Rosie O'Donnell is a renowned American comedian, actress, author, and television personality. She gained national recognition through her film roles, talk show hosting, and outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ rights.
Roseann O'Donnell was born on March 21, 1962, in Commack, New York, into an Irish-American family. She is the third of five children of Roseann Teresa and Edward Joseph O'Donnell. Her father worked as an electrical engineer in the defense sector. Tragedy struck early in her life when her mother passed away from cancer when Rosie was just ten years old. In the absence of her mother and with limited family interaction, she spent much of her time watching television, which later sparked her interest in the entertainment industry.
O'Donnell chose to leave Dickinson College after one year to pursue a career in entertainment. She quickly found her footing in stand-up comedy and gained early exposure with a series of television appearances, including on the talent competition Star Search, which launched many performers’ careers in the 1980s. In 1988, she hosted and produced Stand-Up Spotlight on VH1, showcasing up-and-coming comedians.
Her breakthrough into mainstream entertainment came through her role on the NBC sitcom Gimme a Break! and subsequently in a variety of film roles throughout the 1990s. O’Donnell became especially prominent through her widely acclaimed daytime talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, which premiered in 1996. The show was a commercial and critical success, earning multiple Emmy Awards and cementing her status as a household name.
Beyond hosting her own show, O'Donnell remained active in television through various guest spots and was a co-host on the daytime panel show The View during two separate periods. She also engaged in writing, contributing columns for magazines and becoming a blogger known for addressing social and political issues.
A passionate and visible advocate for LGBTQ rights, O’Donnell has used her public platform to support equal rights and visibility for lesbian and gay families. She co-founded R Family Vacations, a travel company catering to LGBTQ families and allies. By combining family-friendly programming with inclusive values, the company broke new ground in the travel and hospitality industry.
Rosie O’Donnell continues to influence both the entertainment and LGBTQ communities through her work as a comedian, activist, and media figure.
| Net Worth 2021: | 120 million |
