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Image: 39th Annual People's Choice Awards - Portraits

Pop Culture

Ellen DeGeneres

A look at the life and career of the actress, comedian, talk host and latest “American Idol” sensation.

/ 36 PHOTOS
Image: 39th Annual People's Choice Awards - Portraits

Lucky 13

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: TV personality Ellen DeGeneres poses for a portrait during the 39th Annual People's Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 9, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for PCA)
Christopher Polk / Getty Images North America
Image: BESTPIX - 39th Annual People's Choice Awards - Backstage And Audience

Look who's 'Friends'!

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: (L-R) Actors Portia de Rossi and Jennifer Aniston and tv personality Ellen DeGeneres attend the 39th Annual People's Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 9, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for PCA)
Christopher Polk / Getty Images North America
Image: Ellen DeGeneres, Sofia Vergara

Curves ahead

In this photo provided by Warner Bros., talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, left, reveals her Halloween costume in the likeness of actress Sofia Vergara, right, during the taping of \"The Ellen DeGeneres Show\" on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in Burbank, Calif. The special Halloween episode airs on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Warner Bros., Michael Rozman)
Michael Rozman / Warner Bros.
Image: DeGeneres smiles as her family and friends, including de Rossi, applaud her entrance at the Mark Twain Prize ceremony in Washington

Queen of comedy

Ellen DeGeneres (C) smiles as her family and friends, including wife Portia de Rossi (left), applaud her entrance at the Mark Twain Prize ceremony in Washington, October 22, 2012. DeGeneres is the 15th recipient of the prize for humor, joining recent past honorees Will Farrell, Tina Fey, Steve Martin and George Carlin. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)
Jonathan Ernst / X01676
Image: Ellen DeGeneres Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Her place in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 04: Comedienne/talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 4, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kevin Winter / Getty Images North America
Image: 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented By Ketel One And Wells Fargo - Dinner and Show

GLAAD to have her

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Comedian and TV personality Ellen DeGeneres speaks onstage at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by Ketel One and Wells Fargo held at Westin Bonaventure Hotel on April 21, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for GLAAD)
Kevin Winter / Getty Images North America
Image: Michelle Obama and Ellen DeGeneres

98 ... 99 ...

In this photo released by Warner Bros, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres challenges First Lady Michelle Obama to a push up contest during a taping of \"The Ellen DeGeneres Show\" in Burbank, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. This episode aired on Thursday, Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Warner Bros., Michael Rozman)
Michael Rozman / Warner Bros.
2011 Teen Choice Awards - Show

Cowabunga, Ellen!

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - AUGUST 07: Comedian Ellen DeGeneres accepts the Choice Comedian award onstage during the 2011 Teen Choice Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheatre on August 7, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kevin Winter / Getty Images North America
Image: Ellen DeGeneres

The people have spoken

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: TV personality Ellen DeGeneres, winner Favorite Daytime TV Host for \"The Ellen DeGeneres Show,\" speaks onstage at the 2012 People's Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kevin Winter / Getty Images North America
MBFW Spring 2011 - Official Coverage - Runway Day 1

Top model?

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ellen Degeneres walks the runway at the Richie Rich Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Studio at Lincoln Center on September 9, 2010 in New York City (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz) *** Local Caption *** Ellen Degeneres
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America
The Postal Service Dedicates The Animal Rescue: Adopt A Shelter Pet Stamp

Tongues are wagging

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 30: Actress and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres attends the Postal Service dedication of their new Animal Rescue: Adopt A Shelter Pet Stamp on April 30, 2010 at the Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ellen DeGeneres
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America
Image: \"American Idol\" judges

Joining the 'Idols'

AMERICAN IDOL: AMERICAN IDOL returns for its much anticipated ninth season with a two-night season premiere airing Tuesday, Jan. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:15 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Pictured L-R: Randy Jackson, Ellen Degeneres, Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest and Kara DioGuardi. CR: Michael Becker / FOX
Image: People's Choice Awards 2010 - Show

The people's choice

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: TV personality Ellen DeGeneres presents the Favorite Comedy Movie award onstage during the People's Choice Awards 2010 held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for PCA)
Kevin Winter / Getty Images North America
36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Happy couple

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Actress Portia de Rossi and TV personality Ellen DeGeneres attend the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images *** Local Caption *** Ellen DeGeneres;Portia de Rossi
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America
Image: 35th Annual People's Choice Awards - Show

Rocking the stage

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 07: TV Host Ellen DeGeneres (R) accepts the Favorite Talk Show Host award from singer Kid Rock (C) during the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for PCA)
Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images North America
Image: Ellen DeGeneres

Really big show

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 20: Talk show host/comedian Ellen DeGeneres performs at a taping of ''Ellen's Even Bigger Really Big Show'' during The Comedy Festival at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on November 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ellen DeGeneres
Ethan Miller / Getty Images North America
Image: The Comedy Festival Day 1

