Ellen DeGeneres Retires from Entertainment Industry at 66

Ellen DeGeneres has announced her retirement from the entertainment industry at the age of 66. DeGeneres gained fame for being an openly lesbian comedian, actor, and talk show host. Her notable credits include helming The Ellen DeGeneres Show and playing the forgetful but lovable blue tang, Dory, in the Finding Nemo franchise.

On July 3, at a show on her farewell stand-up comedy tour, “Ellen’s Last Stand … Up”, an attendee asked her, “Will we see you on Broadway or movies?” DeGeneres responded, “Um, no. This is the last time you’re going to see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done.” 

The Ellen DeGeneres Show ran from 2003 to 2022 and aired 3,371 episodes. Guests on the show included celebrities, politicians, and stars of viral internet videos who participated in interviews, pranks, and games with DeGeneres. The talk show aired its final episode on May 26, 2022, less than two years after facing accusations of mistreatment from former crew members and employees.

DeGeneres’ playful persona as a talk show host was called into question after a Buzzfeed News article published in July 2020 compiled anonymous complaints from ten former employees of the show. The reports included instances of racism, sexual harassment, and personal hostility perpetuated by DeGeneres. In September 2020, the season premiere of The Ellen DeGeneres Show began with an admission that “things happened here that never should have happened” and included an apology from DeGeneres for her mistreatment of her employees.

After announcing her retirement at her July 3 stand-up show, DeGeneres told the crowd, ” I got kicked out of show business for being mean.” She claimed, “I can be demanding and impatient and tough. I am a strong woman. (…) I am many things, but I am not mean.” 

Netflix has not yet published the name or air date of the final stand-up comedy special that marks the end of Ellen DeGeneres’ career, but the special has been confirmed to be released in late 2024.