Ellen Lee DeGeneres

Imagine a college dropout, finding jobs as a stand-up comedian at odd places. This woman was a nobody, constantly struggling to climb up the ladder of fame. The remembrance of DeGeneres' parents' divorce haunted her memories in her youth. Surprisingly, this woman has been shaped into the woman that is now known as Ellen DeGeneres. Born on January 26, 1958, DeGeneres was born in Metairie, Louisiana. She became known as one of the most amusing comedians of this era. The biggest factor of Ellen DeGeneres' persistence towards her goal to become an infamous stand-up comedian was her brother, Vance DeGeneres. Vance was in a band during his younger ages and Ellen DeGeneres was like a spectator watching her own brother attain all the fame. This kind of jealousy towards her brother sparked her to strive towards fame and recognition among others. Through blood, sweat and tears, her hard work was rewarded with her very own TV show called Ellen in 1994. DeGeneres' confident stature in public, humorous nature and kind heart towards others has been displayed countlessly throughout her life.

Ellen DeGeneres' confidence has helped shape and guide her throughout the journey called life. Like the other forty percent of children in the U.S. coping with divorced parents, DeGeneres grew up living apart from her father and brother after the divorce. She and her mom settled down in Atlanta, Texas. "After her parents' divorce, DeGeneres, 13, uses her comedic talents to help her mother Betty recover. "I was helping [my mother] cope with a broken heart. It brought us closer together and made me realize the power of humor. In Texas, DeGeneres is secretly molested by her new stepfather as her mother struggles with breast cancer. After she graduates high school and moves back to New Orleans, she finally tells her mother the truth." (Wang) This line taken from a biography portrays an event where she was in a constant struggle that seemed like she could not escape its grasp. DeGeneres is shown to have many issues as a teen such as going through a divorce, her mother having breast cancer and the new stepfather molesting her. Her courage is shown when she confronts her mom about the molestation. While others would usually keep it in to protect their dignity, DeGeneres does what she knows is right and reveals the villain. Her mother, Betty DeGeneres was experiencing the troubles of breast cancer and the only one to comfort her was Ellen DeGeneres. She found out that she could use her comedic talents to cheer her mother up in times of despair. "DeGeneres publicly comes out on the cover of Time, making her TV's first openly gay star. Conservative Rev. Jerry Falwell proclaims her "Ellen DeGenerate," while the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation later gives her a special honor. "I didn't choose to be anything other than a comedian," she tells Time. "I just happen to be gay, and I didn't feel like keeping it a secret, so I announced it. It all turned into this whole big political thing." (Wang) To openly pronounce her own self as gay on public television proves that she has guts. Reverend Jerry Falwell has basically called her abnormal in the eyes of others while on the other hand, she has the Gay and Lesbian Alliance award her with an honor from the group. In this interview from Time, she also states that she did not mean for it to become a big deal, DeGeneres was "different" and she did not feel like keeping it a secret. As a result of Ellen DeGeneres having a confident aura around her, she has shown many other individuals that through hard work, anything is possible. She has taken courage to a whole new level.

Ellen DeGeneres' humor has helped many people in despair cope with their issues. As stated before, DeGeneres aided her mom in the recovery of her breast cancer by bringing out her comedic talent. Ellen and Betty DeGeneres found that the comedy aided in the recovery of Betty DeGeneres' breast cancer. "Beginning in the early 1980s, she toured nationally and was named the funniest person in America after winning a competition sponsored by the cable network Showtime. This led to better gigs, including her first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) in 1986." (Hopwood) Ellen DeGeneres' humor has brought her to where she is today and does not fail to entertain on live television. DeGeneres has a style of witty humor that will have people giggling at the screen. On Ellen DeGeneres' show, she does activities like pranking and scaring people. Through this, a large amount of people become happy from watching amusing things happen to celebrities. "My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the hell she is." This is a line that was taken from The Ellen DeGeneres Show. From this, many people will see what kind of personality DeGeneres has and how she goes about life. At home, countless people could be mourning over losses or worrying about grades and this is where Ellen DeGeneres comes into their lives. By watching DeGeneres be herself, people watching her tend to become enlightened by her actions. Ellen DeGeneres has become a public figure that represents happiness and buffoonery.

DeGeneres is very well known for being magnanimous to others and has always treated them well. Her amiable personality is well portrayed wherever you see her whether it is on T.V. or in person. "I know for a fact that there are amazing people in the world doing amazing things. There are so many things you can do to make this world a better place. Try to do something kind because it makes such a big difference." (DeGeneres) Ellen DeGeneres' kind words inspire people to do better things in their lives. DeGeneres is all about being kind to others and making them laugh without circling someone out so that you can laugh at them. She said that all she wants to do in her life is make people laugh without picking on anyone so that we can have a happier world to live in. Ellen DeGeneres loves helping people other than the depressed or lonely, she is also involved in supporting charities and foundations like the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Peace First, The Humane Society and many more groups to choose from. Ellen DeGeneres is majorly involved in improving the living conditions of the unprivileged and aiding in the saving of animals. She cares for many things other than herself, fame and money which not many people are able to say. Throughout her life as a funny, courageous and considerate person, she will always be regarded as a role model to many.

The kind heart that it takes to be amiable to everyone, make everyone you meet laugh and be confident enough to choose the right path even if the going gets rough, that is what describes a real hero, what describes Ellen DeGeneres. Throughout his life, DeGeneres has shown time and time again that she is one of the most friendly, ludicrous and confident people you will ever see in your life. Her attitude towards everything in life inspires many to follow her footsteps and become a role model to the young, the ignorant, and the next generation to come. Having to go through an extremely rough childhood and making it as a superstar shows the kind of determination that Ellen has constantly shown throughout her entire life. I have followed Ellen DeGeneres for many years of my life and she has shown me what is important. Without DeGeneres, I wouldn't have laughed half as much in my life and she could not have made me any happier to watch her. I strive towards a persona like Ellen DeGeneres' and hope to resemble someone like her in my very soon future. The way in which Ellen DeGeneres has lived has made a big impact on how I want to live as a loving, compassionate and kind person. DeGeneres has been doing bigger and greater things for the community and proves that nothing can stop you from achieving what you strive for in life.