Biography
Ellen was born on January 26, 1958 in Metairie, Louisiana. After the divorce of her parents, her mother remarried and moved with Ellen to Atlanta, Texas. She attended University of New Orleans and she majored in communication studies. She started performing stand-up comedy at coffee houses and small clubs. In the early 1980s, she began to tour nationally and was named Showtime's Funniest Person in America in 1982. Her comedy material became the basis of the successful 1994–1998 sitcom Ellen, named These Friends of Mine during its first season. The ABC show was popular in its first few seasons due in part to DeGeneres's style of observational humor; it was often referred to as a "female Seinfeld."
In 1997, she came out publicly as a lesbian as an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Although not all states recognize same sex marriage, Ellen has become a major role model for all aspiring same sex couples to fight to legalize their love.
In 1997, she came out publicly as a lesbian as an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Although not all states recognize same sex marriage, Ellen has become a major role model for all aspiring same sex couples to fight to legalize their love.