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Introduction
Born January 26, 1958 in Metairie Lousiana, Ellen Degeneres is best known as an american stand-up comedian, a TV host, and an actress. Along with her other accomplishments, Ellen is a strong supporter of gay rights and animal rights. Still today Degeneres serves as a leader and an inspiration to many ("Ellen Degeneres"). -
Ellen Reveals her sexuality
Staring in a sitcom called "Ellen" in 1994 Ellen portrayed a lesbian. In turn, she had been questioned multiple times about her sexuality. Not many people knew about her sexual orientation because she kept it private. It wasn't until 1997 when she revealed herself as a lesbian. As a result, she was put on the cover of TIME magazine with the headline: "Yep, I'm gay" (Zahedi, Firooz).The image reflects Ellen's outgoing personality and her comedic ability to make a serious subject more humorous. -
Interview with Oprah
Interview with Oprah In 1997 Ellen went on Oprah to talk about the emotional struggle she had with holding in the secret of her sexuality. In the interview, Oprah says Ellen is a great example of what good can come from letting go of the lie that is in your life. After coming out, Ellen seems to be happier with who she is and where she is in her life ("Ellen DeGeneres Stands in Her Truth"). -
Ellen Writes her third book: "Seriously...I'm Kidding"
In her book she wrote comedic quotes as well as inspirational quotes. One quote in particular stood out as both inspirational and humorous: “I personally like being unique.I like being my own person with my own style and my own opinions and my own toothbrush" (DeGeneres 36). Ellen is saying that you shouldn't try to be someone you're not.Be who you are because that is the best thing you can be.This quote is a great example of how Ellen's writing can be thought-provoking as well as whimsical. -
Ellen Claims Top Humor Prize
In 2012, DeGeneres was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. She received the prize in Washington, DC where other comedians have accepted the honorable prize before, like Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Will Ferrell, and Tina Fey (Rogers, Alex). Ellen's acceptance speech was as funny as it was heartfelt. She talked about how far she's made it from starting out by selling vacuum cleaners to now making it as a well-known, inspirational comedian. -
Episode of the Ellen Degeneres Show
Since 2003 the Ellen Degeneres show has been on air. Due to its popularity, her show has risen to the top of many other daytime talk shows. In this particular episode there was a perfomance from the popular singer Lorde and a guest appearcance from Jack Black. Ellen's show is a great example of how lively of a person she is, how she makes all her guests feel comfortable being there, and how she transformed the typical daytime talk show into a fun experience for all ages ("Jack Black, Lorde").
