MAIN Art & ... Pop Culture TV Stars Ellen DeGeneres

Most recently in the news - for having taken over the judges seat in 2009 formerly held by Paul Abdul on American Idol - the stand-up comedian and hugely successful U.S. TV talk show host was born Ellen Lee DeGeneres in Metairie, Louisiana on January 26, 1958.

DeGeneres' comedic talent was said to have been evident early on - as she tried to cheer her mother through a bout of depression and relocation to New Orleans, following her parent's divorce.

Following high school in 1976, DeGeneres spent a semester at the University of New Orleans, but dropped out to persue a career in standup, working her way from local clubs and TV shows to win Showtime's Funniest Person in America contest in 1982.

What really sealed her reputation was a famous debut on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show in 1986, when she became the first female comic to be honored with a "couch" interview following her routine.

Afterward, her career exploded with a cross-country tour, a handful of cable TV specials, followed by small roles on the short-lived sitcoms, Duet and Open House.

By the early 90's, DeGeneres starred in her own sitcom, These Friends of Mine which was later revamped as Ellen, a big hit that ran for four seasons and garnered the actress two Emmy nominations.

The show reached its height In 1997, when DeGeneres made national headlines after publicly declaring that she was a lesbian and announced that in an upcoming episode, her television character would also do the same.

In April 1997, the "outing" episode became one of the highest rated of the season. At the same time, her relationship with former Another World actress Anne Heche turned into fodder for the tabloid press.

Ellen was cancelled the following year, but DeGeneres tried again a few years later with a quickly cancelled sitcom, The Ellen Show.

Her current claim to fame has been the continuing success of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which was nominated for 11 and won four Daytime Emmys in its first year, including Best Talk Show in 2003. More praise was heaped upon DeGeneres that year for a signature standup performance on cable TV entitled Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now, and for her role as the memory-challenged "Dory" in the animated film Finding Nemo.

In 2006, Degeneres brought home a pair of People's Choice Awards for Favorite Funny Female Star and Favorite Daytime Talkshow Host, beating out odds-on favorite Oprah Winfrey for the honor.

DeGeneres also took hosting duties at the 79th Annual Oscar Awards in 2007.

Off the set, Ellen has been in a relationship with actress Portia de Rossi whom she married following a state Supreme Court ruling making gay marriage legal within the state of California.

The wedding took place on August 16, 2008 with Ellen wearing white trousers and tux vest while Portia was decked out in a flowing white wedding dress. The ceremony took place in the couple's Beverly Hills home attended only by close friends and family.

Shortly after, Ellen announced that she had been chosen as a spokesperson for the makeup giant CoverGirl with a new campaign featuring DeGeneres beginning in January 2009.

In yet another surprise move, in September 2009, Ellen made the startling announcement that she would be replacing Paula Abdul in the 9th season of American Idol, becoming the much-anticipated 4th judge on the full-time panel. While keeping night hours on the popular FOX megahit, DeGeneres will continue to keep her day job as host of one of America's most popular talk shows.

Ellen DeGeneres Show - The official site featuring video clips, pictures, episode guide, fun stuff, and ticket information on attending the live taping in Burbank.

Ellen DeGeneres - Wikipedia - The online encyclopedia with a hyperlinked autobiography, photo, related links.

Ellen DeGeneres - Topix.net - Headline news about the TV star from various sources around the Web.

Ellen DeGeneres : Here and Now - Info and video clips from the star's 2003 HBO special.

also see in TV -> Oprah Winfrey