Ellen+DeGeneres

=Ellen DeGeneres=

**__Early Life__**
Ellen DeGeneres was born in Metairie, Louisiana on January 26, 1958. She attended the Atlanta High school and graduated in 1976, then went to the University of New Orleans. After Ellen DeGeneres dropped out after only one semester, she continued onto stand up comedy and other small jobs. This launched her career in comedy, and went on to emcee Clyde's Comedy Club in 1981.

Ever since she was in the Clyde's Comedy Club, she grew to be very popular all over the United States and was named the funniest person in America in the 1980's. She began to play minor roles in television shows on "//Open House//" and "//Laurie Hill//". Also, she later began her own sit-com that was named "//Ellen//". The show was canceled because of declining ratings, and Ellen DeGeneres went back to stand-up comedy and started "//The Ellen Show//" in 2001. However, that was canceled also because of low ratings. Later in 2003, DeGeneres started her own talk show, "//Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show".// The show had great reviews and ever since it launched, Ellen had already received 15 Emmy Awards and the show was the first to ever receive an Emmy in the first three seasons.
 * __Caree__**r

__**Coming Out**__ Though Ellen was very famous, she had one obstacle she needed to get around; coming out. In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres announced that she was a lesbian around the same time that her sit-com character on the show //Ellen//. Some people were enraged about this while other gays were very supportive. When she came out as a lesbian, it effected many people, including her family. Her mother was incredibly supportive of her, and to show that, she became an outspoken advocate for gay rights. Only for a little while people were very disappointed in her, and angry as well. She dealt with it, and still was very famous. After coming out about her sexual orientation, not many peoples opinions about her changed, she is still amazing at what she does.

__**Now**__ Now, Ellen DeGeneres is still on her talk show, and will be for a while. She has also been the host for many award shows such as the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2001 and 2005, the Grammy Awards in 1996 and 1997, and Oscars in 2007. She has succeeded in many ways, and for most gays, coming out is the hardest part they will have to do. Ellen achieved that and is happy where she is right now.