Ellen DeGeneres recently revealed a deeply personal family secret, hoping that her openness will help others facing similar struggles. The comedian expressed anger over not being protected as a vulnerable child, and shared her frustration with those who don’t believe in her story.
Ellen, born in Louisiana, rose to fame in the late 1970s, overcoming various obstacles along the way. She got her big break in 1986 when she performed stand-up on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, which led to more late-night appearances, club bookings, and roles on TV.
From 1989 to 1990, Ellen joined the cast of Open House, a short-lived sitcom, before landing her breakout role in 1994 with These Friends of Mine, later renamed Ellen. Reflecting on her role, Ellen shared with the New York Times in 1994 that she knew the script was something special, and she was determined to create a show everyone would talk about.
At 66, Ellen’s journey continues to inspire, with her candidness helping to break down barriers and open important conversations.
Conversation starter
Everybody did talk the next day, and every day after. In fact, the conversation was heightened when she came out as a lesbian on Ellen, and in real life.
The show was canceled in 1998 and though she was devastated to see it come to an end, she revealed the same year she was in a relationship with actor Anne Heche.
“I saw the most ravishing woman I had ever seen in my life standing across the room. Her name was Ellen DeGeneres. She was radiating,” Heche said of her first meeting with the comedian. “I think at certain times in people’s lives, you just radiate an energy and a glow of fabulousness. And that was her!”
The couple ended their relationship in 2000 and shortly after, Heche detailed some dark secrets in her past.
