Ellen DeGeneres is an American comedian who hosts a famous daytime talk show. She is best known to young audiences for providing the voice of the loving but forgetful fish Dory in the blockbuster animated film “Finding Nemo” in 2003.
This part wonderfully caught her rambling, comical delivery that seemed unrehearsed. DeGeneres rose through the ranks of stand-up comedy in the 1980s and early 1990s before she launched her television career in the mid-1990s with the launch of her program “Ellen.”
Ellen DeGeneres' Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches 165 cm m |
|---|---|
| Weight | 140 lbs 64 kg |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Body Type | Skinny |
| Sexual Orientation | Lesbian |
Facts About Ellen DeGeneres
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Estimate Net Worth | $490 million |
| Religion | Christian |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Birthplace | Metairie, Louisiana, USA |
| Birthday | January 26, 1958 |
Ellen DeGeneres' Net Worth
The “Ellen DeGeneres Show” host, actress, producer, brand ambassador, and stand-up comedian has a sizable net worth. As of November 2022, Ellen DeGeneres’ estimated net worth is $490 million. The program has earned eighty accolades throughout its lengthy run on television.
As of 2017, it is estimated that the 64-year-old celebrity makes $50 million yearly from “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” which made its premiere in September 2003. She is not only successful because of her fantastic hosting skills, dancing, and sense of humor, but she also has a clever contract that grants her a share of the show’s income from product placement, advertising, and carrying fees totaling roughly 60%.
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Ellen DeGeneres' Early Life
Born in Metairie, Louisiana, on the 26th of January 1958, Ellen Lee DeGeneres’ father, Elliott, worked as an insurance agent while her mother, Elizabeth, was a speech therapist.
In 1974, after her parents divorced, her mother remarried and lived with her new spouse. Even though Ellen and her mother moved to New Orleans, her brother Vance decided to stay in Louisiana with his father. He is now a musician and record producer.
DeGeneres didn’t have a great relationship with her stepfather either. When she was 16 or 17, he molested her, which had a severe impact on her. She was employed by J.C. Penney and worked as a TGI Fridays waitress, hostess, house painter, and bartender.
Ellen DeGeneres' Education
Ellen DeGeneres once went to Atlanta High School and took school there for a spell. She later changed schools and graduated from Grace King High School. Later, Ellen DeGeneres attended the University of New Orleans, where she obtained her Communications bachelor’s degree. (1)
Ellen DeGeneres' Relationships
Anne Heche (1997 - 2020)
The romance between Anne Heche and Ellen DeGeneres was ground-breaking. Due to their romance, the pair gained media attention. Being one of the open-gay couple relationships in Hollywood, they later struggled due to public criticism. (2)
Despite the public’s prying eyes, the couple was very active in representing the LGBTQ community. Three and a half years of dating resulted in Heche and DeGeneres separated in 2000.
Alexandra Hedison (2020 - 2004)
Ellen DeGeneres and Alexandra Hedison started dating in 2001, not long after DeGeneres ended her well-known union with actor Anne Heche. Hedison claimed that while she was attracted to DeGeneres, it did not happen immediately. Before they clicked, Hedison and DeGeneres had several encounters. (3)
Portia de Rossi (2004 - present)
DeGeneres and de Rossi met for the first time In 2001 during the “Rock the Vote” concert. Over the following few years, the two would cross paths numerous times, but de Rossi kept her love for the charming woman a secret. Francesca Gregorini and De Rossi were already involved at the time. She eventually ended her relationship with Gregorini because she could not deny her feelings for DeGeneres.
In 2004, they began dating, and in 2005, they moved in together. DeGeneres and Rossi wed on August 16, 2008, barely two months after California legalized same-sex unions for the first time, in a ceremony with 19 guests at their Los Angeles home. Two years after their wedding, Portia adopted DeGenere’s family name and legally changed her name from Portia de Rossi to Portia Lee James DeGeneres.
Ellen DeGeneres' Career
Stand-Up Comedian
Ellen started working in coffee shops and small clubs doing stand-up comedy while working on some odd jobs simultaneously. She also worked as an emcee at Clyde’s Comedy Club in New Orleans in 1981. She began doing stand-up acts all over the US in the early 1980s. She became Showtime’s “Funniest Person in America” in 1984.
Actress
The Fox sitcom “Open House” gave her her first regular role in 1989; in 1992, she landed a part on the comparatively brief-lived “Laurie Hill;” and the producers were so impressed with DeGeneres that they decided to cast her in their subsequent ABC pilot, “These Friends of Mine,” after seeing her in the Fox sitcom.
The program took on the name “Ellen” in its second season. Ellen was canceled in May 1998 due to a decline in ratings brought on by ABC’s reduced promotion.
After the cancellation of her series, DeGeneres started performing stand-up again. In 2001, she returned with the CBS sitcom “The Ellen Show,” which was canceled after 13 episodes. She is behind the voice of Dory in “Finding Nemo” in 2003 and “Finding Dory” in 2012.
TV Show Host
In 2003, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” debuted and has become one of the most popular talk shows on daytime television. The show has received several Emmy Awards in its first three seasons.
However, on May 12, 2021, DeGeneres announced that the twentieth season would be the show’s last season. Rumors were spreading that she intended to end the show because its ratings plummeted due to controversies regarding hostile workplace culture. DeGeneres, however, did not confirm the issue.
