Ellen DeGeneres: A Comedian Turned Talk Show Host
Ellen DeGeneres is a highly successful talk show host, actress, comedian, and writer who has rose to fame since the mid-’90s. Her career is overflowing with awards, nominations, and recognitions, as well as having an active presence on social media with millions of fans all across the globe. Starting out as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s, Ellen gradually gained recognition before entering the world of television hosting. Now, Ellen has become one of the most famous personalities in the industry having hosted her own show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, for seventeen years.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Born in 1958 in Metairie, Louisiana, Ellen Lee DeGeneres was given the nickname “The Clown” by her parents. From an early age, she was known to have been full of energy and always ready for a laugh. After attending college and working as a model for an athletics store for a brief period, she started performing stand-up comedy as a way to cope with her depression in the early ’80s. Within no time, Ellen had become a club favorite, performing on multiple occasions.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show Journey
In 1986, Ellen starred in her own show Two of a Kind, a sitcom that was eventually cancelled the next year. This was followed by a number of sporadic appearances on other TV shows until 1994 when she was cast in the lead role in the hit sitcom Ellen. Ellen was the first openly gay lead character on TV before the show was eventually cancelled in 1998.
In 2003, Ellen launched her own syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show and soon enough it became one of the highest rated talk shows on US television. Over the next fifteen years, Ellen was awarded numerous Daytime Emmy awards, People’s Choice Awards, and even received a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She developed her own style of humor that captivated people from all backgrounds across the world.
Famous Roles and Growing Fame
Apart from her talk show, Ellen has also served as the host of the Academy Awards, two MTV Music Awards ceremonies, and the Grammy Awards. She was also named one of the 100 Most Influential People by the Time magazine in 2013. Ellen’s work has been rewarded not only with awards, but also with adoration by her viewers.
In 2008, with the support of Ellen, the LGBT movement was propelled to the forefront of the global conversation through her own experiences as a gay celebrity. Her character in the show finding out her sexuality was positively received which motivated her further to take a stand for gay rights.
Philanthropy and Business Ventures
In 2009, Ellen created the Ellen DeGeneres Conservation Foundation which aimed to protect endangered species in their habitats. Ellen is also a part of the Humane Society of United States and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to help animals in need. She also launched her own lifestyle brand ED Ellen DeGeneres in 2015, inspired from her own style that is synonymous with her talk shows.
Legacy
When asked about her legacy in a recent interview, Ellen said she hopes to be remembered for being a person who brought joy and laughter to people all around the world. She has certainly done an excellent job of living up to her own expectations and continues to bring a smile to millions of people with her work.
Ellen DeGeneres is one of the most beloved and acclaimed celebrities of our time and her life serves as an inspiration to anyone who has ever felt they were not good enough due to some external circumstance or societal pressure. She has made a remarkable journey from a shy, small town girl to an international TV star that has become an important voice in popular culture. With her support and her kind, generous heart, Ellen has become an icon of change and a respected entertainer with an astoundingly successful career.
