Ellen DeGeneres

Guide Note

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres started performing at comedy clubs in the early 1980s, and by 1986 had established herself as a successful comedian with her first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

Her comedy routines parlayed into the successful sitcom Ellen in the mid-1990s. She attempted another, less popular sitcom, before premiering The Ellen DeGeneres Show in September 2003.

DeGeneres has been domestic partners with actress Portia de Rossi since 2004.

Fast Facts

1. Born: January 26, 1958
2. Birthplace: Metairie, Louisiana
3. Daytime Emmy Wins: 7
4. Emmy Wins: 1
5. Golden Globe Nominations: 3
6. Previous girlfriends: Anne Heche, Alexandra Hedison
7. April 1997: DeGeneres' character on Ellen revealed she was a lesbian
8. 1996, 1997: Hosted the Grammy Awards
9. 2001, 2005: Hosted the Emmy Awards
10. 2007: Hosted the Academy Awards

In a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show on May 15, 2008, DeGeneres told the audience that she and de Rossi will "tie the knot." The audience is said to have erupted in applause and gave a standing ovation. The segment is set to air on May 16, 2008.

Despite competition in her time slot, The Ellen DeGeneres Show premiered with strong ratings and was nominated for 11 Daytime Emmys in its first season.

DeGeneres dances as a primary feature on the show, often during commercial breaks. The show's style sometimes resembles a late night comedy show rather than a daytime talk show. For example, DeGeneres hosted the show from a hospital bed in May 2007 because of a back injury and asked her guests to sit in hospital beds as well during the interviews.