Rosie O'Donnell Biography And Filmography:

Openly gay comedienne and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell first made a name for herself with her Long Island accent and stand-up comedy, and later as the friendly star of films and, most markedly, her popular daytime television talk show, “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” (1996-2002). Just before leaving her comfortable television job, the comic came out of the closet, revealing both her homosexuality and a whole new side to her personality. Taking on everything from the National Rifle Association to the President of the United States to the government of the Bahamas, Rosie O’Donnell let the issues fly, speaking her mind as she had always done – only this time, without the limitations of her talk show personality. To the joy of fans who still missed her vigorous fun loving show on television, O'Donnell returned to daytime by replacing moderator Meredith Vieira on "The View" (1997- ) and watched as ratings jumped with her arrival.

Born March 21, 1962 into an Irish-American family in Commack, Long Island, Rosie O’Donnell was the middle of five children. Her mother died when she was ten years old – a disturbing event that would effect almost every aspect of her adult life. As with all good comedians, O’Donnell focused her pain into comedy, creating her shameless, bold approach while still a Long Island high school student. Rosie dropped out of college, choosing the life of the comedy stand-up circuit. 

Perfecting her skill while on the road, Rosie went on to make her television debut on "Star Search" in 1984, winning the talent show's comedy competition five times. After making her series debut as Nell Carter's neighbor on "Gimme a Break" in 1986, O'Donnell let loose her down to earth humor and expanded her influence as host and producer of VH1's "Stand-Up Spotlight," which would later lead to to her own television series. Fox's dark comedy "Stand by Your Man" (1992) cast her opposite Melissa Gilbert as one of two sisters living together while their husbands serve time in jail for robbery. While the charming idea did not register with viewers, the show was a good means of expression for Rosie, allowing her to improvise and sharpen her scene-stealing skill for the film career that would follow.

Rosie O'Donnell's impressive feature film debut as Doris Murphy, the third basewoman with the mouth of a truck driver, in Penny Marshall's "A League of Their Own" (1992) starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis and Madonna. During the filming of the movie, she became friends with co-star Madonna, someone who had also lost her mother at a young age. After appearing as Meg Ryan's hilarious friend in "Sleepless in Seattle," she starred with Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez in "Another Stakeout" (1993), playing a district attorney who goes undercover to find a missing witness. 

O'Donnell next appeared as Betty Rubble in the popular live-action film version of "The Flintstones" with John Goodman and Halle Berry. Next was the undercover cop investigating a sexual fantasies resort in the comedy "Exit to Eden" (1994). She then played a doctor in the female group comedy "Now and Then" (1995) with Demi Moore, which she followed with another smart mouthed character in the comedy "Beautiful Girls" (1996) with Natalie Portman and Uma Thurman.

The defining moment of Rosie's life had always been the death of her mother from cancer, staying on track despite the hole left by her mother's passing. Working 12-hour days while filming the children's movie "Harriet the Spy" (1996), Rosie went back to her hotel room one day to discover that her adopted son refused to approach her; going instead to the nanny. Rosie called her agent and promptly declined all  film projects. Instead, Rosie started on a career as host and executive producer of her own daily talk and variety show, "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." The show was a definite throwback to the daytime talk fests she had grown up watching,  in contrast to the tabloid mockery of shows hosted by Jerry Springer and Ricki Lake. O'Donnell won Outstanding Talk Show Host Daytime Emmy Awards for her work.

Originally, the writers wanted Rosie to be the witty, harsh tongued woman she was on her 1995 HBO comedy special, but O'Donnell's golden rule – "Never say anything on the air that you wouldn't say to someone's face" – won out in the end, winning her the title 'Queen of Nice,' originally given to her by Newsweek magazine. O'Donnell captivated audiences with her tenderness, wit and honesty and blatantly profiled her own heroes like Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Elton John and Tom Cruise, appearing as star struck as anyone watching at home. During her run, Rosie regularly directed the spotlight on various charitable projects, all of which profited from her publicity. 

 Even Broadway profited from O'Donnell’s fascination with stage productions. An uncommon practice at the time, Rosie featured lengthily production numbers from Broadway musicals as her talk show “musical guest,” bringing the art form into the homes of millions of Americans. Her passionate promotion of the theater – compared to Oprah Winfrey profiling a good book – certainly impacted ticket sales for productions like "The Lion King," "Ragtime" and "Titanic" and resulted in her hosting the 1997 and 1998 Tony Awards.

