Ellen DeGeneres is taking a deep dive into her life and career in her upcoming Netflix special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval.
Although The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022, she’s opening up once more to share her journey of being “kicked out of show business” multiple times.
We’ve put together a timeline of Ellen’s career, from her start in the ’80s to her iconic Presidential Medal of Freedom moment.
1981: Comedy Kickoff
Ellen started her comedy career in Louisiana after leaving the University of New Orleans. She became the emcee at Clyde’s Comedy Club in 1981 and soon began touring nationally.
“I’m driving down the street in the French Quarter, and there was a sign that said ‘Opening Soon: Clyde’s Comedy Corner’ up on this banister. And I went inside and I asked if the owner was there, and he happened to be there. I told him that I was a comedian and could I be the emcee every night,” she remembered in one interview about her early break.
1986: Johnny Carson’s Show
Ellen’s big break came when she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Her performance included a hilarious bit where she awkwardly calls God. Carson praised her as “fresh” and “clever,” inviting her to return anytime. Her fame grew with more club bookings and an HBO special.
1989-1990: TV Beginnings
Ellen landed her first regular TV role on Fox’s Open House, which aired from 1989 to 1990 and focused on a real estate firm.
1994: Sitcom Success
She starred in These Friends of Mine, later renamed Ellen. The show, which ran for five seasons, followed bookstore owner Ellen Morgan.
“I was laughing out loud when I read the script,” she told The New York Times in a 1994 interview. “I knew what I could do with it. I wanted to do a smarter, hipper version of I Love Lucy, only don’t take it so far that I’m in a man’s suit with a mustache trying to fool Ricky that I’m not his wife. I wanted a show that everybody talks about the next day.”
1997: Coming Out
In the ’90s, Ellen came out as gay on the cover of Time magazine with the headline “Yep, I’m Gay.” That same year, her character on Ellen also came out in an episode called “The Puppy Episode.” It drew 42 million viewers and won two Emmy Awards.
It’s amazing how brave she was during those times.
2001-2002: Another Try
Ellen launched another sitcom in 2001 called The Ellen Show, but it was canceled after 13 episodes.
2003: Major Comeback
Ellen voiced Dory in Finding Nemo in 2003, a huge hit that led to a sequel in 2016. She also launched The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which became famous for its humor, giveaways, and celebrity pranks.
2004–2016: TV Domination
The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired for 19 seasons and won 64 Daytime Emmy Awards. Ellen also appeared on various TV shows and hosted the Oscars and Emmys.
2018–2020: Stand-Up Return
Ellen returned to stand-up with Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable on Netflix in 2018. The special received rave reviews and led to her receiving the Carol Burnett Award in 2020.
2020–2022: Controversy
In 2020, allegations about a toxic work environment on her show surfaced. Ellen apologized to her staff, saying, “I told everyone … that [Ellen] would be a place of happiness — no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry.” The show ended in 2022.
2024: Final Special
Ellen’s Netflix special, For Your Approval, will be her final comedy special, touching on her quirky personality, OCD, and public scrutiny. Fans are eager to see her last hurrah in comedy.