Ellen DeGeneres

Remember when Ellen DeGeneres went from America’s sweetheart to being called “one of the meanest people alive”?

Ellen DeGeneres started in stand-up clubs in New Orleans.

She was 23. Broke. And funny.

In 1986, she made it to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Not only did she kill, Carson invited her to sit on the couch.

First woman comic ever to get that honor on her first appearance.

From there, Ellen built an empire:
- Ellen, her primetime sitcom, where she made history as the first openly gay lead character on U.S. network TV
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show, a daytime juggernaut that ran for 19 seasons and earned 33 Daytime Emmys
- Emmy-nominated HBO specials: The Beginning (2000), Here and Now (2003), plus Netflix’s Relatable (2018) and For Your Approval (2024)
- A voice role as Dory in Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, earning her an Annie Award

She also launched a record label (eleveneleven).

A lifestyle brand (ED Ellen DeGeneres).

And a production company (A Very Good Production).

She produced shows, published bestsellers, and signed big-ticket ad deals with CoverGirl, JCPenney, and American Express.

She ended every show with: “Be kind to one another.”

But in 2020, the kindness brand cracked.

BuzzFeed published allegations of a toxic workplace behind the scenes of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Claims of fear and intimidation.

Some said they were fired for taking medical leave or looking her in the eye.

The backlash was swift.

Ratings dropped. Sponsors pulled back.

WarnerMedia launched an internal investigation.

Three top producers were fired.

Ellen issued a public apology. Twice.

But in 2021, she announced the show’s end.

It wrapped in May 2022.

As of 2025, she’s living in the English countryside with her wife Portia de Rossi.

No plans to return.