It was DeGeneres’s work in the hit show Ellen that cemented her place as a pioneer in the world of television. The sitcom’s critically acclaimed “The Puppy Episode” marked DeGeneres’s character’s coming out as a lesbian to a record 46 million viewers, effectively changing television history. Since then, DeGeneres has appeared in numerous films (including as the voice of “Dory” in the Pixar hit Finding Nemo); become a New York Times best-selling author with her books The Funny Thing Is… and Seriously… I’m Kidding; enjoyed a judging stint on American Idol; and hosted the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys. Most recently, she can be seen as a spokesperson for Cover Girl Cosmetics. She also starred in the national "My Life. My Card." campaign for American Express and, prior to that, crossed the country on a 35-city stand-up comedy tour, entitled the “Here and Now” tour. The series of shows included a performance taped at the famed Beacon Theater in New York, and became HBO's highest rated comedy special in years.

Other television credits include executive producing and starring with Sharon Stone in the Emmy-nominated If These Walls Could Talk II for HBO, and a guest appearance on The Larry Sanders Show, for which she received an Emmy nomination.

In 2005, DeGeneres hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards for the third time. Under her stewardship, the telecast enjoyed a five million viewer increase over the previous year. Her previous performance hosting the 2001 awards show garnered her rave reviews for providing a perfect balance of wit with heartfelt emotion to the post-9/11 telecast audience. Her inaugural efforts hosting the award show in 1994 won her an American Comedy Award.

In addition to her stints hosting the Primetime Emmys, DeGeneres has also hosted industry events including the 38th and 39th Annual Grammy Awards, for which she earned an Emmy nomination, the VH1 Honors that garnered a Cable Ace Award, VH-1 Divas Las Vegas, and The Saturday Night Live Christmas Special.

In May 26, 2010, DeGeneres announced she was starting her own record label entitled "eleveneleven." The acts thus far signed to the label are Greyson Chance, Tom Andrews, and Jessica Simpson.

Beginning with her 1982 nationally recognized breakout as a comedian in New Orleans, DeGeneres and her many contributions to the entertainment industry have earned her numerous accolades including a Golden Apple Award as Female Discovery of the Year from the Hollywood Women's Press Club, a Lucy Award honoring women in Television and Film, and an Amnesty International Award.

In her enlightening, hilarious presentations, Ellen DeGeneres shares the personal stories and insights she has gleaned from her years as an actress, television personality, and comedian. Audiences will walk away delighted and inspired by her pioneering rise to success. Read Less ^