Ellen DeGeneres is turning 68! See how far she’s come since her days as a standup comedian and sitcom star in our gallery here.
What a long way Ellen DeGeneres has come. The star began with stand-up, then sitcoms, before nailing her big gig as the host of the daytime show The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2003. Through the years she’s had so many wild moments and fun interviews with her celebrity guests. And she grew up in front of our eyes too. Though her flagship chat show wrapped in 2022, she’s still part of so many memories.
Ellen was one of the first Hollywood stars to be an out and proud lesbian. She went public with her sexuality in 1997 on her sitcom Ellen in 1997. Her public relationships included an engagement to the late Anne Heche and a decade-plus marriage to Portia de Rossi.
Ready for more Ellen? See photos of the comedian and talk show host from her early days until now, here.
1 of 18
Ellen DeGeneres in 1989
Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
Here, Ellen Degeneres appears in a 1989 portrait. Her vest was a very 80s look. Now, the star favors a more laid-back look and shorter tresses.
May 20, 2022, 1:56PM 2 of 18
Ellen DeGeneres in 1995
Michael Caulfield/AP/Shutterstoc
Ellen Degeneres, star of the TV show Ellen, walks backstage after winning an award for Actress in a New TV Series at the 21st annual People’s Choice Awards in 1995. It was before her hosting days.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 3 of 18
Ellen DeGeneres in 1996
Moviestore/Shutterstock
Screen time! Ellen DeGeneres appears in 1996’s Mr. Wrong.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 4 of 18
‘Ellen’
Touchstone Tv/Black-Marlens/Koba
Ellen Degeneres had a sitcom before her syndicated daytime show. It was on from 1994 to 1998.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 5 of 18
Ellen Degeneres & Anne Heche in 1998
Bei/Shutterstock
Anne Heche and Ellen Degeneres attend the 1998 MTV Movie Awards. The couple were engaged but broke things off in Aug. 2000.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 6 of 18
Ellen Degeneres in 1999
Ron Batzdorff/Universal/Kobal/Sh
Hooray! Ellen DeGeneres appears in 1999’s EdTV, directed by Ron Howard.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 7 of 18
Ellen Degeneres in 2001
Joseph Marzullo/Mediapunch/Shutt
Ellen Degeneres gets goofy ahead of CBS Network Upfront event at Tavern On the Green in New York on May 16, 2001. She wore an orange jumper and tan trench.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 8 of 18
Ellen Degeneres in 2003
Peter Brooker/Shutterstock
Making a splash! Ellen DeGeneres appears at the premiere of Finding Nemo on May 18, 2003. She voiced Dory in the hit, which spawned a spin-off starring her.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 9 of 18
Ellen Degeneres & Portia de Rossi in 2005
BEI/Shutterstock
Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi attend 20th Century Fox’s Golden Globes party on Jan. 16, 2005. They were both glowing.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 10 of 18
Ellen Degeneres in 2007
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock
Ellen DeGeneres attends the American Idol Gives Back event at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on Apr. 25, 2007. She wore a pinstriped vest and matching pants.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 11 of 18
Ellen Degeneres in 2003
Nbc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock
Put on your dancing shoes! Ellen DeGeneres dances her heart off on her daytime chat show, which debuted in 2003.
May 20, 2022, 1:55PM 12 of 18
Ellen Degeneres in 2010
Henry Lamb/Photowire/BEI/Shutter
Fashionista! Ellen DeGeneres oozed model chic on the runway of designer Richie Rich’s Spring 2011 show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York on Spe. 9, 2010. She wore a silver suit and blue, fingerless gloves.
May 20, 2022, 1:54PM 13 of 18
Ellen Degeneres & Portia de Rossi in 2013
Broadimage/Shutterstock
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi attend the premiere of season 4 of Arrested Development on Apr. 29, 2013. Portia stunned in a black cut-out dress while Ellen wore grey.
May 20, 2022, 1:54PM 14 of 18
Ellen Degeneres Hosts the 2014 Oscars
John Shearer/Invision/AP/Shutter
Hostess with the mostest! Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles in 2014.
May 20, 2022, 1:54PM 15 of 18
Ellen Degeneres in 2017
Shutterstock
Ellen DeGeneres smiles while arriving for Jimmy Kimmel Live in LA on Nov. 1, 2017. She had on a suede motorcycle jacket and jeans.
May 20, 2022, 1:54PM 16 of 18
Ellen Degeneres in 2019
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Ellen DeGeneres attends the premiere of the TV show Green Eggs and Ham TV on Nov. 3, 2019. Her denim shirt and white pants looked cool.
May 20, 2022, 1:54PM 17 of 18
Ellen Degeneres in 2020
Shutterstock
Ellen DeGeneres shows off her Carol Burnett Award at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 5, 2020. She wore a spotted Celine suit to the honors.
May 20, 2022, 1:54PM 18 of 18
Ellen DeGeneres Introduces Michelle Obama
Shutterstock
Ellen DeGeneres was thrilled to introduce Michelle Obama as she launched her new book The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C. on Nov.15, 2022. Ellen was a burst of energy in a yellow suit with a blue velvet blazer.
January 24, 2023, 2:53PM Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news. Articles Trending Now
Trending Now
Quinton Aaron's Health Now: Update After 'The Blind Side' Actor Was Placed on Life Support
Harry Styles' 2026 Tour Tickets: Prices, Presale, How to Sign Up & More
Where Is Lawrence Jones on 'Fox & Friends'? Health Update Amid Hiatus
