Ellen DeGeneres is an American actress, television host and stand-up comedienne. She has won many prestigious awards for her outstanding performance in various television series and had also made her name for herself as a host of awards show. A wonderful television host, Ellen DeGeneres, has made several contributions to society. She helps many organizations, and has won numerous awards for her charitable efforts.
Ellen DeGeneres was born on January 26, 1958, in Metairie, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Elliott DeGeneres, an insurance agent and Betty DeGeneres, a voice communication therapist. Her brother Vance DeGeneres is a musician and producer. After completing her basic education at Grace King High School in Louisiana, she graduated from Atlanta High School in May 1976, and then moved back to New Orleans to study communication in the University of New Orleans. After one semester, she left the University to work as a clerk in a law organization with her cousin Gillen. Prior to stepping into television, she has worked as a waitress in many restaurants, a bartender, a hostess and a house painter. She relates much of her career experiences and childhood in her comedienne work.
Ellen began comic acting at coffee houses and small clubs. During early 1980s, Ellen started to tour nationwide, being called Showtime's Funniest Person in America. In 1986, she has been seen for the first time on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and after her performance, she has been invited by Carson for an onscreen chat and, she became the first comedian in the show's history to be treated this way. During 1980s and 1990s, Ellen appeared in many television shows also in films like Coneheads. The success of the sitcom Ellen, named These Friends of Mine during its first season, was due to Ellen's comedy. Her style of humor was liked by everyone and thus her shows became widely popular. In February 1997, DeGeneres attained a height of popularity, when she made her homosexuality public on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Apart from a comedienne, she also re-established herself as a successful talk show host.
Ellen hosted the televised broadcast of the Emmy Awards on November 4, 2001 and has received wide exposure. In September 2003, she launched a daytime television talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The show has won 25 Emmy awards in its first three seasons on the air. Ellen is known for her singing and dancing with the audience at the beginning of the show and during commercial breaks. She frequently gives away trips and free prizes to her studio audience with the aid of her sponsors.
DeGeneres is well-known for her stand-up comedy and also as a talk show host. She has also contributed immensely for numerous charitable events. Through American Red Cross, she supports the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.