Entrepreneur
Aside from TV, DeGeneres ventured into producing shows. She founded “A Very Good Producing,” her production firm. It is renowned for creating the enduring television program “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
The renowned style, principles, and personality of creator Ellen DeGeneres inspired the lifestyle company, “ED Ellen DeGeneres.” Ellen, who is passionate about interior design, architecture, and fashion, created this exquisitely crafted collection of apparel, home goods, and pet supplies. Customers are encouraged by the ED Ellen DeGeneres brand to embrace and express their unique style and personality in all facets of their lives. (4)
In 2014, the clever celebrity founded the website “Ellentube,” which features only video content from her talk show. In 2015, DeGeneres collaborated with Vessel to release some segments of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
Author
Ellen Degeneres is also a best-selling author who has published several books in her lifetime. At first, she was hesitant when she was asked to write a book, but when she started writing, she realized that many things were worth noting.
In 2015, DeGeneres published her interior design book “Home,” which featured images and decorating advice from several of their homes, both past, and current.
Brand Ambassador
DeGeneres has also ventured into the world of cosmetics. She was chosen to represent Covergirl in 2009. She has also worked as an American Express and JCPenney spokesperson.
Ellen DeGeneres' Controversies
I made one of my employees cry like a baby on today’s show. Honestly, it felt good.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) June 5, 2009
DeGeneres and her producers faced criticism in 2020 for the alleged maltreatment of employees on her daytime talk program. She officially apologized for not always living up to her “Be Kind Lady” moniker on the Season 18 premiere after the controversy led to the firing of three executive producers. (5)
Distributor Warner Bros. has hired consultants to investigate the claims after receiving numerous complaints about a hostile work environment on the comedian’s set.
Ellen DeGeneres' Activism and Humanitarian Works
I love when people come together in peace like they did at the #WomensMarch. I also love a good sign. https://t.co/KgfGfYgCem
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 25, 2017
Ellen DeGeneres advocates for many causes, such as helping orphans, underprivileged kids, lesbians, gay people, women, abuse victims, and people with AIDS and HIV.
DeGeneres became a supporter of the LGBT rights movement after coming out as gay in 1997. This is clear from her remarks at the memorial service for Matthew Shepard, who was murdered because of his sexual orientation, and her campaigns against Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex unions in California but was later declared unconstitutional.
The “Be Kind” anti-bullying PSA that DeGeneres produced to collect money for groups like the Pacer Center and Trevor Project that work to combat bullying. In addition, she founded the Halo Pet Foundation, whose objectives are to aid homeless animals, end animal abuse, and encourage responsible pet ownership. (6)
Additionally, Ellen DeGeneres supports various organizations and has received countless accolades for her philanthropic work.
DeGeneres recently became aware of The Gentle Barn, which provides housing and medical care for abused animals. DeGeneres requests donations from her audience on her website.
DeGeneres started the “Small Change Campaign” in support of Feeding America alongside Ben Affleck. Ellen contributes to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund through the American Red Cross.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is supported by DeGeneres’ Ellen for the Cure campaign, which she runs on her television program during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On her show, she frequently distributes gifts and donations. (7)
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Ellen DeGeneres' Real Estate & Other Properties
The couple’s overall number of homes is unknown, but according to real estate magazine Dirt, DeGeneres sold a Beverly Hills property for $45 million in April. She and DeGeneres invested the money in Montecito, California, up the coast, where they acquired a $49 million property from comedian Dennis Miller in 2020. Since then, they allegedly added a $14.3 million ranch and a $2.9 million house in town. (8)
In 2015, DeGeneres published her interior design book “Home,” which featured images and decorating advice from several of their homes, both past, and current.
Ellen DeGeneres’ has an enormous collection of cars. There are hundreds of them valued at millions of dollars. She enjoys driving opulent vehicles. DeGeneres currently has a couple of luxury vehicles, including Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche.
References
- Steve Bennett, Ellen DeGeneres Net Worth 2022: Biography Career Earnings, retrieved from https://caknowledge.com/ellen-degeneres-net-worth/
- Dory Jackson, A Look Back at Anne Heche’s Watershed Relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, retrieved from https://people.com/tv/a-look-back-at-anne-heche-relationship-with-ellen-degeneres/
- Treva Bowdoin, The Truth About Ellen DeGeneres’ Relationship With Jodie Foster’s Wife, retrieved from https://www.nickiswift.com/350254/the-truth-about-ellen-degeneres-relationship-with-jodie-fosters-wife/?utm_campaign=clip
- Alecsandra Tubiera, How does Ellen DeGeneres spend her US$370 million net worth? The world’s top-paid TV host really likes Porsche sports cars, Rolex watches and luxury real estate, retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3133793/how-does-ellen-degeneres-spend-her-us370-million-net?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3133793
- Jessica Sager, What’s Ellen DeGeneres Net Worth? Here’s How She Turned Her Message of Kindness Into a Lot of Money, retrieved from https://parade.com/1091117/jessicasager/ellen-degeneres-net-worth/
- Web Post, Ellen DeGeneres, retrieved from https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/ellen-degeneres/
- Web Post, Ellen DeGeneres Charity Work, Events and Causes, retrieved from https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/ellen-degeneres
- Web Post, Ellen DeGeneres Net Worth, retrieved from https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-comedians/ellen-degeneres-net-worth/