Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Ellen DeGeneres Biography

Birth Name:Ellen Lee DeGeneres

Birth Place:Metairie, Louisiana, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Named as a Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2011
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016
Became the first female comic to be invited by Johnny Carson to join him on his late night television show as a guest after appearing only once
Served as an ambassador to Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey project in 2010 by encouraging people to adopt a turkey instead of eating one on Thanksgiving
Distantly related to Thomas Fairfax and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Married actress Portia de Rossi in 2008
Worked a series of odd jobs around New Orleans before beginning to perform stand-up at small clubs and coffee houses
Quote: "I just like observing people․ It's something I've done ever since I was a kid, and I got really good at it․ That's a big part of why I became a comedian․ My audience is filled with every kind of person you can imagine, and I love that․"
Co-founded record company eleveneleven to sign artist Greyson Chance after he appeared on her talk show
Made a surprise appearance at the 2006 commencement ceremony at Tulane University where she showed up wearing a bathrobe and furry slippers
Was offered the lead female role in "Speed," but the part went to Sandra Bullock after other casting changes

Awards

1993CableACE-Stand-Up Comedy Special: nominated
1995Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1995Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1996American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
1996Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1996Stinker Award-Worst Actress: nominated
1996Stinker Award-Biggest Acting Stretch: winner
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1997OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: winner
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1997Razzie Award-Worst New Star: nominated
1997Q Award-Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1998American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
1998Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1998OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
1998OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Cable Series: nominated
1998OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Series: nominated
1998OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
1998Q Award-Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
1998WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Comedy: nominated
1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series: nominated
1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: winner
1999Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actress: nominated
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: nominated
2001American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
2001OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer of a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Special: nominated
2001PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2002OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a New Comedy Series: nominated
2003OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
2003OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer of a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Special: winner
2003UFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2004Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2004Annie-Outstanding Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production: winner
2004CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2004Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: nominated
2004Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: winner
2004Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: nominated
2004Gold Derby TV Award-Variety Performer: nominated
2004Blimp Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: winner
2004MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
2004OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
2005Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: winner
2005Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: winner
2005Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: winner
2005OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
2005PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Variety Television: winner
2006Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: winner
2006Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: winner
2006Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: winner
2006PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Variety Television: winner
2007Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: winner
2007Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: winner
2007Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: winner
2007OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
2007PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Variety Television: nominated
2007TV Land Award-TV Moment That Became Headline News: nominated
2008Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: nominated
2008Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: nominated
2008Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: winner
2008OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
2009Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Promotional Announcement - Institutional: winner
2009Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: nominated
2009Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: nominated
2009Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: nominated
2009OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
2010Daytime Emmy-New Approaches - Daytime Entertainment: nominated
2010Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: nominated
2010Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: winner
2010OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Panelist in a Non-Fiction Program: winner
2011Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Promotional Announcement - Institutional: winner
2011Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: winner
2011Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: winner
2011Daytime Emmy-New Approaches - Daytime Entertainment: nominated
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Female Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
2011People's Choice Award-Favorite Talk Show Host: nominated
2011TV Guide Award-Favorite Host: winner
2012Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: winner
2012Daytime Emmy-New Approaches - Daytime Entertainment: nominated
2012Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Promotional Announcement - Institutional: nominated
2012Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: nominated
2012Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Promotional Announcement - Institutional: winner
2012OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Panelist in a Non-Fiction Program: nominated
2012PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television: nominated
2012People's Choice Award-Favorite Daytime TV Host: winner
2012Gold Creator Award-Youtube Creator Reward: winner
2013Daytime Emmy-Outstanding New Approaches - Enhancement to a Daytime Program or Series: winner
2013Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: winner
2013Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: winner
2014Daytime Emmy-Outstanding New Approaches - Enhancement to a Daytime Program or Series: winner
2014Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: winner
2014Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: winner
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Panelist in a Non-Fiction Program: nominated
2015Daytime Emmy-Outstanding New Approaches - Enhancement to a Daytime Program or Series: winner
2015Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Writing - Special Class: nominated
2015Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: winner
2015Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Promotional Announcement - Episodic: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Panelist in a Non-Fiction Program: winner
2016Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Interactive Media - Enhancement to a Daytime Program or Series: winner
2016Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: nominated
2016Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Promotional Announcement - Image: winner
2016Teen Choice Award-Choice Summer Movie Star: Female: winner
2016Voice Arts Award-Outstanding Motion Picture Animation, Best Voiceover: nominated
2016WAFCA Award-Best Voice Performance: nominated
2017EDA Female Focus Award-Best Animated Female: nominated
2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Female Lead Vocal Performance in a Feature Film: nominated
2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
2017Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Writing - Special Class: nominated
2017Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: winner
2017Blimp Award-Most Wanted Pet: nominated
2017Blimp Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: winner
2017Blimp Award-#SQUAD: winner
2017MTV Movie + TV Award-Best Host: nominated
2017OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: winner
2017People's Choice Award-Favorite Comedic Collaboration: winner
2017People's Choice Award-Favorite Animated Movie Voice: winner
2017Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Comedy: winner
2018Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Writing - Special Class: nominated
2018Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment: nominated
2018Gold Derby TV Award-Reality Host: nominated
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Individual Host or Panelist in a Reality or Non-Fiction Program: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: nominated
2019Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show: winner
2019Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Writing Special Class: winner
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Reality Host: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Reality Host of the Decade: nominated
2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: nominated
2020Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Special Class Series: nominated
2020Gold Derby TV Award-Reality Host: nominated
2020Blimp Award-Favorite TV Host: winner
2022Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Non-Fiction Series or Special: winner