1962
Was the first female stand-up guest to be called to the "hot seat" on her first guest appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962).
1976
Graduated from Atlanta High School in Atlanta, Texas, in 1976.
1982
Voted "Funniest Person In America" in 1982.
1991
"Best Female Club Standup," Comedy Awards 1991.
1994
Was originally offered Sandra Bullock's role in Speed (1994).
1994
Auditioned for the role of Jody in Pulp Fiction (1994), but Rosanna Arquette was cast instead.
1995
Spoofed on "MADtv" (1995) by comedian Nicole Parker.
1997
When Ellen came out as a lesbian on her show in April 1997, ABC's affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, refused to air the landmark episode. Some of the show's sponsors, including Chrysler, withdrew their advertisements.
1997
Named "Entertainer of the Year" by Entertainment Weekly 26 December 1997/2 January 1998, issues 411/412.
1997
When she appeared on the April 14, 1997 cover of Time magazine, readers' voted it the magazine's best ever.
1999
Spoke at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Pointed out that many film plots and images in Hollywood are "heterosexist," meaning that the filmmakers allow heterosexual characters to dominate the screen. She would like to see actors and actresses portray more gay and lesbian couples. [1999]
2000
Was initially reluctant to do a love scene with Sharon Stone in If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000) (TV), but Ellen's then-girlfriend Anne Heche, who was directing this particular segment of the film, encouraged her to do it. Ellen eventually gave in.
2000
Split with girlfriend Anne Heche after being together for 3 years. [August 2000]
2004
Ended her four-year relationship with photographer-director Alexandra Hedison. [December 2004]
2008
Ellen and her girlfriend, Portia de Rossi, got married on August 16th, 2008 at Ellen's home in Beverly Hills, California.
2009
Gave the Commencement Speech at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana in May 2009.
2010
She became vegan in 2010.
2012
Winner of the 2012 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, awarded by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.