Ellen Lee DeGenere was born 1958 and is an American comedian, television host, actress, writer, and producer. She starred in the popular sitcom Ellen from 1994 to 1998, and has hosted her syndicated TV talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, since 2003.In 1997, DeGeneres came out as lesbian. The bold disclosure of her sexual orientation sparked clamorous interest by American tabloids.The contentiousness of the media coverage stunted DeGeneres’ professional career and left her “mired in depression”.That same year, she started a romantic relationship with actress Anne Heche that lasted until August 2000.n August 6, 2010, de Rossi filed a petition to legally change her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres. The petition was granted on September 23, 2010.