Ellen DeGeneres, once the undisputed “Queen of Daytime,” is celebrating this milestone far from the glitz of Burbank. Having relocated to the Cotswolds in the United Kingdom with her wife, Portia de Rossi, in late 2024, Ellen’s life today is defined by picturesque village walks and a “simpler way of life.” While she has largely stepped away from the daily grind of Hollywood following the 2022 conclusion of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, her impact on pop culture, LGBTQ+ visibility, and the art of the talk show remains a permanent part of the cinematic and television canon.
The Story of a Stand-Up Pioneer
Ellen Lee DeGeneres was born in 1958 in Metairie, Louisiana. Her path to fame was far from linear; she spent her early twenties working as a waitress at TGI Fridays, a house painter, and an oyster shucker before finding her voice on stage. Her big break came in 1982 when Showtime named her the “Funniest Person in America.”
The true turning point, however, arrived in 1986. After performing her legendary “Phone Call to God” routine on The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson invited her to sit on the couch—the first time a female comedian had ever been given that honor during her debut. That moment signaled to the world that a new comedic powerhouse had arrived.
The “Puppy Episode” and TV History
In 1994, she began starring in the ABC sitcom Ellen. The show was a hit, but it became a historical landmark in April 1997 when both the character Ellen Morgan and the actress herself came out as gay. The “Puppy Episode” was watched by 46 million viewers, making Ellen the first lead character on a prime-time show to be openly gay. Though the show was canceled a year later amidst a backlash that briefly derailed her career, Ellen’s bravery paved the way for a generation of LGBTQ+ representation in media.
The Daytime Dynasty
In 2003, Ellen staged one of the greatest comebacks in media history with the launch of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. For 19 seasons, the show redefined the daytime format:
The Dancing: Ellen’s signature entrance through the audience became a daily ritual.
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The Games: Segments like “Know or Go” and “Danger Word” were so popular they inspired the spin-off Ellen’s Game of Games.
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The Voice of Dory: During this era, she also voiced the iconic, forgetful blue tang in Pixar’s Finding Nemo (2003) and Finding Dory (2016), becoming a staple of childhood for millions.
Ellen Facts and Trivia
In this handout photo provided by Ellen DeGeneres, host Ellen DeGeneres poses for a selfie taken by Bradley Cooper with (clockwise from L-R) Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong’o, Angelina Jolie, Peter Nyong’o Jr. and Bradley Cooper during the 86th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo credit Ellen DeGeneres/Twitter via Getty Images)
- The Record-Breaking Selfie: While hosting the 2014 Oscars, she took a star-studded selfie that literally crashed Twitter (now X). She also had pizza delivered during the ceremony.
: Host Ellen DeGeneres (R) with pizza delivery man onstage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
- Kind Science: In her later years, she launched a skincare brand focused on positive aging and eco-friendly ingredients.
- Presidential Honors: In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to the arts and civil rights.
- Animal Advocate: A dedicated vegan for many years, she founded the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda to protect endangered gorillas.