Getting a leg up

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 20: Talk show host/comedian Ellen DeGeneres (C) performs with dancers during a taping of \"Ellen's Even Bigger Really Big Show\" during The Comedy Festival at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace November 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Ethan Miller / Getty Images North America
Image: Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi

Two brides

In this photo provided by Lara Porzak Photography, television personality Ellen DeGeneres poses with actress Portia de Rossi, right, on Saturday Aug. 16, 2008 in Beverly Hills, Calif. DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony Saturday at their California home. (AP Photo/Lara Porzak Photography, Jay L. Clendenin, HO) ** NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; NORTH AMERICA USE ONLY; MUST USE IMAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY **
Jay L. Clendenin / Lara Porzak Photography, Jay L.
Image: Actor Gyllenhaal presents talk show host DeGeneres with roses during a taping of \"The Ellen DeGeneres Show\" in Burbank California

For me??

In this photo released by Warner Bros., actor Jake Gyllenhaal (L) presents talk show host Ellen DeGeneres with 400 whites roses to celebrate the show's 400th episode during a taping of \"The Ellen DeGeneres Show\" at NBC Studios in Burbank, California, November 9, 2005. The episode will air on Thursday. Picture taken November 9, 2005. NO SALES NO ARCHIVES REUTERS/Chris Polk/Warner Bros./Handout
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A man waits for a bus 29 October, 2004,

Citizen Ellen

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: A man waits for a bus 29 October, 2004, in New York, across the street from a huge banner of actress Ellen DeGeneres urging citizens to vote. US President George W. Bush and Democrat challenger John Kerry parade personalities from sports and the entertainment world in their quest for voter support in what increasingly appears a photo-finish presidential election 02 November. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Mandel Ngan / AFP
TIMBERLAKE ELLEN DEGENERES

Do a little dance ...

Justin Timberlake, left, makes a surprise appearance during a special taping of a summer episode of \"The Ellen DeGeneres Show\" and congratulates talk show host Ellen DeGeneres for her recent Emmy win for Outstanding Talk Show, during a taping at NBC Studios in Burbank, Calif., Thursday, May 27, 2004. As Ellen dances her way to her chair after completing her monologue, Justin made his entrance. The episode is scheduled to air July 23. (AP Photo/Telepictures Productions, Chris Polk)
Ellen Degeneres holds her Emmy after winning for \"Outstanding Talk Show\" at the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Friday, May  21, 2004 in New York. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)

Daytime queen

Ellen Degeneres holds her Emmy after winning for \"Outstanding Talk Show\" at the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Friday, May 21, 2004 in New York. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)
Tina Fineberg / AP
NBC's Access Hollywood Golden Globe Party

Golden night

HOLLYWOOD - JANUARY 25: Ellen DeGeneres and Alexandra Hedison attend NBC's Access Hollywood Golden Globe Party, January 25, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images)
Giulio Marcocchi / Getty Images North America
Ellen Degeneres

Booking it

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 28: Author/actress Ellen Degeneres appears at the booksigning for her new book \"Ellen Degeneres The Funny Thing Is\" at Book Soup October 28, 2003 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images North America
FINDING NEMO (2003) In the colorful and warm tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef, a Clownfish named Marlin lives safe and secluded in a quiet cul-de-sac with his only son, NEMO. Fearful of the ocean and its unpredictable risks, he struggles to protect his son. Nemo, like all young fish, is eager to explore the mysterious reef. When Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from home and thrust into a dentist's office fish tank, Marlin finds himself the unlikely hero on an epic journey to rescue his son. In his quest, Marlin is joined by a good Samaritan named Dory, a Regal Blue Tang fish with the worst short-term memory and biggest heart in the entire ocean. As the two fish continue on their journey, encountering numerous dangers, Dory's optimism continually forces Marlin to find the courage to take risks and overcome his fears. In doing so, Marlin gains the ability to trust and believe, like Dory, that things will work out in the end. Confronting seabirds, sewer systems, and even man himself, father and s

Fish tale

FINDING NEMO (2003) In the colorful and warm tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef, a Clownfish named Marlin lives safe and secluded in a quiet cul-de-sac with his only son, NEMO. Fearful of the ocean and its unpredictable risks, he struggles to protect his son. Nemo, like all young fish, is eager to explore the mysterious reef. When Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from home and thrust into a dentist's office fish tank, Marlin finds himself the unlikely hero on an epic journey to rescue his son. In his quest, Marlin is joined by a good Samaritan named Dory, a Regal Blue Tang fish with the worst short-term memory and biggest heart in the entire ocean. As the two fish continue on their journey, encountering numerous dangers, Dory's optimism continually forces Marlin to find the courage to take risks and overcome his fears. In doing so, Marlin gains the ability to trust and believe, like Dory, that things will work out in the end. Confronting seabirds, sewer systems, and even man himself, father and s
53rd Emmy Awards - Show

