Biography of Ellen Degeneres
The 2014 Oscars are filled with Hollywood’s brightest stars but this year the host seems to have more star power than the list of nominees and winners combined. She is also making history as only the second women in history to host the Oscars. Comedian, actress, talk show host and gay advocate Ellen Degeneres has amassed a fan base that stretches the globe. With her daytime talk show reaching millions of households around the world she’s used her platform to bring awareness to a number of issues. Her show’s subject matter have touched on gay rights to women’s issues, animal cruelty, poverty and health. Some may say she’s at the height of her career. But with an extension of her contract and new endorsement deals Ellen’s celebrity and influence continues to grow.
One of the biggest names in entertainment Ellen Degeneres grew up a long ways from the bright lights and sound stages on Hollywood studio lots. She was born and raised in a small suburb in Louisiana. Her parents were middle class workers who had fairly common jobs. Her mom worked in real estate and her father was an insurance salesman. Her parents raised her in a loving home and their sudden divorce when she was 13 years old came as a surprise to the teen. She claims the distress during the process that her parents displayed pushed her to find ways to entertain herself and occupy them.
Ellen began telling jokes to her family and friends. She always received a warm response from everyone. Her coping mechanism didn’t work to mend her parents relationship but it would be the very thing to help Ellen’s star rise. Ellen began doing stand up at random comedy clubs, bars and lounges to support herself after high school. She had spent a year at the University of New Orleans studying communications. Ellen struggled to concentrate in school and soon realized entertaining was her strong suit. She dropped out of college to pursue a comedic career hardheartedly.
Ellen’s older brother Vance Degeneres had also been attracted to entertainment. He began acting in 1993 on a film short called “Mr Bill Goes to Washington”. Vance eventually became a successful Hollywood producing. His resume includes Crazy Stupid Love and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. He would later be the executive producer on his little sister’s self titled series.
Her first break on the west coast came on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson in 1986. For almost a decade Ellen’s star failed to rise. She had made dozens of television appearances and landed a plethora of television roles but none of the roles were on successful series. ABC eventually gave her a shot to star on her own series entitled “These Friends of Mines”. The title changed in season 1 to “Ellen”. Ellen played a bookstore owner. For four season the show’s popularity and success were mediocre. But Ellen used the series to announce her sexuality in an awe inspiring and inspirational episode. She came out to Oprah Winfrey, who played her therapist. The episode created massive buzz and made headlines. Through the series’ short run that episode is still remembered and considered a milestone in the entertainment industry.
Ellen wed her girlfriend actress Portia Di Rossi in 2008. They wed in 2008 before the passage of the Proposition 8 which denied gay and lesbians the right to marry.
Ellen’s biggest career break came in 2003 when she began hosting her own daytime talk show The Ellen Degeneres Show. The current broadcast time was occupied by “The Caroline Rhea Show” which was canceled after one season. The daytime talk show not only interviews celebrities, entertainers, and showcase musical performances, Ellen also uses her comedic roots in a majority of the show’s moments. The show features a series of comedic gags and pranks that are played on the studio audience, viewers and celebrity guest. She also showcases viral videos and interviews internet sensations.
In 2013 Ellenn’s talk show was picked up for four more season in syndication.
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