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A beloved television icon and entertainment pioneer, Ellen DeGeneres' distinctive comic voice has resonated with audiences from her first stand-up comedy appearances through her work today on television, in film and in the literary world.
Ellen DeGeneres has made a home for herself in the daytime arena with her hit syndicated talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The show debuted on September 8 th, 2003 and won four Daytime Emmys in its freshman year, including Outstanding Talk Show after garnering 12 Daytime Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Talk Show Host. The number of nominations was the most for any talk show this year. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” begins its second season September 6 th, 2004.
Prior to the launch of her talk show, DeGeneres scored a rare coup last year with simultaneous achievements on stage, film and in publishing. She enjoyed unprecedented popular and critical response to her character, “Dory,” the fish with extreme short-term memory, in the blockbuster Disney/Pixar animated feature film, “Finding Nemo.” In addition, DeGeneres was nominated for a 2004 MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance for her work in the film.
Meanwhile, DeGeneres crossed the country on a 35-city stand-up comedy tour, entitled the “Here and Now” tour. The series of shows concluded with a performance at the famed Beacon Theater in New York, which was taped for HBO. The resulting special aired on June 28, 2003 and scored higher ratings than any HBO comedy special had in years.
Finally, in October, Simon & Schuster published DeGeneres’ second book, “The Funny Thing Is…,” comprised of the author's comedic short stories and essays. The book quickly hit “The New York Times” bestseller list.
On television, DeGeneres also found time last year for a guest stint on FOX's “The Bernie Mac Show.” She made a guest starring appearance this season on HBO’s “Six Feet Under.”
A performer with a keen sense of comedy in the moment, DeGeneres garnered rave reviews for her performance hosting the 2001 Primetime Emmy Awards. Taking the reins of the high profile event with assuredness, she provided a perfect balance of wit with heartfelt emotion and gave the post-September 11th telecast audience a reason to laugh.
DeGeneres’ career began as an emcee at a local comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans, which led to national recognition in 1982 when her videotaped club performances won Showtime’s “Funniest Person In America.” When DeGeneres moved to Los Angeles she filmed her first HBO Special “Young Comedians Reunion,” then in 1986 “Women of the Night.” That same year, DeGeneres scored a “first” by becoming the only comedienne to be summoned by Johnny Carson to sit down with him after her performance. DeGeneres went on to receive a Cable Ace nomination in 1989 for her “Command Performance: One Night Stand” special, and was named “Best Female Stand-Up” at the 1991 American Comedy Awards.
DeGeneres began her acting career in television on Fox’s sitcom, “Open House.” She moved on to ABC’s “Laurie Hill,” prior to being offered “These Friends of Mine” by ABC. After the first season, the show was renamed “Ellen.” Running from 1994 to 1998, the series garnered record ratings, with DeGeneres receiving Emmy nominations each season in the “Best Actress” category. In 1997 DeGeneres was the recipient of the coveted Peabody Award as well as earning an Emmy for writing the critically acclaimed “Puppy Episode” when her character came out as a gay woman to a record 46 million viewers. DeGeneres followed with the CBS sitcom, “The Ellen Show,” which ran from 2001 to 2002.
In the course of producing and starring in “Ellen,” DeGeneres received numerous accolades including The People’s Choice Award in 1995, two Golden Globe nominations and two Screen Actors Guild nominations. Other television credits include executive producing and starring with Sharon Stone in the Emmy-nominated “If These Walls Could Talk II” for HBO, as well as a guest appearance on the “Larry Sanders Show,” for which she received another Emmy nomination.
DeGeneres’ feature film credits includes “EdTV” for director Ron Howard, “The Love Letter” for Dreamworks, New Regency’s “Goodbye Lover,” “Coneheads” and “Mr. Wrong” in which she starred with Bill Pullman.
DeGeneres has also served as host for several industry events including the 38th and 39th Annual Grammy Awards, for which she earned an Emmy nomination, the 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, receiving an American Comedy Award, the VH1 Honors, which garnered her a Cable Ace Award, VH1 “Diva’s Las Vegas” and “The Saturday Night Live Christmas Special.”
In 1995, her first book “My Point…And I Do Have One” debuted at #1 on “The New York Times” bestseller list, and in 1997 she released her comedy CD, “Taste This.” In July 2000, DeGeneres returned to stand-up, embarking on a three-month tour of major theatres across the country that culminated in her critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated special for HBO, “The Beginning.”
Since she was first nationally recognized in 1982 as a comedian in New Orleans, DeGeneres’ many contributions to the entertainment industry have earned her numerous accolades including a Golden Apple Award as Female Discovery of the Year from the Hollywood Women’s Press Club, a Lucy Award honoring women in Television and Film, as well as an Amnesty International Award.
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