Dressed for the occasion

Host Ellen Degeneres at the 53rd Annual Prime-Time Emmy Awards held at the Shubert Theatre, Los Angeles, CA., Nov. 4, 2001. (photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kevin Winter / Getty Images North America
Saturday Night Live

Live, from New York

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 9 -- Air Date 12/15/2001 -- Pictured: (l-r) Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Kattan as Mango during the \"Ellen Loves Mango\" skit on December 15, 2001 -- Photo by: Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank
Dana Edelson / Episodic
Will & Grace

Sister Ellen

WILL & GRACE -- \"My Uncle the Car\" Episode 14 -- Aired 2/15/01 -- Pictured: (l-r) Debra Messing as Grace Adler, Ellen DeGeneres as Sister Louise, Eric McCormack as Will Truman -- Photo by: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank
Chris Haston
If These Walls Could Talk 2, An Hbo Films Trilogy Examining The Lesbian Experience In America In Three Different Decades, Debuts Sunday, March 5 At 9:00 P.M. (Et). Pictured, From Left: Sharon Stone And Ellen Degeneres (Who Also Executive Produces) With Anne Heche, Writer And Director Of The Story Entitled \"2000.\"  (Photo By Getty Images)

40 years of drama

If These Walls Could Talk 2, An Hbo Films Trilogy Examining The Lesbian Experience In America In Three Different Decades, Debuts Sunday, March 5 At 9:00 P.M. (Et). Pictured, From Left: Sharon Stone And Ellen Degeneres (Who Also Executive Produces) With Anne Heche, Writer And Director Of The Story Entitled \"2000.\" (Photo By Getty Images)
Getty Images North America
GOODBYE LOVER (1999) Sandra (Arquette) is carrying on an affair with her husband's brother Ben. When Ben dies mysteriously, a cynical police detective must investigate a sleazy web of deceit. Goodbye Lover\" is a wry look at life, a thriller filled with an enjoyable gallery of characters who aren't quite what they seem and have learned not to seem quite what they are.

Long arm of the law

GOODBYE LOVER (1999) Sandra (Arquette) is carrying on an affair with her husband's brother Ben. When Ben dies mysteriously, a cynical police detective must investigate a sleazy web of deceit. Goodbye Lover\" is a wry look at life, a thriller filled with an enjoyable gallery of characters who aren't quite what they seem and have learned not to seem quite what they are.
EDTV (1999) An everyday video store clerk agrees to have his life broadcast on television as a reality show and gains overnight celebrity.

However, celebrity has a price, and while Ed initially embraces his newfound fame, he also witnesses the awkward, often humorous and sometimes painful predicaments suffered by members of his family who automatically become part of the program, and infamous in their own right. When he realizes that his on-camera success has turned him into another consumer product, he must find a way to stop his ordeal, cancel EDtv and return to the normal life.

Turn on the TV

EDTV (1999) An everyday video store clerk agrees to have his life broadcast on television as a reality show and gains overnight celebrity. However, celebrity has a price, and while Ed initially embraces his newfound fame, he also witnesses the awkward, often humorous and sometimes painful predicaments suffered by members of his family who automatically become part of the program, and infamous in their own right. When he realizes that his on-camera success has turned him into another consumer product, he must find a way to stop his ordeal, cancel EDtv and return to the normal life.
Ellen DeGeneres (C), a nominee for an Emmy

Walking the red carpet

PASADENA, : Ellen DeGeneres (C), a nominee for an Emmy in the category of Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in \"Ellen,\" stands with her mother (R) and her girlfriend Ann Hache as they arrive at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA, 14 September. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is organizing the 49th Emmys Award. AFP PHOTO/Kim KULISH (Photo credit should read KIM KULISH/AFP/Getty Images)
Kim Kulish / AFP
MR. WRONG, Bill Pullman, Ellen DeGeneres, 1996, (c)Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Getting it 'Wrong'

MR. WRONG, Bill Pullman, Ellen DeGeneres, 1996, (c)Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
ELLEN, David Anthony Higgins, Clea Lewis, Ellen DeGeneres, 1994-1998.

TV star

ELLEN, David Anthony Higgins, Clea Lewis, Ellen DeGeneres, 1994-1998.
HBO COMEDY SHOWCASE: Ellen DeGeneres - One Night Stand, 1992

Alone in the spotlight

HBO COMEDY SHOWCASE: Ellen DeGeneres - One Night Stand, 1992
The Tonight Show Staring Johnny Carson

When mullets were cool

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON --Aired 5/21/87 -- Pictured: Ellen DeGeneres -- Photo by: Joseph Del Valle/NBCU Photo Bank
Joseph Del Valle / Episodic
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