Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres is an American stand-up comedian, television host, actress, writer, and television producer. She starred in the popular sitcom Ellen (1994-1998), The Ellen Show (2001-2002)and has her syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show  (2003-present). She lent her voice in the Disney-Pixar animated film, Finding Nemo as Dory in 2003 and in Finding Dory in 2016.

Early Life:
Ellen DeGeneres was born in Metairie, Louisiana in January 26, 1958. She was the daughter of speech therapist Elizabeth Jane "Betty" Pfeffer and insurance agent Elliott Everett DeGeneres. She has one brother, Vance DeGeneres. She has a French, English, German and Irish descent. n 1973, her parents filed for separation and were divorced the following year. Shortly after, Ellen's mother married Roy Gruessendorf, a salesman. Betty Jane and Ellen moved with Gruessendorf from the New Orleans area to Atlanta, Texas. Vance stayed with his father. In the February 2011 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she told the audience of a letter from the New England Historic Genealogical Society confirming that she is the 15th cousin of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge via their shared common ancestor Thomas Fairfax.

Education:
She graduated from Atlanta High School in May 1976, after completing her first years of high school at Grace King High School in Metairie, Louisiana. She moved back to New Orleans to attend the University of New Orleans, where she majored in communication studies. She left school to do clerical work in a law firm with a cousin, Laura Gillen after one semester She also held a job selling clothes at the chain store the Merry-Go-Round at the Lakeside Shopping Center. Her early jobs included working at J. C. Penney, being a waitress at TGI Friday's and another restaurant, a house painter, a hostess, and a bartender. She relates much of her childhood and career experiences in her comedic work.

Marriage:
After admitting as a lesbian in 1997, she started a relationship with Anne Heche  (1997-2000). From 2001-2004, DeGeneres had an affair with Alexandra Hedison. From 2004- present, she had a relationship with Australian actress, Portia de Rossi. After California overturns its same-sex marriage ban, she announced in 2008 that she and Portia will be engaged. de Rossi and DeGeneres married in August 16, 2008.