Recently, Ellen DeGeneres revealed a deeply personal family secret, hoping her candid admission will help others experiencing similar struggles.
The beloved comedian expressed a wish that she had been better protected as a vulnerable child, and voiced frustration at those who are unwilling to believe survivors.
Louisiana-born Ellen DeGeneres first captured the spotlight in the late 1970s, overcoming challenges to rise to stardom.
The talk show host’s big break came in 1986 when she performed a stand-up routine on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, leading to more late-night appearances, back-to-back club bookings, and roles on TV series.
From 1989 to 1990, the now 66-year-old comedian landed her first regular TV gig as a cast member on the short-lived sitcom Open House, and in 1994 she became the star of the acclaimed comedy series These Friends of Mine, later renamed Ellen.
“I was laughing out loud when I read the script. I knew what I could do with it,” the popular awards show host told the New York Times in 1994. “I wanted a show that everybody talks about the next day.”
Everybody did talk the next day, and every day after. The conversation intensified when she came out as a lesbian, both on her show and in her personal life.
The show was canceled in 1998, and though she was devastated, that same year she revealed she was in a relationship with actor Anne Heche.
“I saw the most radiant woman I had ever seen in my life standing across the room. Her name was Ellen DeGeneres. She was glowing,” Heche said of their first meeting. “I think at certain times in people’s lives, you just radiate an energy and a glow of fabulousness. And that was her!”
