Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres Now: Comedian’s Final Stand-Up Special Arrives on Netflix

Ellen DeGeneres is set to release her final stand-up special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, which premieres today, September 24, on Netflix. This marks the comedian’s return to the spotlight after her long-running talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, concluded in June 2022. The show’s ending was overshadowed by allegations from former staff members regarding a “toxic work environment,” which has been a significant topic of discussion in her latest special.

In For Your Approval, DeGeneres addresses the controversies surrounding her departure from the entertainment industry, stating that she has been “kicked out of show business.” She refutes accusations of being “mean” to her staff while acknowledging that she “was a very immature boss” who never aspired to be in a leadership role. Reflecting on her experiences, she expresses relief at no longer holding that position and conveys her happiness in moving forward.

Prior to the release of her special, DeGeneres embarked on Ellen’s Last Stand… Up tour. During a post-performance Q&A in July, she stated, “This is the last time you’re going to see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done,” emphasizing the finality of this chapter in her career.

Who Is Ellen DeGeneres?

Ellen DeGeneres gained fame as a stand-up comedian before starring in her own sitcom, Ellen. In 1997, she made headlines by coming out as gay, subsequently becoming a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights. She went on to host the award-winning The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which aired from 2003 to 2022. In addition to her television career, DeGeneres has lent her voice to several animated films, including the beloved Finding Nemo and its sequel, Finding Dory. She is married to model and actress Portia de Rossi.

Young Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen Lea DeGeneres was born on January 26, 1958, in Metairie, Louisiana, to an insurance salesman and a working mother, Betty DeGeneres. Following her parents’ divorce during her teenage years, Ellen initially aspired to become a veterinarian. However, she later pivoted away from that goal, believing she was “not book smart.” Instead, she took on various jobs, including waiting tables, selling vacuum cleaners, painting houses, and working as a legal secretary.

Ellen’s older brother, Vance, an actor and comedian known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show, was considered the family’s comedic talent. It was not until a public speaking event that Ellen discovered her own knack for humor. Overcoming her fear of the audience by using comedy, she found success and began performing stand-up in 1981, supported both morally and financially by her mother.

Stand-Up Comedy

At the age of 23, Ellen DeGeneres began her journey into stand-up comedy, performing at local coffeehouses. Her major breakthrough came five years later, in 1986, when a booking agent from The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson attended her act at the Improv in Hollywood on a tip from Jay Leno. This performance led to her appearance on The Tonight Show, where she made history as the first female comic invited by Johnny Carson to sit on the iconic couch during her inaugural visit. Following this milestone, DeGeneres became a regular on the talk show circuit, showcasing her talent on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Later with Greg Kinnear, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America. She was also extensively profiled on ABC’s PrimeTime Live.

DeGeneres’s unique blend of kindness and humor quickly established her as a popular choice for hosting major awards shows. She hosted the Grammy Awards in 1996 and 1997, the Emmy Awards in 2001 and 2005, and the Academy Awards in 2007 and 2014.

In addition to her hosting duties, DeGeneres continued to work in stand-up comedy. She received two Emmy Award nominations in 2004 for her HBO special, Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now. After a 15-year hiatus, her first Netflix stand-up special, Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable, premiered in December 2018, followed by her final special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, which debuted in September 2024.

Coming Out on Ellen

DeGeneres’s comedic prowess and authenticity garnered her acclaim as an actor, leading to her own primetime sitcom, Ellen. Originally titled These Friends of Mine, the show was rebranded in 1994 to spotlight DeGeneres’s comedic talents.

In a groundbreaking moment for television, DeGeneres’s character came out as gay in April 1997, becoming the first lead in a sitcom to do so. This historic episode faced significant backlash; an ABC affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, refused to air it, and some sponsors, including Daimler Chrysler, withdrew their advertisements due to concerns over controversy. Subsequent episodes included gay themes, leading to a mix of support from LGBTQ+ activists and criticism from conservative groups. Despite receiving applause from supporters, including her mother, Betty, who publicly defended her on various talk shows, Ellen was ultimately canceled in 1998, even after winning an Emmy Award for the coming-out episode and making a notable impact on television history.

