Ellen DeGeneres

"DeGeneres is the bravest and most honest female comedian I have ever seen work because she publicly announced she's gay. That revelation could have ended her career, as she had to be aware, but she also knew she had to be honest"
-Bob Newhart, in his column in Time Magazine on Ellen DeGeneres

On the May 16, 2008 airing of The Ellen Show, star Ellen DeGeneres announced that she and her girlfriend Portia de Rossi. The audience stood up and cheered, their joy matched by those watching at home. Such a response to Ellen's homosexuality was not always so great. In 1998 her first television show "Ellen" was canceled, only several episodes after Ellen's "coming out" episode. It had been a long road to this point in her life; she had an amazing girlfriend who she loved, a hugely successful talk show, and she was one of the world's most well-known lesbian Americans.

Born in January 1958 to Elliot DeGeneres and Elizabeth Pfeffer. As a chi.ld she dreamed of becoming a Veterinarian but did not pursue it because she was "not book-smart." As a young teenager Ellen's parents separated and divorced, which led Ellen and her mother moving to Atlanta, Texas with her new stepfather, Roy Gruessendorf. She graduated from Atlanta High School in 1976. Following graduation DeGeneres moved back to Louisiana to pursue a degree in communications at the University of Louisiana. After a brief time there, Ellen decided to leave school to join the workforce where she held a number of jobs including being a waitress, a legal secretary, a house-painter and a bartender. She soon discovered that she did not want to "answer to a boss". She found herself a budding career as a stand up comedian in 1981 after using humor to get through a public speaking event.

Ellen DeGeneres is also well-known for her mid-1990s sitcom Ellen. The show ran from 1994 to 1998 and was a huge hit, even being compared to the legendary "Seinfeld". Ellen disagreed with the comparison saying: "On his show, Jerry is the more or less normal one and there are all these colorful characters around him. On my show, I'm the one who always trips." In 1997 Ellen was met with both praise and critcism when Ellen's character came out as a lesbian to her therapist. Ellen, herself, had previously come out both on the Oprah Winfrey Show and on the cover of Time magazine where she proudly declared "Yep, I'm Gay."

Ellen's declaration was a bold one. The gay community welcomed her with open arms, as did many American households. But not everyone was impressed with Degeneres' coming out; Birmingham, Alabama refused to air the groundbreaking episode and sponsors of the television show, such as Daimler Chrysler withdrew advertisements, fearing criticism. Ellen was cancelled shortly after the episode premiered, despite being nominated for an Emmy award.

After the cancellation Ellen appeared in EdTV starring Matthew McConaughey as well the a television production of "If These Walls Could Talk 2" where she shared a love scene with Sharon Stone. But in 2003 Ellen got her big comeback roles playing the voice of Dory in the hit "Finding Nemo as well as starring on her own talk show. She has since hosted the Daytime Emmys twice and and the Academy Awards.

Ellen has had well publicized romances with several women. After the "coming out" episode of Ellen DeGeneres announced she was dating actress Anne Heche. The couple split in 2000. Ellen was quoted by Advocate Magazine saying "I felt like I would never live again. But you do." Heche went on to marry cameraman Coley Laffoon. In 2001 Ellen dated Alexandra Hedison. Their relationship ended in late 2004. Shortly after, Ellen began dating Portia de Rossi, with whom she is currently engaged.

Ellen DeGeneres has become a hugely sucessful comedian and actress as well as a spokesperson for the gay community. She has had ups and downs in her career but has persevered and continues to be one of the best known lesbians in television history. Despite some criticism from naysayers there is no doubt that her career is far from over.

Sources:
Biography
Wikipedia
About.com