The next film had DeGeneres co-hosting an educational look at energy with Nye. The show revolved around DeGeneres' falling asleep and finding herself in an energy-themed version of Jeopardy!, playing against an old rival, portrayed by Curtis, and Albert Einstein. The film also featured Bill Nye, Alex Trebek, Michael Richards, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
DeGeneres starred in a series of films for a show named Ellen's Energy Adventure, which was part of the Universe of Energy attraction and pavilion at Walt Disney World's Epcot. Film careerĮllen's work in the late 1980s and early 1990s included the film Coneheads.
ĭeGeneres lists Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Bob Newhart among her comedic influences. Īfter a 15-year hiatus from performing stand-up comedy, DeGeneres appeared in a 2018 Netflix stand-up special, Relatable. In the early 1980s she began to tour nationally, and in 1984 she was named Showtime's funniest person in America. DeGeneres cites Woody Allen and Steve Martin as her main influences at this time. By 1981, she was the emcee at Clyde's Comedy Club in New Orleans. She relates much of her childhood and career experiences in her comedic work.ĭeGeneres started performing stand-up comedy at small clubs and coffee houses. She also worked as a house painter, a hostess and a bartender. Penney and waitressing at TGI Fridays and another restaurant.
After one semester, she left school to do clerical work in a law firm with a cousin, Laura Gillen. She moved back to New Orleans to attend the University of New Orleans, where she majored in communication studies. DeGeneres graduated from Atlanta High School in May 1976, after completing her first years of high school at Grace King High School in Metairie. When she was 15 or 16 years old, she was molested by her stepfather. Betty Jane and Ellen moved with Gruessendorf from the New Orleans area to Atlanta, Texas. Shortly after, Ellen's mother married Roy Gruessendorf, a salesman. Her parents filed for separation in 1973 and were divorced the following year. Of French, English, German, and Irish descent, she was raised a Christian Scientist. She has one brother, Vance, a musician and producer.