Ellen DeGeneres (born January 26 1958) Ellen DeGeneres is an American comedian best known as the host of her talk show 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'.
Net worth: Ellen DeGeneres' net worth is $250 million according to Celebrity Net Worth (2010).
Childhood: Ellen DeGeneres was born in Metairie, Louisiana. Her parents were speech therapist Elizabeth Jane 'Betty' Pfeffer and insurance agent Elliott Everett DeGeneres; the couple divorced in 1974. She was brought up as Christian Scientist until her early teens. DeGeneres attended Atlanta High School before majoring in communication studies at The University Of New Orleans. She soon dropped out to work with her cousin at a law firm. Among her other jobs were selling clothes at the Lakeside Shopping Centre and J.C. Penney, waitressing at TGI Friday's, painting houses, hostessing and bartending.
Career Ellen: DeGeneres' stand-up comedy career began in small venues. She emceed at Clyde's Comedy Club in New Orleans before touring around the country. By 1982, she had been dubbed Showtime's Funniest Person in America. She appeared on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' in 1986. DeGeneres featured in 'Open House' and the film 'Coneheads'. She was cast in the sitcom 'Laurie Hill' in 1992 by producers Neal Marlens and Carol Black to play Nurse Nancy MacIntrye. The show was soon cancelled, however Marlens and Black enjoyed her performance so much that they cast her in their pilot 'These Friends Of Mine'; a show which was later titled 'Ellen' and ran between 1994 and 1998. The show hit huge ratings after she came out as homosexual. As part of a new attraction named 'Ellen's Energy Adventure' at 'Universe of Energy' - a pavillion at Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park - she appeared in a series of three films. The ride opened in 1996. DeGeneres landed her first recurring TV role as Margo Van Meter in 'Open House', starring alongside Alison LaPlaca and Mary Page Keller. In 2003, DeGeneres started her daytime talk show, 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'. The show won 25 Primetime Emmys over the course of the first three series. In 2006, she flew her graduating class to California to appear on the show during their 30 year anniversary reunion. In 2009, she celebrated the 1000th episode with guests including Oprah Winfrey, Justin Timberlake and Paris Hilton. DeGeneres replaced judge Paula Abdul on 'American Idol' for the ninth season, but left the show after that season despite a 5 season contract. DeGeneres is also known for hosting the worlds biggest award ceremonies, among them being the 2001 and 2005 Emmys, the 1996 and 1997 Grammys and 79th and 86th Oscars. DeGeneres has also done some voice acting, most notably as a fish with short term memory less named Dory in the animated film 'Finding Nemo,' which won her a handful of awards such as a Saturn Award, a Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award for 'Favourite Voice from an Animated Movie' and an Annie Award for 'Outstanding Voice Acting'. She also lent her voice to a dog in 'Dr. Dolittle'. DeGeneres won American Express an Emmy for their 2006 commercial featuring her working with animals. In 2008, DeGeneres began working with Cover Girl Cosmetics, but was criticised due to her animal rights values clashing with Cover Girl's use of animal testing. As of 2010 DeGeneres has her own record label called Eleveneleven. Greyson Chance was the first acted the label signed.
Personal Life: Ellen DeGeneres is openly homosexual. She had a relationship with actress Anne Heche which lasted from 1997 to 2000. She then dated Alexandria Hedison from 2001 to 2004, before entering into a relationship with Portia De Rossi who she married in 2008. DeGeneres is vegan and a 'big animal lover', running a vegan outreach program called 'Going Vegan with Ellen'. Her work to protect animals had her named 'Woman of the Year' by PETA in 2009. In 2010, DeGeneres was the campaign ambassador to Farm Sanctuary's 'Adopt A Turkey' Project, which asked people to start a new Thanksgiving tradition of adopting a turkey to replace the current tradition of eating one.
Biography by Contactmusic.com
