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Rosie O'Donnell Biography

Birth Name:Roseann O'Donnell

Birth Place:Commack, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Soundtrack, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Donated $5,700,000 to help the relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims in 2006
  • Won a 2002 Lucy Award for her work in enhancing the perception of women on TV
  • Worked in the catalog department at Sears before becoming famous
  • Quote: "I'd always been able to see that everyone else's success was merited—but it seemed like mine must be a fluke․"
  • Quote: "When you don't have that anticipation of wanting to do well, then you might as well not be doing it at all․"
  • Known for uttering the phrase, "What a cutie patootie․"
  • Liked to give gifts to members of the audience at her talk show
  • Practices transcendental meditation twice a day to help with her mood
  • Was voted Class Clown by her classmates during high school
  • Drew attention to laws in Florida that kept gay couples from adopting children in 2002
  • Used the $3 million advance from her memoir to start her For All Kids foundation, which works to institute national standards for daycare in the United States

Awards

  • 1993American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1993MTV Movie Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: nominated
  • 1994American Comedy Award-Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 1994American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1994Stinker Award-Worst Actress: nominated
  • 1995Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1995Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actress: winner
  • 1995Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1995Razzie Award-Worst Screen Couple: nominated
  • 1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1997American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
  • 1997Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: winner
  • 1997Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: nominated
  • 1997Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actress: winner
  • 1997OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
  • 1998American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1998Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: winner
  • 1998Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk/Service Show Host: winner
  • 1998Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Writing: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
  • 1999Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: winner
  • 1999Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Writing - Special Class: nominated
  • 1999Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: winner
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
  • 2000Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: winner
  • 2000Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: winner
  • 2000Blimp Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: winner
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: nominated
  • 2001Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: winner
  • 2001Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: winner
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: nominated
  • 2002Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show: winner
  • 2002Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: winner
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: winner
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Nonfiction Special: nominated
  • 2007Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Talk Show Host: nominated
  • 2007Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress: nominated
  • 2007OFTA Television Award-Best Host of a Talk or Service Show: nominated
  • 2010Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2010Prism Award-Performance in a TV Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 2010WGA Award (TV)-Long Form - Adaptation: nominated
  • 2017Gracie-Ensemble Cast: winner