Also like Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O'Donnell teamed with the publishers of McCall's to overhaul the magazine as Rosie's McCall's (or, more commonly, Rosie) in 2000. Instead of covering the magazine with thin and sexy models, Rosie selected stories about depression, breast cancer and foster care. A fighter on the front against breast cancer, she was also a determined promoter for kids, in private conceding "I'm like Schindler at the end of that movie – 'If I could just save one more.'" Without a doubt, her pledge to children would later lead to a public admission of her homosexuality, prompted on by a Florida law that would not allow gay men or lesbians to adopt.

There had always been rumor, but nothing was ever confirmed by O’Donnell or the mainstream press. By 2002, O’Donnell felt it was time to see if her fans that loved her would accept her. That January, Rosie made a guest appearance on "Will & Grace," (1998-2006), playing the role of a lesbian. The scriptwriters intentionally  put the words "I'm gay" into her mouth before she officially "came out." Shortly before leaving her show and handing over the wheel to comic Caroline Rhea, O'Donnell confirmed the rumors about her sexuality, admitting to a long relationship with girlfriend Kelli Carpenter. 

Rosie stated numerous reasons for doing so, including the need for publicity and to put a well-known and accepted face to homosexuality, but her main reason was that as a lesbian adoptive mother (with a long-time lover) she was enraged that adoption agencies, particularly in Florida, were rejecting adoptive rights to able, gay parents. Rosie hoped that by coming out, it would amplify awareness of the subject – as many of the people lobbying against gay parental adoption had watched her show each day, commenting on how good she was with kids.

After leaving her television show, O’Donnell ran up against a couple of years of bad luck and bad press – most brought on by her new aggressive personality, but also by a press and public uncomfortable with the “new Rosie.” Then, the manly haircut suggestive of a 1980s half mullet and half shaved head – a much criticized look by the tabloid press. Rosie said it was a tribute to Boy George.  O’Donnell then got into a vicious lawsuit with the publishers of Rosie magazine. 

The publishers believed the failure of the magazine was due to O'Donnell's stubborn, vulgar and violent behavior at the magazine's offices, and that by removing herself from the magazine's publication, Rosie was in breach of contract. O'Donnell countered that there was no way she could in good conscience be associated with the magazine, because they were moving away from her vision. The trial received significant media coverage. Eventually, the judge ruled against both sides and dismissed the case. Rosie folded due to lack of advertising. 

Rosie O’Donnell then made headlines when she and Kelli Carpenter entered into a legal marriage union some two weeks after San Francisco authorized the granting of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Rosie also spoke out against President George W. Bush’s support of a federal same-sex marriage amendment. The marriage license was later revoked by the California Supreme Court. In reaction to the anti-gay crusade being launched in Washington, the couple created "R. Family Vacations", a travel company targeted to gay and lesbian families. They launched a cruise ship that carried homosexual families from New York to the Bahamas, creating a documentary film about the trip, “All Aboard: Rosie's Family Cruise” (2006).

When Meredith Vieira announced she was taking over Katie Couric’s job on “The Today Show" (1952- ), Rosie was hired as Vieira’s replacement on "The View". On September 5, 2006, Rosie O’Donnell made her formal return to daytime television, with a new hair style and helping to launch season ten of the smash hit show "The View."

The first of O’Donnell’s infamous on-air fights occurred with conservative show-mate Elisabeth Hasselbeck. The biggest battle, however, came when O’Donnell took on Donald Trump after the real estate giant gave his Miss USA, Tara Conner, a second chance at keeping her title, following some party and drug related problems. As anticipated, Donald Trump shot back, calling O’Donnell “fat,” “a loser” and “disgusting.” The war of words intensified each day Trump would not let the issue drop, giving statements to anyone who would listen. 

After another round of insults with Donald Trump and a devastating appearance at the annual New York Women in Communication awards luncheon in April 2007 – where O’Donnell used foul language and criticized Barbara Walter’s friend, Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch from the podium – the comic announced to a shocked public that she would be leaving “The View” by June. 

Rosie has had only a few guest appearances since her departure from "The View", including three episodes of ""Queer as Folk" and four appearances on "Nip/Tuck". Rosie also worked behind the scenes as producer of the musical themed "After the Storm" (2008) a feature-length documentary film that follows a group of New York Broadway actors who were inspired to help the youth of New Orleans. 

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