you. Let the naysayers nay. They will eventually grow tired of naying.”
Ellen DeGeneres Biography
Ellen DeGeneres, who was born on the 26th of January 1958 in Metairie, Louisiana, is commonly known as Ellen. Aside from being a recognized comedian, she also became well-recognized as an actress and talk show host who has continually brought waves of laughter to millions of people around the globe.
She is best identified for publicly announcing that she is a lesbian during the late 1990s. Beyond her life as a comedian, Ellen is highly respected for being a caring person.
The Early Years
Ellen DeGeneres is the youngest of the two siblings of Betty and Elliot DeGeneres. Her parents divorced when she was just a teenager. She has an older brother, Vance, who is also a comedian. Additionally, he is a writer and correspondent of The Daily Show from 1999 until 2001.
Ellen graduated from Atlanta High School. She decided to move back to Louisiana to take a major in communications at the University of New Orleans. However, she withdrew after one semester.
A Young Comedian
Before her fame, she was a former clerical worker in a law firm. She even managed to wait tables, do house painting, do bartending, and even sell Hoover vacuum cleaners.
She received her break in the world of comedy at Clyde's Comedy Club which was the sole comedy club located in New Orleans. This allowed her to perform more shows all over the country.
Ellen Degeneres went on an American tour which helped her greatly develop her craft as a comedian. She was chosen as America’s Funniest Person by Showtime in 1982. This recognition led to a wide array of television debuts plus being granted a shot on The Tonight Show in 1986.
She became a sitcom star from being a comedian. Her show, Ellen, was a huge success that led her to stardom and fame.
A Witty Talk Show Host
She officially started her talk show entitled The Ellen DeGeneres Show last 2003. The show was a great success during the first year of airing. She managed to surpass Oprah Winfrey’s track record of being the fan-favorite, especially when the two hosts are simultaneously airing their show.
This must be mainly because Ellen embedded her personality and character in her shows. She encourages that carefree and lighthearted vibe to her audience which makes them forget about their problems in life. This signature move by Ellen has captured the hearts of many.
She would even give her shows her signature dance which successfully captures the attention of her audience.
Career Milestones
The first break to her career was perhaps when she appeared on The Tonight Show in 1986. After the set, host Johnny Carson invited Ellen to sit beside him. This gesture was a traditional cue or signal that Carson believed that DeGeneres was a special individual. She was the first female comedian to have the honor of being invited over by Johnny.
Another career milestone of Ellen was when she boldly announced to the public that she is a homosexual. Her revelation remained one of the most talked-about stories in 1997. This made her the first primetime show host who openly admitted that she is gay.
Notable Achievements
- She received several standing ovations for her uplifting persona, tone, and charm when she was one of the hosts of the 2001 Emmy Awards. This happened after the September 11 attacks.
- She was awarded numerous recognitions throughout her career, namely having several Emmy Awards for hosting an Outstanding Talk Show.
She was given the
Presidential Medal of Freedom last 2016 by U.S. President Barack Obama.
