Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres 

Ellen Lee DeGeneres, is an American comedian, television host, actress, wrote, and producer. She starred in the popular sitcom Ellen from 1994 to 1998, and has hosted her syndicated TV talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, since 2003. 

Her stand-up career started in the early 1980s, culminating in a 1986 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Carson likened her to Bob Newhart, and invited her for an onscreen chat after her set; DeGeneres was the first female comedian invited by the ionic host to join him for such a discussion, at a time when such an invitation was widely regarded as one of the most influential endorsements available for a comic. As an actress Ellen also starred in movies, Mr. Wong, Finding memo (the voice of Dori) and  The love letter. 

DeGeneres graduated from Atlanta High School in May 1976, after completing her first years of high school at Grace King High School in Metairie, Louisiana She moved back to New Orleans to attend the University of New Orleans where she majored in communication studies. After one semester, she left school to do clerical work in a law firm with a cousin, Laura Gillen. She also held a job selling clothes at the chain store the Merry-Go-Round at the Lakeside Shopping Center. Her early jobs included working at J.C Penny, and being a waitress at T.G.I Frida's and another restaurant, a house painter, a hostess, and a bartender. She relates much of her childhood and career experiences in her comedic work. 

In 2015, Forbes estimated DeGeneres' net worth at US$75 million.  In 2015, she was named the 50th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes and number two on the World Pride Power list.

She is a fan of the National football league, and has shown particular support for the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. In 2011, she attended a Saints practice dressed as Packers Hall of Famer Don Hutson.

In 1997, DeGeneres came out as lesbian. The bold disclosure of her sexual orientation sparked clamorous interest by American tabloids.The contentiousness of the media coverage stunted DeGeneres' professional career and left her "mired in depression”. In her book Love, Ellen, DeGeneres' mother, Betty DeGeneres describes being initially shocked when her daughter came out, but has become one of her strongest supporters; she is also an active member of Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaigns Coming out Project.