Rosie O'Donnell

Rosie O'Donnell, born on March 21, 1962, is a multifaceted American entertainer known for her work as an actor, television presenter, comedian, and writer. She began her journey in comedy as a teenager, gaining significant recognition after her appearance on the television series Star Search in 1984. This breakthrough led to a series of roles in both television and film, ultimately culminating in her own daytime talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, which aired from 1996 to 2002 and earned multiple Daytime Emmy Awards. During this time, she became affectionately known as the 'Queen of Nice' and was recognized for her philanthropic efforts.

In 2002, O'Donnell publicly came out as a lesbian, becoming a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and issues surrounding gay adoption. Her contributions to the community were acknowledged when she was named The Advocate's Person of the Year in 2002. O'Donnell is also a foster and adoptive mother and has continued her advocacy work through various platforms, including her role as a contributor to The Advocate in 2023 and her involvement with R Family Vacations, a company focused on LGBT family vacations.

O'Donnell's career has not been without controversy; from 2006 to 2007, she served as the moderator on The View, where she engaged in high-profile disputes, including a public feud with Donald Trump. She later hosted Rosie Radio on Sirius XM from 2009 to 2011 and had a brief stint with The Rosie Show on the Oprah Winfrey Network from 2011 to 2012. After returning to The View in 2014 for a short five-month period, she starred in the Showtime comedy series SMILF from 2017 to 2019.

Beyond her work in entertainment, O'Donnell is also an accomplished author, having penned several memoirs, including Find Me and Celebrity Detox. The advance for Find Me, amounting to three million dollars, was used to establish her For All foundation, which promotes charitable initiatives and encourages celebrity involvement. In early 2025, following Trump's second presidential inauguration, O'Donnell relocated to Ireland and sought Irish citizenship through descent, amidst ongoing political tensions.