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Most Inspirational Ellen DeGeneres Accomplishments

Funny, smart and brave, the most inspirational Ellen DeGeneres accomplishments only skim the surface of her success.

By Banji GanchrowPublished 8 years ago 7 min read
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Ellen DeGeneres is one of a kind. In a time where being yourself was sometimes frowned upon, DeGeneres broke the mold and used her comedy to come out of the closet. This wasn’t the popular thing to due years ago. People stayed in the closet and kept the doors tightly shut. But not our Ellen. This comedian paid her dues like the rest of them. She would perform in any and every comedy club and honed her craft. Appearances on Stand Up Spotlight started getting her even more recognition. But, she had a secret. One that she had only shared with her family and close friends. That secret was a big part of who she was because it was who she was. Upon reaching what she thought was the pinnacle of success, a television show about her, aptly titled Ellen, she used this platform to reveal her true self. And then things took a turn. Her announcement overshadowed her talent and it was as if she was shunned from the entertainment industry. Fortunately, that didn’t last very long and she emerged victorious. Haters may hate, but love conquers all.

This funny lady from Louisiana has spent her career trying to make the world a better place. Whether it be through comedy or acts of true and random kindness, DeGeneres has made it clear the importance of “being kind to one another.” It’s her mantra and the way she ends every one of her shows. Her accomplishments are many and all are noteworthy, but all make us emulate her.

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Image via YouTube

The year was 1986. Hair was big and Ellen was working her way to the top. After an amazing performance on The Tonight Show, Mr. Carson did something that he had never done before. He invited DeGeneres to have a seat on the couch for a chat. She was the first female comedian to be asked this-kind’ve surprising when you think about the amount of guests that appeared on his show. But Ellen was the first because she is truly awesome. With her shimmery blonde hair in a fashionable mullet, it was her very first appearance on network television. “My grandmother started walking when she was 60, she is 97 now and we have no idea where the hell she is.” Her “Talking to God” routine is one for the books and totally worth looking up and watching.

Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Image via Celebuzz

Her star shines brightly everyday, but since 2012, she has had her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Partly in celebration of her 10th year of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and partly because of her decades worth of entertainment provided to her fans, this star was well earned and deserved. Jimmy Kimmel and Ryan Seacrest help DeGeneres unveil the 2,477th star on this iconic setting.

Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Image via USA Today

Named after the famous 19th century humorist Mark Twain, Ellen DeGeneres was the 15th recipient of this very distinguished award. It is given to the individual who has made a significant contribution to American humor. Other awardees have been Carol Burnett and Jay Leno. “Its a strange thing to get an award for being funny, because when I started, I did it for the money.” We all know that isn’t true. But whatever her reasons for being a comedian, we are certainly happy that she decided to be one.

Coming Out on Time Magazine

Image via Time

“Yep, I’m Gay,” graced the cover of Time Magazine in 1997, accompanied by a picture of Degeneres. This started quite the conversation. She had her character from her sitcom Ellen come out in quite the humorous fashion and now she was ready to come out to the world. DeGeneres had been interviewed many times about her “coming out.” She spoke about how emotional the whole process had been. It had been one thing to tell her family, her mom, specifically, but she had never said the phrase aloud to anyone else. Even in rehearsals of the scene with Laura Dern, she would get choked up every time she would say, “I’m gay.”

When we look at how much has changed since that fateful scene all those years ago, how far the gay community has come in terms of civil rights, it is truly astounding. Though, unfortunately, there is still a long road ahead, Degenres’ bold and frank statement made her a true role model. Her coming out was the beginning of a journey not only for herself, but for others like her.

Portia de Rossi

Image via The Ellen Degeneres Show

She is hot, she is talented and she is married to Ellen Degeneres. Yes, this is an accomplishment for Degeneres. We are happy to see Ellen with such a lovely lady, especially after the whole Anne Heche debacle. Married in 2008, Ellen and Portia make a really cute couple. When the couple first met, de Rossi was still closeted. Perhaps it was love at first sight that helped her realize she needed to come out and DeGeneres was there to help her with that. According to de Rossi, “She (Ellen) seems to like the person that I really am. So that kinda gave met he courage to think that maybe other people will, too. And that includes being gay and being very open about it and having had some struggles in the past.” We wish this power couple many years of happiness.

Cover Girl Spokeswoman

Image via CoverGirl

In 2009, DeGeneres became the face for CoverGirl cosmetics. The irony was not lost on her fans. DeGeneres, a beautiful woman, was never known for being overly glamorous or made up. But it is her inner beauty and her amazing blue eyes that make her a true cover girl. By infusing humor into the ad campaigns, DeGeneres attracted a whole new set of fans and probably got a lot of people to buy CoverGirl products. Her commercials for CoverGirl and Olay Facelift Effect Firming Makeup are so funny and clever, you want to buy the product even if you don’t need it. DeGeneres even did some commercials with the exceptionally hot Sofia Vergara.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Image via The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Where to begin? This show just makes people happy. Since its debut in 2003, DeGeneres and has been dancing her way into the hearts of millions. Her ratings have been impressive, her Emmys have been many(36 and still counting) and her guests have ranged from certified celebrities like her straight crush Tom Cruise, to cancer survivors with inspiring back stories. She has made stars out of adorable children and has humanized athletes for those who aren’t sports fans. A winner of several People’s Choice Awards, DeGeneres is truly a fan favorite.

Hosting the Oscars

Image via The Hollywood Reporter

"What a wonderful night, such diversity in the room, in a year when there's been so many negative things said about people's race, religion, and sexual orientation. And I want to put this out there: If there weren't blacks, Jews and gays, there would be no Oscars, or anyone named Oscar, when you think about that.” Yes, DeGeneres was the first openly gay celebrity to host The Academy Awards and she did it magnificently. When she hosted it again a few years later, her selfie went viral. She was the true star of the show because she is great at putting people at ease and, of course, making people laugh.

Charities, Charities and more Charities

Image via Business Wire

Ellen DeGeneres is a stellar example of a person who spends her money on others. American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, Andre Agassi Foundation for Education, Artists Against Racism, Best Friends Animal Society, Children's Health Fund, Elton John AIDS Foundation

Entertainment Industry Foundation, Habitat For Humanity, PETA,Project Cuddle, Stand Up To Cancer, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,

STOMP Out Bullying, Susan G. Komen for the Cure….wait, do you need to see some organizations that DeGeneres has contributed to? Because there are lots more….She practices what she preaches and hope that others will follow her lead. Well done Ellen. Keep inspiring.

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About the Creator

Banji Ganchrow

Self-proclaimed writer, masters in social work. Has driven 3 sons to 22 baseball stadiums. Hopes, because of this, they will never put her in a nursing home.

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