Rosie O'Donnell
Raised Roman Catholic, O'Donnell lost her mother to cancer as a pre-teen and has stressed the importance of protecting children and supporting families throughout her career. O'Donnell started her comedy career while still a teenager and her big break was on the talent show Star Search when she was twenty years old. A TV sitcom and a series of movies introduced her to a larger national audience and in 1996 she started hosting The Rosie O'Donnell Show which won multiple Emmy awards.
During her years on The Rosie O'Donnell Show she wrote her first book, a memoir called Find Me and developed the nickname "Queen Of Nice" as well as a reputation for philanthropic efforts. She used the book's $3 million advance to establish her own For All Kids foundation and promoted other charity projects encouraging other celebrities on her show to also take part. O'Donnell came out stating "I'm a dyke!" two months before finishing her talk show run, saying that her primary reason was to bring attention to gay adoption issues. O'Donnell is a foster—and adoptive—mother. She has since continued to support many LGBT causes and issues.
In 2006 O'Donnell became the new moderator on The View boosting ratings and attracting controversies with her liberal views, and strong personality, dominating many of the conversations. She became a polarizing figure to many and her strong opinions resulted in several notable controversies including an on-air dispute regarding the Bush administration's policies with the war in Iraq resulting in a mutual agreement to cancel her contract. In 2007 O'Donnell also released her second memoir, Celebrity Detox, which focuses on her struggles with fame and her time at The View. She continues to do charity work and remains involved with LGBT and family-related issues. She is best known for her inaccurate prediction that Donald Trump will never be the President of the United States. In 2008 O'Donnell starred in and executive produced America (2009 film), a Lifetime channel original movie in which she plays the therapist of the title character, a 16-year-old boy aging out of the foster care system. The film is based on the E.R. Frank book of the same name.
In October 2009, she appeared in the original cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore. In November 2009 "Rosie Radio", a daily two-hour show with O'Donnell discussing news and events on Sirius XM Radio, premiered. O'Donnell said she was approached by the company after she appeared on The Howard Stern Show. O'Donnell has signed on with the Oprah Winfrey Network OWN to return to daytime TV with a talk show in Fall 2011.
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Filmography (156 Appearances)
Broadway: The Next Generation
The Assembly Ireland
She Raised Me
Sam Pang Tonight
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
The Grievance
The Matthew Shepard Story: An American Hate Crime
Rosie's Theater Kids
Being Mary Tyler Moore
Bonnie
Meat Loaf - A Celebration Of Life
American Gigolo
A League of Their Own
Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration
And Just Like That…
Hacks
I Know This Much Is True
Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Stars in the House
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall
Russian Doll
25 Words or Less
SMILF
The Words That Built America
Time: The Kalief Browder Story
When We Rise
Hairspray Live!
The $100,000 Pyramid
Match Game
Everything Is Copy
Difficult People
Celebrity Family Feud
Pitch Perfect 2
Roseanne for President!
The Late Late Show with James Corden
Rosie O'Donnell: A Heartfelt Stand Up
Empire
The (Dead Mothers) Club
Late Night with Seth Meyers
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Have You Been Paying Attention?
Mom
Hollywood Game Night
The Fosters
Me @ the Zoo
Smash
Impractical Jokers
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
The Rosie Show
Web Therapy
The Undefeated
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up
The Fran Drescher Show
Teenage Paparazzo
One Night Only: Barbra Streisand and Quartet at the Village Vanguard
Who Do You Think You Are?
A Family Is a Family Is a Family: A Rosie O'Donnell Celebration
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Drop Dead Diva
America
Ruby
Little Britain USA
Web Therapy
Million Dollar Password
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway
The Madness of Boy George
All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise
I'm Going to Tell You a Secret
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
Riding the Bus with My Sister
The Lady in Question Is Charles Busch
Pursuit of Equality
American Dad!
The Tony Danza Show
Nip/Tuck
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Celebrities Uncensored
The Very Best of America's Funniest Comedians
Listen to Her Heart: The Life and Music of Laurie Beechman
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
Artists and Orphans: A True Drama
Last Party 2000
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Primetime Glick
The Gun Deadlock
Laughing Out Loud: America's Funniest Comedians
Queer As Folk
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas
A Rosie Christmas
Time of Your Life
Third Watch
Judging Amy
Teen Choice Awards
Tarzan
Jackie's Back!
Discovering Bedrock
Kids Are Punny
Celine: These Are Special Times
Will & Grace
Hollywood Squares
Wide Awake
Sesame Street: Elmopalooza!
Say It, Fight It, Cure It
Ally McBeal
The View
Austin Powers' Electric Psychedelic Pussycat Swingers Club
The Practice
Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary Party
Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life
The Twilight of the Golds
Suddenly Susan
Spin City
Blue's Clues
A Very Brady Sequel
E! True Hollywood Story
Harriet the Spy
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful
Beautiful Girls
Now and Then
Bless This House
Rosie O'Donnell
Exit to Eden
Inside the Actors Studio
The Flintstones
Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
I'll Do Anything
Car 54, Where Are You?
Intimate Portrait
The Nanny
Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration
Fatal Instinct
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Show with David Letterman
Another Stakeout
Sleepless in Seattle
The Larry Sanders Show
A League of Their Own
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Stand By Your Man
The Ren & Stimpy Show
Beverly Hills, 90210
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Kids' Choice Awards
Jeopardy!
Gimme a Break!
Entertainment Tonight
CNN Special Report
Saturday Night Live