Born: 1962 (Commack, Long Island, New York)
Biography:
Roseann O’Donnell, born on March 21, 1962, is an American comedian, television producer, actress, author, and television personality. She started her comedy career as a teenager and achieved her breakthrough on the television show Star Search in 1984. With a series of television and film roles, O’Donnell captured the attention of a larger national audience. However, it was her own syndicated daytime talk show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, which aired from 1996 to 2002, that truly catapulted her to fame and earned her numerous Daytime Emmy Awards.
During her time as a talk show host, O’Donnell became known as the Queen of Nice due to her charismatic and welcoming personality. Moreover, she established a reputation for her philanthropic efforts, using her platform to promote various causes close to her heart. In fact, she created the For All foundation and encouraged celebrities who appeared on her show to participate in charity projects using the $3 million advance from her memoir, Find Me, published in 2002.
In 2006, O’Donnell faced controversy during her tenure as a moderator on the daytime talk show The View. She engaged in a public feud with Donald Trump and openly expressed her disagreements with the policies of the Bush administration, particularly regarding the Iraq War. Her time on The View was marked by on-air disputes and passionate discussions, making her a polarizing figure in the media.
From 2009 to 2011, O’Donnell hosted Rosie Radio on Sirius XM Radio, providing a platform for her to express her views and engage with listeners. She then briefly hosted a second talk show, The Rosie Show, on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) from 2011 to 2012. Returning to The View in 2014, O’Donnell left after a short five-month stint due to personal issues.
Beyond her career in comedy, film, and television, O’Donnell has explored other avenues. She has worked as a magazine editor and celebrity blogger, sharing her thoughts on various topics. O’Donnell has also authored several memoirs, including Celebrity Detox in 2007.
Notably, O’Donnell has been an advocate for lesbian rights and gay adoption issues. As a foster and adoptive mother herself, she has used her platform to raise awareness and promote inclusivity. Her dedication to these causes earned her recognition as The Advocate’s 2002 Person of the Year.
In recent years, O’Donnell starred in the Showtime comedy series SMILF from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, she continues to be a television producer and remains a collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company, R Family Vacations.
Early Life:
Roseann O’Donnell was born and raised in Commack, Long Island, New York. Her parents were Roseann Teresa (née Murtha) and Edward Joseph O’Donnell. Edward, an electrical engineer who worked in the defense industry, immigrated from County Donegal, Ireland during his childhood. O’Donnell’s mother had Irish American heritage. She grew up in a Roman Catholic household alongside her four siblings, including her older brother, Daniel J. O’Donnell, who is now a member of the New York State Assembly.
Tragically, O’Donnell lost her mother to breast cancer on March 17, 1973, just four days before her 11th birthday. Despite this heartbreaking loss, she excelled during her high school years at Commack High School. O’Donnell was voted homecoming queen, prom queen, senior class president, and class clown, showcasing her charismatic personality and comedic talent. It was during these formative years that she began exploring her interest in comedy, initially performing a skit in which she imitated Gilda Radner’s character, Roseanne, in front of her school.
Awards:
– Daytime Emmy Awards (won several for The Rosie O’Donnell Show)