DeGeneres later revealed the challenges she encountered during her coming out, including pressure from executives to remain silent and the public backlash she faced. In a 2018 appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, she reflected on the humiliation of being the subject of late-night jokes, rejecting the notion that she should be seen as an LGBTQ “leader” simply because she chose to live openly.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

After a brief hiatus from the public eye, DeGeneres returned with The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which premiered in September 2003. The show quickly became a favorite among daytime viewers, winning an impressive 64 Daytime Emmys throughout its run.

In 2009, DeGeneres was selected to fill a prominent role as a judge on American Idol, replacing outgoing judge Paula Abdul, further solidifying her place in the entertainment industry.

However, in 2020, The Ellen DeGeneres Show faced significant controversy when current and former staff members accused DeGeneres of fostering a “toxic work environment.” These allegations contradicted the image she presented on air, where she famously concluded each episode with the phrase, “Be kind to one another.” Reports surfaced detailing experiences of racism, intimidation, and sexual misconduct among staff. Two years later, after 19 successful seasons, The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired its final episode in June 2022.

Movies and Stand-Up

By the time her show concluded, DeGeneres had already transitioned to film, starring in the dark comedy Mr. Wrong (1996) as a woman seeking the perfect partner. She also appeared in EdTV (1999), featuring Matthew McConaughey, and in the television film If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000), which included a widely publicized love scene with Sharon Stone.

In 2003, DeGeneres lent her voice to the animated blockbuster Finding Nemo, portraying the friendly yet forgetful blue tang fish, Dory. She reprised this beloved role in the 2016 sequel, Finding Dory, solidifying her impact in both stand-up comedy and film.

Books, Television Production, and Philanthropy

Ellen DeGeneres is a prolific author, having written several books, including My Point… And I Do Have One (1995), Seriously… I’m Kidding (2011), and Home (2015).

While her film career slowed following the success of her talk show, DeGeneres has maintained a significant presence in television production, serving as an executive producer for various shows such as Bethenny (2012-2014), Repeat After Me (2015), One Big Happy (2015), Little Big Shots (2015), and the HGTV reality competition series Ellen’s Design Challenge.

In addition to her roles in front of and behind the camera, DeGeneres has expanded her entrepreneurial pursuits. She owns a record label, eleveneleven, and in 2015, she launched the lifestyle brand Ed by Ellen, which offers a diverse range of products including footwear, home goods, baby items, accessories, and pet products.

A committed advocate for animal rights and LGBTQ+ issues, DeGeneres is also a vegan. In early 2018, she received a significant 60th birthday gift from her wife, Portia de Rossi, revealing plans for the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda, marking the inaugural initiative of the Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund.

DeGeneres has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the arts. In November 2016, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, recognizing her impactful work. Additionally, at the January 2020 Golden Globes, DeGeneres was honored with the prestigious Carol Burnett Award for excellence in television, becoming its second recipient after the award’s namesake.

Personal Life: Portia de Rossi

Ellen DeGeneres has been married to Portia de Rossi, an accomplished Australian-American model and actress, for over 15 years. The couple began dating in December 2004, and their wedding on August 16, 2008, occurred shortly after the legalization of same-sex marriage in California, making it one of the most high-profile unions in the LGBTQ+ community. In 2010, de Rossi received legal approval to change her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres.

Before her marriage to de Rossi, DeGeneres was in a long-term relationship with actress Anne Heche, with whom she shared a home in Los Angeles. Despite their public commitment to marriage, the couple parted ways in August 2000. DeGeneres subsequently dated Alexandra Hedison for several years before meeting de Rossi.

Sexual Abuse Revelations

In a 2005 interview with Allure magazine, DeGeneres disclosed that she had been sexually abused by her stepfather. She revisited this difficult topic during a 2019 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show, recalling how her stepfather insisted on “examining” her breasts for lumps after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1970s.