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'''Ellen DeGeneres''' (b. January 26, 1958) is an American actress, stand-up comedian, and host of the syndicated talk show ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show''. She first reached success with her own sitcom called ''These Friends of Mine'', later renamed ''Ellen'' (1994–98).

'''Ellen DeGeneres''' (b. January 26, 1958) is an American actress, stand-up comedian, and host of the syndicated talk show ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show''. She first reached success with her own sitcom called ''These Friends of Mine'', later renamed ''Ellen'' (1994–98).

The ABC show had difficulty finding a formula to bring in a large audience, having frequent cast changes.  While not a ratings hit, it did do well enough to be renewed for four seasons.

The ABC show had difficulty finding a formula to bring in a large audience, having frequent cast changes.  While not a ratings hit, it did do well enough to be renewed for four seasons.

 

Ellen made her [[homosexuality]] public on ''The [[Oprah Winfrey]] Show'' in February 1997, surprising few people.  The resulting media attention highlighting this event (including being put on the front cover of ''[[Time magazine|Time]]'' magazine) caused a stir.  Subsequently, her character on the sitcom came out of the closet in April of that same year, admitting she was gay to her therapist (portrayed by Oprah Winfrey). After a great deal of media attention highlighting the outing episode, entitled "The Puppy Episode," the showing was the highest-rated episode of the sitcom.  But the bounce proved to be short lived.  The show became a constant weekly refrain of lesbian themes and viewers stopped watching rather quickly.  Even Chastity Bono, the media director of the [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation]] criticized the show for going over the top on the gay issue.<ref>http://www.planetout.com/entertainment/news/?sernum=544</ref>  After the ratings rapidly declined, the show was canceled.

Ellen made her [[homosexuality]] public on ''The [[Oprah Winfrey]] Show'' in February 1997, surprising few people.  The resulting media attention highlighting this event (including being put on the front cover of ''[[Time magazine|Time]]'' magazine) caused a stir.  Subsequently, her character on the sitcom came out of the closet in April of that same year, admitting she was gay to her therapist (portrayed by Oprah Winfrey). After a great deal of media attention highlighting the outing episode, entitled "The Puppy Episode," the showing was the highest-rated episode of the sitcom.  But the bounce proved to be short lived.  The show became a constant weekly refrain of lesbian themes and viewers stopped watching rather quickly.  Even Chastity Bono, the media director of the [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation]] criticized the show for going over the top on the gay issue.<ref>http://www.planetout.com/entertainment/news/?sernum=544</ref>  After the ratings rapidly declined, the show was canceled.

 

She is an active member of PFLAG (the United States' first and largest organization uniting parents, families, and allies with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) and a spokesperson for the [[Human Rights Campaign]]'s Coming Out Project.

She is an active member of PFLAG (the United States' first and largest organization uniting parents, families, and allies with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) and a spokesperson for the [[Human Rights Campaign]]'s Coming Out Project.