ELLEN DeGENERES
Ellen DeGeneres (born January 26, 1958) is an American comedian, television host, actress, writer, and producer. Degeneres starred in the popular sitcom Ellen from 1994 to 1998, and has hosted her syndicated TV talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, since 2003. Her stand-up career started in the early 1980s, culminating in a 1986 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Carson likened her to Bob Newhart, and invited her for an onscreen chat after her set; DeGeneres was the first female comedian invited by the iconic host to join him for such a discussion, at a time when such an invitation was widely regarded as one of the most influential endorsements available for a comic. DeGeneres has hosted the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and the Primetime Emmys. She has authored three books and started her own record company, Eleveneleven. She has won 13 Emmys, 14 People’s Choice Awards, and numerous other awards for her work and charitable efforts. (More from Wikipedia)
Though there are other prominent openly gay and lesbian celebrities – Ellen DeGeneres comes immediately to mind, plus any number of actors and actresses – I am aware of no other household names among active rock musicians. While Melissa Etheridge and Elton John remain beloved performers, the same could be said of Liberace back in the 1950’s (though of course, he was not openly gay). Most other lesbian and gay rockers are well outside the mainstream – not that there is anything wrong with that.
(January 2014)
