Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres accepts an award at the Teen Choice Awards, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. Almost a decade after coming out as a lesbian and enduring a public backlash and the cancellation of her self-titled sitcom, DeGeneres is back on top and busier than ever. She's done stand-up specials, written a book, hosts an Emmy award-winning talk show and is the newest judge on "American Idol."

The cast of the television sitcom "Ellen," which ran from 1994 to 1998. From left: Clea Lewis, David Anthony Higgens, Joely Fisher, DeGeneres and Jeremy Piven. DeGeneres made the leap to acting after years on the stand-up comedy circuit, having been named Showtime's "Funniest Person In America" in 1982. She first appeared on "The Tonight Show" in 1986. "Ellen" ran from 1994-1998 and won three Emmys.

DeGeneres, a nominee for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in "Ellen," arrives at the 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Sept. 10, 1995, in Pasadena, Calif.

DeGeneres and Bonnie Raitt, left, perform at the 39th annual Grammy Awards, at which DeGeneres served as host, Feb. 26, 1997, in New York.

A large crowd packs a Hollywood club to watch the title character come out and say she is gay on the TV sitcom "Ellen," April 30, 1997, in West Hollywood, Calif. DeGeneres' own "coming out" was featured on a 1997 Time magazine cover.

DeGeneres speaks during the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, at which she received a civil rights award, Nov. 8, 1997, in Washington. President Clinton also spoke at the event thrown by the nation's largest gay and lesbian group -- the first president to ever do so.

DeGeneres and her partner actress Anne Heche, right, walk down the stairs of the U.S. Capitol on their way to a candlelight vigil for slain gay student Mathew Shepard, Oct. 14, 1998. Soon after DeGeneres came out as a lesbian, she and Heche, who had previously been romantically linked with Steve Martin and Richard Burgi, went public with their love affair. The two split up in 2000.

DeGeneres walks with partner Anne Heche, left, in New York, July 10, 2000. A month later, the couple announced they'd decided to split. Heche later married cameraman Coleman "Coley" Laffoon, whom she met while working on a behind-the-scenes documentary about DeGeneres.

Ellen DeGeneres, host of the 53rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards, comes out in a dress similar to that worn by pop singer Bjork at the last Oscar Awards, during the Emmy Awards broadcast at the Shubert Theatre, Nov. 4, 2001, in Los Angeles. DeGeneres was the host of the evening's ceremonies.

DeGeneres hugs her mother, Betty DeGeneres, right, during a special Mother's Day episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," May 6, 2004, Burbank, Calif.

DeGeneres kisses her Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show at the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, May 21, 2004, in New York.

DeGeneres, dressed as Spiderman, talks with Kirsten Dunst as they present the award for Best Action Sequence during the MTV Movie Awards, June 5, 2004, in Culver City, Calif.

DeGeneres takes the Olympic flame from John Jackson, left, as she prepares to run her leg of the Olympic torch relay, June 16, 2004, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. The flame was making its way through the U.S. ahead of the 2004 Olympics.

DeGeneres arrives with date Alexandra Hedison for the 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Sept. 19, 2004, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. DeGeneres and Hedison, a photographer, announced the end of their 4-year relationship in December 2004.

DeGeneres holds a one-of-a-kind Cabbage Patch Kid in her likeness during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," in Burbank, Calif., Sept. 23, 2004. The doll was to be auctioned off to benefit The American Red Cross and Noah's Wish, to aid in their efforts to help those affected by recent hurricanes.

DeGeneres meets Marlin, Dory and Nemo, from left, after a performance from Disney's "Finding Nemo On Ice" on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," Nov. 9, 2004, in Burbank, Calif. DeGeneres voiced the part of Dory in the hit animated film "Finding Nemo."

DeGeneres poses with girlfriend Portia de Rossi, of television's "Arrested Development," at the HBO after-party for the 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, Jan. 16, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif. The two married on Aug. 16, 2008.

DeGeneres, left, surprises an audience full of moms with a huge Mother's Day gift, during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," May 5, 2005, in Burbank, Calif. DeGeneres announced that she's taking everyone with her for a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas.

Degeneres attends the 32nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, held at New York's Radio City Music Hall, May 20, 2005, in New York. She swept the awards, winning best talk show host for the first time while "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" picked up best talk show honors for the second straight year.

Wedding Album — AP Photo/Lara Porzak Photography

Ellen DeGeneres poses with actress Portia de Rossi, right, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008 in Beverly Hills, Calif. DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at their California home.