Ellen DeGeneres

As famous for her personal life as her career, DeGeneres initially came to prominence as a stand-up comedian. Championed by late-night talk-show host Johnny Carson, the tomboyish blonde made numerous appearances on his show in the '80s before landing her own eponymous sitcom in 1994. Although there was a lot of gossip surrounding DeGeneres' sexual orientation, she was silent on the subject until 1997, when she — and her small-screen alter ego — came out, along with her then-lover Anne Heche. The episode sparked controversy and kicked open the closet door for lesbian actresses. Unfortunately, the show was canceled the next season. After a handful of bad movies and an unsuccessful second sitcom, DeGeneres finally found her niche hosting her own daytime talk show and new love with small-screen siren Portia de Rossi. In 2007, she achieved a longtime dream by hosting the Academy Awards.Ellen DeGeneres Fast Facts:

• Before entering show business, bartended, sold clothes, shucked oysters, peddled vacuums, waited tables and worked as a paralegal.
• Dropped out of the University of New Orleans after one semester.
• Performed her first stand-up routine in a New Orleans club in 1980, which revolved around consuming a Whopper, fries and a milk shake.
• In 1982, participated in a Showtime stand-up competition and was voted the Funniest Person in America for her "conversation with God" monologue.
• Named Best Female Comedy Club Stand-up at the 1991 American Comedy Awards.
• Was originally offered Sandra Bullock's role in the 1994 action film Speed but turned it down. Also turned down an offer to be one of the regulars in Friends.
• "The jury is still out on my career," she told TV Guide in 1997. "Let's see if I can accomplish what I want to accomplish, which is getting over stereotypes."
• Authored My Point… And I Do Have One and The Funny Thing Is…, both best-sellers.

• Ellen DeGeneres Relationships:
• Anne Heche - Ex-significant Other
• Betty DeGeneres - Mother
• Elliott DeGeneres - Father
• Portia de Rossi - Wife
• Vance DeGeneres - Brother
• Ellen DeGeneres Awards:
• 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
• 2009 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Talk Show Host - Winner
• 2008 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Talk Show Host - Winner
• 1995 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Series - Winner
• 2008 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Funny Female Star - Winner
• 2007 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Talk Show Host - Winner
• 2007 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Funny Female Star - Winner
• 2006 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Talk Show - Winner
• 2006 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Funny Female - Winner
• 2005 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Daytime Talk Show Host - Winner
• 2005 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Funny Female - Winner
• 1995 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
• 1996 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
• 1998 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
• 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
• 1996 Emmy: Outstanding Performance for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
• 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
• 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
• 1995 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
• 1996 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress for a Comedy Series - Nominee
• 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
• 1998 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
• 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Made for Television Movie - Nominee
• 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
• 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
• 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series - Winner
• College:
• Attended University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA