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Roseann O'Donnell (born March 21, 1962) is an American talk show host, comedian, and actress.[1] She began her comedy career as a teenager and received her breakthrough on the television series Star Search in 1984. After a series of television and film roles that introduced her to a larger national audience, O'Donnell hosted her own syndicated daytime talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, between 1996 and 2002, which won several Daytime Emmy Awards. During this period, she developed the nickname "Queen of Nice", as well as a reputation for philanthropic efforts.

Key Information

O'Donnell came out as a lesbian in 2002. An outspoken advocate for lesbian rights and gay adoption issues, she is a foster and adoptive mother. Named The Advocate's 2002 Person of the Year, she became a regular contributor to the magazine in 2023. O'Donnell also continues to be a television producer and a collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company R Family Vacations.

From 2006 to 2007, O'Donnell endured a controversial run as the moderator on the daytime talk show The View, which included a public feud with future president Donald Trump and on-air disputes regarding the Bush administration's policies with the Iraq War. She hosted Rosie Radio on Sirius XM Radio between 2009 and 2011, and from 2011 to 2012 hosted a second, short-lived talk show on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network), The Rosie Show. O'Donnell returned to The View in 2014, leaving after a brief five-month run due to personal issues. From 2017 to 2019, she starred on the Showtime comedy series SMILF.

In addition to comedy, film, and television, O'Donnell has been a magazine editor, celebrity blogger, and author of several memoirs, including Find Me (2002) and Celebrity Detox (2007). She used the Find Me US$3 million advance to establish her For All foundation and promote other charity projects, encouraging celebrities on her show to take part.

In early 2025, shortly after Trump was inaugurated for a second presidential term, O'Donnell moved to Ireland and applied for Irish citizenship through descent. In July 2025, Trump threatened to revoke her U.S.-born birthright citizenship.[2]

Early life

[edit]

O'Donnell was born on March 21, 1962, in Commack, New York,[3] the third of five children of Roseann Teresa (née Murtha; 1934–1973) and Edward Joseph O'Donnell (1933–2015).[4] Her father immigrated from County Donegal, Ireland, during his childhood; her mother was Irish American.[1]

O'Donnell and her siblings were sexually abused by their father as children, and she stated that her family has a history of "generational abuse and alcoholism".[5] "There were a lot of tragic deaths, early deaths and alcoholism. There was a lot of abuse," she said of her father's family.[5] She was raised Roman Catholic.[1][6] Her brother is Daniel J. O'Donnell, the first openly gay man elected to the New York State Assembly.[7] On March 17, 1973, four days before O'Donnell's eleventh birthday, her mother Roseann died from breast cancer.[1]

While O'Donnell attended Commack High School, she was voted homecoming queen, prom queen, senior class president, and class clown.[3] During high school, she began exploring her interest in comedy, beginning with a skit performed in front of the school in which she imitated Gilda Radner's character, Roseanne Roseannadanna.[8] After graduating in 1980, O'Donnell briefly attended Dickinson College, later transferring to Boston University before ultimately dropping out of college.[3]

Career

[edit]

1979–1995: Stand-up and early work

[edit]

O'Donnell toured as a stand-up comedian in clubs from 1979 to 1984.[9] She got her first big break on Star Search, explaining on Larry King Live:[10]

I was 20 years old, and I was at a comedy club in Long Island. This woman came over to me and she said, I think you're funny. Can you give me your number? My dad is Ed McMahon. I was like, yeah, right. I gave her my father's phone number. I was living at home, I'm like, whatever. And about three days later, the talent booker from Star Search called and said, we're going to fly you out to L.A. ... I won, like, five weeks in a row. And it gave me national exposure.

O'Donnell at the 1992 Emmy Awards

After this success, she moved on to television sitcoms, making her series debut as Nell Harper's neighbor on Gimme a Break! in 1986.[3] In 1988, she joined music video station VH1's lineup of veejays.[3] She started hosting a series for VH1, Stand-up Spotlight, a showcase for up-and-coming comedians.[3] In 1992, she starred in Stand By Your Man, a Fox Network sitcom co-starring Melissa Gilbert.[11] The show bombed at the same time as her film career took off. O'Donnell made her feature film debut in A League of Their Own (1992) alongside Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna, the latter of whom became a lifelong friend.[6][12] She was originally considered for the role of Mary Sanderson in Disney's Hocus Pocus, but it was ultimately given to Kathy Najimy. O'Donnell claimed on her blog that she turned down the offer to work with Bette Midler because she refused to portray a frightening evil witch. Throughout her career, she has taken on an eclectic range of roles: she appeared in Sleepless in Seattle as Meg Ryan's character's best friend; as Betty Rubble in the live-action film adaptation of The Flintstones with John Goodman, Elizabeth Perkins, and Rick Moranis; as one of Timothy Hutton's co-stars in Beautiful Girls; as a federal agent comedically paired with Dan Aykroyd in Exit to Eden; as the voice of a tomboyish female gorilla named Terk in Disney's Tarzan;[citation needed] and as a baseball-loving nun in M. Night Shyamalan's Wide Awake.[13]

O'Donnell was considered for the role of Elaine Benes on Seinfeld.[14]

1996–2002: The Rosie O'Donnell Show

[edit]

In 1996, she began hosting a daytime talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, for her production company KidRo Productions.[15][16] The show proved very successful, winning multiple Emmy Awards,[17] and earning O'Donnell the title of "The Queen of Nice" for her style of light-hearted banter with her guests and interactions with the audience.[16] As part of her playful banter with her studio audience, O'Donnell often launched koosh balls at the crowd and camera.[18] She also professed an infatuation with Tom Cruise.[3]

With New York City as the show's home base, O'Donnell displayed her love of Broadway musicals and plays by having cast members as guests, encouraging the audience to see shows, premiering production numbers as well as promoting shows with ticket giveaways.

After the Columbine shootings, O'Donnell became an outspoken supporter of gun control and a major figure in the Million Mom March.[19] During the April 19, 1999, broadcast of her talk show, she stated, "You are not allowed to own a gun, and if you do own a gun, I think you should go to prison."[20] O'Donnell previously had remarked, "I don't personally own a gun, but if you are qualified, licensed and registered, I have no problem."[21] In May 1999, a month after the Columbine shootings, O'Donnell interviewed Tom Selleck, who was promoting The Love Letter. O'Donnell interrogated him about his recent unpaid commercial for the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and questioned him about the NRA's position on the use of "assault weapons". She said at the end of the segment the conversation had "not gone the way I had hoped" and added "if you feel insulted by my questions, I apologize because it was not a personal attack. It was meant to bring up the subject as it is in the consciousness of so many today."[22][23] Ironically, O'Donnell at that time was a multi-million dollar paid spokesperson for 5 years for Kmart, which was the largest volume firearms retailer in the United States.[24][25] Around the same time, the cast from Annie Get Your Gun was to appear on the show but refused O'Donnell's request to remove the line "I can shoot a partridge with a single cartridge" from the song "Anything You Can Do" and agreed to perform "My Defenses Are Down" instead.[26]

Later in 1999, O'Donnell discontinued her contract with Kmart as their spokeswoman, as gun enthusiasts complained that she should not be the spokesperson for the largest gun retailer. O'Donnell countered that Kmart sells hunting rifles, not handguns or assault weapons and does so legally, which she supports. Both Kmart and O'Donnell denied publicly that Kmart had terminated the contract.[27] In May 2000, O'Donnell's bodyguard applied for a concealed firearm permit. O'Donnell stated that the security firm contracted by Warner Bros. requested the gun. O'Donnell stated that because of threats, she and her family need protection.[28]

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Broadway and tourism in New York City was down and many shows were in danger of closing. O'Donnell was among many in the entertainment field who encouraged viewers to visit and support the performing arts. She announced that she would donate 1 million dollars for aid in the rescue efforts and encouraged other celebrities and citizens alike to "give till it hurts".[29]

In 2002, she left her talk show.[30] The show was replaced by The Caroline Rhea Show, with comedian Caroline Rhea, which ran for one additional season.

O'Donnell was a guest star on an episode of HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm entitled "The Bowtie".[31]

2006–2007: The View

[edit]
O'Donnell at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival premiere for the I Am Because We Are documentary, about the millions of orphans in the African country of Malawi who lost parents and siblings to HIV and AIDS

In September 2006, O'Donnell replaced Meredith Vieira as a co-host and moderator of The View, a daytime women-oriented talk show.[32] Star Jones, a co-host on the show, quit, with some speculating Jones's conservative views would be in constant tension with O'Donnell's more liberal counterpoint. O'Donnell had also disputed Jones's route of rapid weight loss, alluding that it must have been through gastric bypass surgery, rather than dieting and exercise alone as Jones had insisted, which also fed speculation about certain tension between the two. (Jones later confirmed that surgery was involved.) O'Donnell is credited with keeping the show's "buzz factor up".[33] She is also credited with making it more news-focused, though it still embraced the "fluff" of daytime TV talk shows (celebrities, fashion, and food).[34] Despite an overall downward trend for most daytime broadcast shows, ratings rose by 27% during O'Donnell's first year on The View.[35] The show was the fourth-most-watched in all of daytime in the key demographic of women ages 18–49 and scored record ratings in the total viewer category with an average of 3.4 million viewers—up 15% versus the same time in 2005.[35] O'Donnell moderated the opening "Hot Topics" portion of the show, where news items were discussed. O'Donnell gave the show a more political slant, and she and fellow comic Joy Behar often gave strong opinions against former President Bush's domestic and foreign policies, including the Iraq War. As a conservative counterpoint, Elisabeth Hasselbeck would usually support the Bush administration's policies and the two would get into an adversarial give-and-take.

In November 2006, Rosie commented on Kelly Ripa's complaints to Regis Philbin about guest co-host Clay Aiken on Live with Regis and Kelly. Kelly said she was angry at Aiken for jokingly putting his hand over her mouth during an interview segment. Rosie told the other panelist on The View that Kelly made a homophobic comment about Clay. Kelly was watching the segment and quickly called into the live segment to tell Rosie that Kelly's complaint about Aiken was not about homophobia; the issue was it is flu season.[36] Kelly has in the past placed her hand over Regis' mouth as a joke during non-flu season.[37]

Encouraged by the show to be outspoken, O'Donnell sometimes provoked debate, at one time stating "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam."[38] On the February 24, 2003, episode of Phil Donahue's talk show, O'Donnell referred to the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Boston resulting in $157 million awarded to 983 claimants,[39] stating "I hope the Catholic Church gets sued until the end of time. Maybe, you know, we can melt down some of the gold toilets in the Pope's Vatican and pay off some of the lawsuits because, the whole tenet of living a Christ-like life, has been lost in Catholicism."[40]

O'Donnell joked about communion rituals alongside co-host Behar's drunk priest comments.[41] On April 19, 2007, the panel discussed the Supreme Court of the United States's ruling in Gonzales v. Carhart, a decision upholding the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. O'Donnell cited a Florynce Kennedy quote, "If men could get pregnant abortion would be a sacrament" and asked rhetorically "How many Supreme Court judges are Catholic?" and "How about separation of church and state?"[42] Some conservative commentators deemed her statements "anti-Catholic bigotry" and suggested that such statements against other religions would not be tolerated.[42][43][44][45] O'Donnell's outspokenness and spontaneousness sometimes led to her views being recirculated by other media outlets, often surprising The View co-hosts including O'Donnell.[46][47][48] Frequently portrayed unfavorably by conservative media outlets and what she deemed as Republican pundits,[49] O'Donnell lamented that they were focusing on her comments instead of more important national and world issues.[47]

On December 5, 2006, O'Donnell used a series of ching chongs to imitate newscasters in China.[50][51] Vanessa Hua of the San Francisco Chronicle expressed disappointment in O'Donnell, given the comedian's championing of LGBT rights.[52] On December 14, O'Donnell apologized to those she offended, explaining that "Some people have told me it's as bad as the n-word. I was like, really? I didn't know that."[53] O'Donnell warned that "there's a good chance I'll do something like that again, probably in the next week, not on purpose. Only 'cause it's how my brain works." Time called it a "pseudo-apology".[52][54] O'Donnell later wrote in Celebrity Detox that "I wish I had been a bit more pure in my public apology."[55]

In December 2006, O'Donnell criticized Donald Trump for holding a press conference to reinstate Miss USA Tara Conner, who had violated pageant guidelines, accusing him of using her scandal to "generate publicity for the Miss USA Pageant" (to which he owned the rights) by announcing he was giving her a second chance.[56][57] O'Donnell commented that due to Trump's multiple marital affairs and questionable business bankruptcies, he was not a moral authority for young people in America. She stated, "Left the first wife, had an affair. Left the second wife, had an affair – but he's the moral compass for 20-year-olds in America."[57] In response, Trump began a "vicious" mass media blitz in which he appeared on various television shows, either in person or by phone, threatening to sue O'Donnell (he never did).[58] He called her names, insulted her by saying he'd "send one of my friends to pick up her girlfriend [Kelli] and I think it would be easy", and claimed that Barbara Walters regretted hiring her.[58][59][60][61] Walters was stuck in the middle as a social acquaintance of Trump's, and said O'Donnell did not feel like Walters defended her enough, which led to what both women agreed was an unfortunate confrontation in one of the dressing rooms.[62] "I had pain and hurt and rejection," O'Donnell said, "sometimes [my emotions] overwhelm me. Sometimes I get flooded."[62] Walters denied that she was unhappy with O'Donnell, saying, "I have never regretted, nor do I now, the hiring of Rosie O'Donnell."[61] Rosie and Donald Trump have a history of feuding on social media and on television since December 2006.[63]

On April 25, 2007, ABC announced that O'Donnell would be leaving the show before the end of the year because of a failure to reach agreement on a new contract.[64]

O'Donnell condemned many of the Bush administration's policies, especially the war in Iraq and the resulting occupation.[65] She also questioned the official explanation for the destruction of the World Trade Center, and stating in one episode, "I do believe that it's the first time in history that fire has ever melted steel".[66][67] She consistently mentioned recent military deaths and news about the war and criticized the U.S. media for its lack of attention to these issues compared to media coverage throughout the world. This led to a series of heated exchanges with co-host Hasselbeck, as well as "the most-discussed moment of her professional life."[62] On May 17, 2007, O'Donnell rhetorically asked, "655,000 Iraqi civilians dead. Who are the terrorists? ... if you were in Iraq and another country, the United States, the richest in the world, invaded your country and killed 655,000 of your citizens, what would you call us?"[68] Conservative commentators criticized O'Donnell's statements, saying that she was comparing American soldiers to terrorists.[49] On May 23, 2007, a heated discussion ensued, in part, because of what O'Donnell perceived as Elisabeth Hasselbeck's unwillingness to defend O'Donnell from the criticisms; O'Donnell asked Hasselbeck, "Do you believe I think our troops are terrorists?" Hasselbeck answered in the negative but also stated "Defend your own insinuations."[49][69][70][71] O'Donnell was hurt and felt Hasselbeck had betrayed her friendship: "there's something about somebody being different on TV toward you than they are in the dressing room. It didn't really ring true for me."[62] O'Donnell stated that Republican pundits were mischaracterising her statements and the right-wing media would portray her as a bully, attacking "innocent pure Christian Elisabeth" whenever they disagreed.[49] O'Donnell decided to leave the show that day, but afterwards stated that the reason was not the argument itself, but rather the fact that she saw on the studio monitor that the camera had shown a split screen, with her and Hasselbeck on either side. O'Donnell felt that the show's director and producer "had to prepare that in advance ... I felt there was setup egging me into that position. The executive producer and I did not gel."[62] O'Donnell and ABC agreed to cut short her contract agreement on May 25, 2007.[72] ABC News reported that her arguments with Hasselbeck brought the show its best ratings ever.[73] O'Donnell was replaced by Whoopi Goldberg as the moderator of The View.

In May 2007, Time magazine included O'Donnell in their annual list of the 100 most influential people.[74][75] O'Donnell was named "The Most Annoying Celebrity of 2007" by a PARADE reader's poll, in response she said, "Frankly, most celebrities are annoying ... and I suppose I am the most annoying, but, whatever."[76]

In 2008, The View won an Emmy for "Outstanding Special Class Writing" for a specially themed Autism episode that O'Donnell helped create. Janette Barber, O'Donnell's longtime friend and producer/writer of The Rosie O'Donnell Show, accepted the award on behalf of herself and the other two winners, Christian McKiernan and Andrew Smith.[77][78]

2007–2012: The Rosie Show and blog

[edit]

In March 2007, O'Donnell started a video blog, Jahero, on her website Rosie.com answering fans questions, giving behind the scenes information and serving as a video diary. Originally featuring only O'Donnell and her hair and makeup artist Helene Macaulay, they were soon joined by her writer from The Rosie O'Donnell Show, Janette Barber.[79] Called Jahero, a name composed of the first two letters of each of their first names, they occasionally had short cameo appearances by View co-hosts Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Barbara Walters. Jenny McCarthy appeared once briefly, as has Hasselbeck's mother-in-law and O'Donnell's mother-in-law, her (now) ex-wife Kelli's mother. Kathy Griffin also appeared, where she read some of the questions. It became so popular that O'Donnell and her creative team considered an "on the road" version of the video blog using fan-submitted suggestions. O'Donnell was the front runner for the "best celebrity blogger" category in the 2007 Blogger's Choice Awards which she won.[80]

O'Donnell expressed interest in replacing long time host Bob Barker when he retired from CBS's game show The Price Is Right. Barker was a frequent guest on her talk show and told reporters that she "would make a fine host". Although it was reported he had "endorsed" her as a "possible successor", Barker said that he had no role in choosing his replacement.[81][82] In June 2007, she announced on her blog it was not going to happen and noted she was reluctant to uproot her family to move to California.

In 2008, O'Donnell starred in and executive produced America, a Lifetime channel film 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.[83] In October 2009, she appeared in the original cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore.[84]

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 Howard Stern's Sirius XM show.[85][86] The radio show ended in June 2011. In 2009, O'Donnell made another guest appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm, where she beat up Larry twice, in an episode titled Denise Handicapped.[31]

In 2011, O'Donnell began producing material for the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). In May 2011, The Doc Club with Rosie O'Donnell premiered, a show where O'Donnell moderated live panel discussions following premieres of OWN Documentaries. She has hosted specials for Becoming Chaz in May 2011 and Miss Representation in October 2011. In fall 2011, O'Donnell began full-time work on her new show, The Rosie Show, for OWN. The show taped at the Chicago studio formerly home to The Oprah Winfrey Show. The show debuted on October 10, 2011, to generally positive reviews.[87] OWN canceled The Rosie Show on March 16, 2012, with the last show taped March 20, on the eve of O'Donnell's 50th birthday. The final show aired on OWN on March 29, 2012. In a statement, Oprah Winfrey said:

I thank Rosie from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey. She has been an incredible partner, working to deliver the best possible show every single day. As I have learned in the last 15 months, a new network launch is always a challenge and ratings grow over time as you continue to gather an audience. I'm grateful to Rosie and the dedicated Rosie Show team for giving it their all.[88]

O'Donnell responded to the cancellation by thanking her viewers and the host city of Chicago:

I loved working with Oprah in the amazing city of Chicago. I was welcomed with open arms and will never forget the kindness of all I encountered. It was a great year for me—I wish the show was able to attract more viewers—but it did not. So I am headed back to my home in New York—with gratitude. On we go![88]

In 2011, O'Donnell made another guest appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm, competing for the affection of a bisexual woman with Larry in an episode called "The Bi-Sexual".[31][89]

2013–2016: The Fosters and return to The View

[edit]

In 2013, O'Donnell appeared in a number of television shows. First, she played "brash but astute" reporter Dottie Shannon in an episode of Bomb Girls,[90] followed by playing the voice of the Bouncing Bumble Queen in Jake and the Never Land Pirates.[91] After that, also in 2013, she appeared in two episodes of Smash as herself.[92] That same year she also appeared as herself in an episode of Impractical Jokers called "Everything's Rosie".[93]

In 2014, O'Donnell landed a reoccurring role as Rita Hendricks on The Fosters, "a tough yet compassionate woman who works for the foster care system and becomes a mentor to a member of the Foster family."[94] The character lasted through their 2016 season.[95]

In the fall of 2014, O'Donnell returned to The View as a co-host, with a newly re-vamped version of the show, along with Whoopi Goldberg returning as moderator and new co-hosts Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace.[96] On February 6, 2015, representatives for O'Donnell confirmed she would once again exit the panel. In a statement, made to The Hollywood Reporter, O'Donnell said, "[My health] got a little bit worse right before the holidays — [my doctor] was kind of concerned. ... I can't really fix [my personal life] right away, but I can fix [my job]."[97]

In 2015, O'Donnell made a cameo in Pitch Perfect 2, playing a co-host on The View. Deadline called the cameo "a bit that already seems dated."[98] That same year, she appeared in an episode of Empire, playing Pepper O'Leary, "a tough criminal who shared a cell for years with Cookie Lyon."[99] In preparation for the role, she hired an acting coach and stated, "I prepared for this like I've never prepared for anything in my career, because I didn't want to disappoint and I understood the pace at which they work."[99] O'Donnell also appeared as herself in two documentaries that same year. In April 2015, Roseanne For President! was released, a film about Roseanne Barr's presidential bid in 2012. O'Donnell appeared in the film alongside Michael Moore and Sandra Bernhard.[100] In September 2015, the documentary Everything Is Copy was released, a film by Jacob Bernstein about his mother Nora Ephron. O'Donnell appeared in the documentary to help "bring his mother into focus" along with a number of other celebrities.[101]

In 2016, O'Donnell made a two-episode appearance in the CBS series Mom, playing Jeanine, "the ex-girlfriend of Bonnie (Allison Janney)".[102] That same year, she was also a regular panelist on Match Game and appeared in one episode of The $100,000 Pyramid, where she competed against Kathy Najimy.[103] Later that year, O'Donnell also played the role of the gym teacher in Hairspray Live![104]

2017–present: Return to acting

[edit]

In November 2016, Showtime announced she had joined the cast of the comedy pilot SMILF.[105] The series aired from November 5, 2017, until March 31, 2019, and O'Donnell received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Tutu. On April 3, 2019, it was announced that O'Donnell would play the role of Lisa Sheffer in the HBO series I Know This Much Is True.[106]

In 2021, O'Donnell guest starred on the series Run the World and The L Word: Generation Q. On June 15, 2021, it was announced that she would star as Detective Sunday, alongside Jon Bernthal, in a series reboot of American Gigolo on Showtime, premiering in 2022.[107] In 2022 she voiced the role of the MTA subway announcements in the second season of Netflix series Russian Doll starring Natasha Lyonne.[108] That same year she appeared as Vi in the Amazon Prime Video series A League of Their Own (2022).[109]

Other ventures

[edit]

Rosie magazine

[edit]
Main article: McCall's

In 2000, O'Donnell partnered with the publishers of McCall's to revamp the magazine as Rosie's McCall's (or, more commonly, Rosie).[110] The magazine was launched as a competitor to fellow talk show hostess Oprah Winfrey's monthly magazine O. Rosie covered issues including breast cancer, foster care, and other matters of concern to O'Donnell. In the September 2000 issue, she shared that "she has struggled with depression her entire life" and decided to start medications when she realized her fears were affecting her family.[111] With a strong start and a circulation close to 3.5 million, things looked promising, but the magazine stumbled as conflicts emerged between O'Donnell and the editors.[112] The contract gave O'Donnell control over editorial process and editorial staff but veto power remained with publisher Gruner+Jahr USA.[113] O'Donnell quit the magazine in September 2002, following a dispute over editorial control.[113] "If I'm going to have my name and my brand on the corner of a magazine, it has to be my vision" she told People.[114]

Rosie magazine folded in 2003. In late 2003, O'Donnell and the publishers each sued the other for breach of contract. The publishers said that, by removing herself from the magazine's publication, she was in breach of contract. The trial received considerable press coverage. O'Donnell would often give brief press interviews outside of the courtroom responding to various allegations. Of note was a former magazine colleague and breast cancer survivor who testified that O'Donnell said to her on the phone that people who lie "get sick and they get cancer. If they keep lying, they get it again".[115] O'Donnell apologized the next day and stated, "I'm sorry I hurt her the way I did, that was not my intention." The judge, Ira Gammerman of the New York Supreme Court in Manhattan, dismissed the case, ruling that neither side should receive damages.[116]

Books

[edit]

In 1997, Rosie released the children's book Kids are Punny: Jokes Sent by Kids to the Rosie O'Donnell Show, which contained jokes she had received from children. A sequel titled Kids are Punny 2: More Jokes Sent by Kids to the Rosie O'Donnell Show was released a year later in 1998, and an HBO special was made based on the books. In April 2002, O'Donnell released Find Me, a combination of memoir, mystery and detective story with an underlying interest in reuniting birth mothers with their children.[117] In addition to cataloging her childhood and early adulthood, the book delved into O'Donnell's relationship with a woman with dissociative identity disorder who posed as an underage teen who had become pregnant by rape. The book reached number two on The New York Times bestseller list.

In October 2007, she released Celebrity Detox, her second memoir which focuses on the struggles with leaving fame behind, noting her exits from The Rosie O'Donnell Show and The View.

R Family Vacations

[edit]

In 2003, O'Donnell and Carpenter partnered with travel entrepreneur Gregg Kaminsky to launch R Family Vacations catering to LGBT families, "the very first all gay and lesbian family vacation packages" where "gays and lesbians can bring their kids, their friends, and their parents."[118] Although O'Donnell is not involved on a day-to-day basis, she does contribute to the creative aspects of "advertising and marketing materials" and initiated the idea for the company when she filled in as a last-minute replacement headliner on one of Kaminsky's Atlantis Events gay cruises and also came up with the name "R Family Vacations".[119] On July 11, 2004, the first cruise was held with 1600 passengers[120] including 600 children.[121] In addition to traditional entertainment and recreational activities, the company partnered with Provincetown's Family Pride, a 25-year-old Washington, D.C.–based organization that advocates for LGBT families[122] to host discussions on "adoption, insemination, surrogacy, and everything else that would be helpful to gay parenting."[123] All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise, a documentary film about the trip debuted on HBO on April 6, 2006, and was nominated for three Emmy Awards. Of the experience, O'Donnell stated "we didn't really realize the magic that was going to take place. People who had never met another gay family met other families and it was powerful."[121]

Taboo

[edit]

In late 2003, O'Donnell brought the musical Taboo to Broadway. She hired Charles Busch to re-write the book, and the story became "bitchier" and more focused on the rise to fame of the character based on Boy George.[124] It closed on February 8, 2004, after about 100 performances and "mostly bad" reviews.[125] O'Donnell described the show's production as "by far the most fulfilling experience of my career".[125] She has stated that she intends to bring the show back to Broadway, although Scott Miller writes that people are hesitant to get involved after the "train wreck" of the original production.[124]

Charitable work

[edit]

Over her career, O'Donnell has developed a reputation for raising funds and her own philanthropy to charitable causes. In May 1996, Warner Books advanced O'Donnell $3 million to write a memoir.[114] She used the money to seed her For All Kids Foundation to help institute national standards for day care across the country.[114]

Since 1997, Rosie's For All Kids Foundation, overseen by Elizabeth Birch, has awarded more than $22 million in Early Childhood Care and Education program grants to over 900 nonprofit organizations.[126] On October 30, 2006, she was honored by the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.[127] "It's our privilege to be honoring and hosting Rosie," said NYSPCC president David Stack in a statement.[127] "Her Rosie's for All Kids Foundation has awarded more than $22 million in grants to over 1,400 child-related organizations, and that's just one of her many impressive activities on behalf of children."[127] In November 2006, Nightline aired a video report about the opening of The Children's Plaza and Family Center in Renaissance Village, a FEMA trailer park in Louisiana.[128] This was an emergency response initiative of Rosie's For All Kids Foundation with the help of many local nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses, all efforts were to assist the families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

San Francisco public relations firm Fineman Associates awarded top prize to Procter & Gamble's designation of O'Donnell as "unkissable" in a promotion for Scope mouthwash on the 1997 annual list of the nation's worst public relations blunders.[129] In response to the promotion, O'Donnell partnered with Warner–Lambert's competitor Listerine, who donated bottles of mouthwash to the studio audience and donated $1,000 to charity every time a hosted guest would kiss her in exchange for O'Donnell promoting their product.[3] On occasion, the guests would offer multiple kisses, and People reported O'Donnell "smooched her way to more than $350,000".[3]

In 2003, O'Donnell and Kelli O'Donnell collaborated with Artistic Director Lori Klinger to create Rosie's Broadway Kids, dedicated to providing free instruction in music and dance to New York City public schools or students. Rosie's Broadway Kids serves more than 4,500 teachers, students, and their family members at 21 schools.[130] Currently, programs are in Harlem, Midtown West, Chelsea, Lower East Side, East Village, and Chinatown. All net profits from O'Donnell's 2007 book Celebrity Detox are also being donated to Rosie's Broadway Kids.[55]

In December 2006, at a one-night charity event on the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, Elizabeth Birch, executive director for the Rosie's For All Kids Foundation, confirmed that $50 million from O'Donnell's five-year contract were donated in an irrevocable trust to charity.[131] She is also reported to have contributed several hundred thousand dollars for rehabilitation therapies for war veterans who have lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan wars. On The Tyra Banks Show,[132] Banks brought up to O'Donnell that people don't realize that O'Donnell has given more than $100 million to charity.[133] In May 2007, O'Donnell and Pogo.com announced a joint effort to raise money for Rosie's All Kids Foundation.[134] EA, which owns Pogo.com, committed $30,000 and more money can be raised based on the amount of playing time people spend on certain games.[134] They also held a sweepstakes in which winners get to fly to New York and meet O'Donnell and attend a charity function as her guest.[134]

During the summer of 2007, O'Donnell was a guest on the multi-artist True Colors Tour, which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada.[135] The tour, sponsored by the gay cable channel Logo, began on June 8, 2007. Hosted by comedian Margaret Cho and headlined by Cyndi Lauper, the tour also included Debbie Harry, Erasure, The Gossip, Rufus Wainwright, The Dresden Dolls, The MisShapes, Indigo Girls, The Cliks, and other special guests. Profits from the tour helped to benefit the Human Rights Campaign as well as P-FLAG and The Matthew Shepard Foundation.[136] She appeared again on True Colors Tour 2008.

Personal life

[edit]

O'Donnell was a resident of Nyack, New York, after her 1996 purchase of "Pretty Penny", a Victorian river home previously occupied by Helen Hayes. O'Donnell later sold the home to businessman Edward M. Kopko in 2000.[137] She has lived in South Nyack, New York,[138] and owns a home in West Palm Beach, Florida.[139] O’Donnell relocated to the West Coast in the early 2020s.[140]

O'Donnell is a Democrat.[141] She has contributed funds to multiple political campaigns, including to the campaign to elect Senator Doug Jones of Alabama.[142]

On numerous occasions, O'Donnell has been outspoken about controversial topics. In 2007, she announced her opinion concerning the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, in which she questioned NIST conclusions, and alleged the United States government's involvement in the attacks.[143]

In March 2025, shortly after Trump was inaugurated for a second term, O'Donnell revealed in a TikTok video that she had moved to Ireland with her child, Clay, that January. She said "It's been heartbreaking to see what's happening politically, and hard for me personally as well. The personal is political, as we all know." She went on to say that she and Clay "just felt like we needed to take care of ourselves and make some hard decisions and follow through".[144] O'Donnell applied for Irish citizenship through descent.[145] Trump threatened in July 2025 to revoke US-born O'Donnell's birthright US citizenship. Initially O'Donnell moved to the Dublin coastal village of Howth in a rental house. After a few months, influenced by the local specialist school for her autistic daughter, they moved to the Dublin coastal suburb of Sandymount.[146]

Sexual orientation

[edit]

In her January 31, 2002, appearance on the sitcom Will & Grace, she played a lesbian mother. A month later, as part of her act at the Ovarian Cancer Research benefit at Caroline's Comedy Club, O'Donnell came out as a lesbian, announcing "I'm a dyke! ... I don't know why people make such a big deal about the gay thing. ... People are confused, they're shocked, like this is a big revelation to somebody."[147] The announcement came two months before the end of her talk show. Although she also cited the need to put a face to gays and lesbians, her primary reason was to bring attention to LGBTQ adoption issues. O'Donnell is a foster and adoptive mother. She protested against adoption agencies, particularly in Florida, that refused adoptive rights to gay and lesbian parents.

Diane Sawyer interviewed O'Donnell in a March 14, 2002, episode of PrimeTime Thursday. O'Donnell told USA Today that she chose to talk to Sawyer because she wanted an investigative piece on Florida's ban on gay adoption. She told Sawyer if that was done, "I would like to talk about my life and how (the case) pertains to me." She spoke about two gay men in Florida who faced having a foster child they raised removed from their home. State law wouldn't let them adopt because Florida banned gay couples and lesbian couples from adopting.[147] O'Donnell's coming out drew criticism from some LGBTQ activists, who cited her repeated references to being enamored of Tom Cruise on The Rosie O'Donnell Show as deceptive.[147] She responded in her act stating, "I said I wanted him to mow my lawn and bring me a lemonade. I never said I wanted to blow him."[148] After leaving her show and coming out, O'Donnell returned to stand-up comedy and cut her hair, telling the press that her haircut was meant to mimic that of former Culture Club backup singer Helen Terry.[149]

O'Donnell was named 2002's Person of the Year by The Advocate, and, in May 2003, she became a regular columnist for the magazine.[150] The magazine's editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, stated, "Today, Rosie's long and brave journey has led her not only to the cover of The Advocate – Rosie was honored with the magazine's Person of the Year Award for 2002 – but now to its chorus of voices, as a columnist."[150]

Marriages and children

[edit]

O'Donnell adopted her first child, Parker Jaren O'Donnell, as an infant in 1995.[3][151][152] Later, her wife Kelli Carpenter also adopted Parker. Parker is an aficionado of military history and in 2011 successfully lobbied his mother to send him to Valley Forge Military Academy.[153][154]

Carpenter and O'Donnell have four children together.[3][155] In 2000, the family took in foster child Mia (born in 1997), and announced intentions to adopt her. In 2001, the State of Florida removed Mia from their home, and O'Donnell has since worked extensively to bring an end to the Florida law prohibiting same-sex family adoption.[156][157]

On February 26, 2004, O'Donnell married Carpenter,[158] a former Nickelodeon marketing executive, in San Francisco two weeks after Mayor Gavin Newsom authorized the granting of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Her decision to marry Carpenter in San Francisco was seen as a show of defiance against then-President George W. Bush over his support for the Federal Marriage Amendment. She said in 2004, "We were both inspired to come here after the sitting President made the vile and hateful comments he made ... [O]ne thought ran through my mind on the plane out here – with Liberty and Social justice for all."[159][160] The couple was married by San Francisco Treasurer Susan Leal, one of the city's highest-ranking lesbian officials, and serenaded by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.[159] O'Donnell said during the trial over Rosie magazine she had decided to marry Carpenter, in part because even though they acted as spouses they legally were no closer than friends: "We applied for spousal privilege and were denied it by the state. As a result, everything that I said to Kelli, every letter that I wrote her, every e-mail, every correspondence and conversation was entered into the record ... I am now and will forever be a total proponent of gay marriage."[159]

In mid-November 2009, O'Donnell disclosed that Carpenter had moved out of their home in 2007. Their marriage had ended in August 2004, when it was among thousands voided by the California Supreme Court.[161][162]

O'Donnell began dating 40-year-old executive-search consultant Michelle Rounds in mid-2011. On December 5, 2011, during a break in the taping of The Rosie Show, O'Donnell announced to her studio audience that she and Rounds were engaged.[163] The two married in a private ceremony in New York on June 9, 2012.[164] On January 9, 2013, the couple announced they had adopted a baby girl.[165] In February 2015, O'Donnell filed for divorce from Rounds after two years of marriage,[166] and it was settled by October.[167] O'Donnell was awarded full custody of their daughter.[168] Rounds died by suicide on September 15, 2017.[169]

In August 2015, O'Donnell tweeted that her 17-year-old daughter, Chelsea, had gone missing from their home in Nyack along with her therapy dog.[170] Chelsea was found a week later in Barnegat, New Jersey. In 2024, Chelsea was arrested several times on charges involving drugs, child neglect, domestic abuse, and bail jumping[171].

Health

[edit]

O'Donnell has suffered with mental issues her entire life, attributing it to the sexual abuse that was inflicted on her by her father when she was a child. She struggles with major depressive disorder, PTSD, anxiety issues, and body-image issues and takes antidepressants. On her body-image struggles, she said, "I think it’s what your body does to protect you if you’re a kid who’s sexually abused, which I was."[172][173][174]

In the summer of 2000, O'Donnell suffered a staphylococcal infection after she accidentally cut a finger,[65] which incapacitated her for weeks and nearly led to her hand being amputated.[175] O'Donnell has acknowledged her struggles with recurrent major depressive episodes during the fall and winter months consistent with seasonal affective disorder.[176]

In 2008, O'Donnell said that she was not an alcoholic, and had temporarily given up alcohol to lose weight. She wrote on her blog: "'Cause I was drinking too much, 'cause I didn't want to any more, 'cause it is hard to lose weight when drinking, 'cause I can never have only one."[177] She started drinking again following President Trump’s first election victory in 2016, revealing, "I was very, very depressed. I was overeating. I was overdrinking … I was so depressed."[178]

O'Donnell suffered a heart attack in mid-August 2012. She said an artery was 99 percent blocked and a stent was inserted.[179][180] She later posted on Twitter that to reverse her heart disease she would adopt the whole foods, plant-based diet promoted by Caldwell Esselstyn.[181]

O'Donnell has Type 2 diabetes.[182]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Year Work Category Result Ref.
Daytime Emmy Awards 1997 The Rosie O'Donnell Show Outstanding Talk Show Nominated
Outstanding Talk/Service Show Host Won
1998 Outstanding Talk Show Won
Outstanding Talk/Service Show Host Won (tied with Oprah Winfrey)
Outstanding Writing – Special Class Nominated
1999 Outstanding Talk Show Won
Outstanding Talk Show Host Won
Outstanding Writing – Special Class Nominated
2000 Outstanding Talk Show Won
Outstanding Talk Show Host Won
2001 Outstanding Talk Show Won
Outstanding Talk Show Host Won(tied with Regis Philbin)
2002 Outstanding Talk Show Won
Outstanding Talk Show Host Won
2007 Outstanding Talk Show Host Nominated
Emmy Awards 1995 Rosie O'Donnell (stand-up comedy special) Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program Nominated
1996 The Larry Sanders Show Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
1999 Kids Are Punny Outstanding Children's Program Nominated
52nd Annual Tony Awards Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special Won
2006 All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise Outstanding Nonfiction Special Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards 1995 The Flintstones Favorite Movie Actress Won
2000 In recognition of self Hall of Fame Award Won
Tony Award 2014 "For her commitment to arts education for New York City's public school children." Isabelle Stevenson Award Won
Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards 2002 In recognition of her excellence and innovation in her creative works that have enhanced the perception of women through the medium of television. Lucy Award Won [183]
Queerty Awards 2024 In recognition of self Icon Award Won [184]

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986–87 Gimme a Break! Maggie O'Brien Cast member
1988–91 Stand-Up Spotlight Host Also producer
1992 Beverly Hills, 90210 Herself Episode: "Destiny Rides Again"
Stand By Your Man Lorraine Popowski 6 episodes
1994 The Ren & Stimpy Show Scout Leader Voice, episode: "Eat My Cookies"
Living Single Sheri Episode: "There's No Ship Like Kinship"
1995 Bless This House Peg Episode: "I Am Not My Sister's Keeper"
The Larry Sanders Show Herself Episode: "Eight"
1996–2002 The Rosie O'Donnell Show Host Also producer/executive producer
1996 The Nanny Cozette/Herself 2 episodes
Night Stand Herself Episode: "Is Bigger Better?"
1997 The Twilight of the Golds Jackie Television film
Suddenly Susan Herself Episode: "The Ways and Means"
1997–2001 Spin City Episode: "An Affair to Remember"
1998 Blue's Clues Episode: "Blue's Birthday"
Murphy Brown Ann Marie Delany Secretary No. 92 Episode: "A Man and a Woman"; uncredited
1999 Jackie's Back Herself Cameo
Time of Your Life Archer Fitzwith's Receptionist Episode: ""The Time She Came to New York"; uncredited
Ally McBeal Dr. Hooper Episode: "Let's Dance"
2000, 2024 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Contestant Walked away with $500,000 in May 2000, and $250,000 in July 2024.
2000 Third Watch Paramedic Episode: "Officer Involved"
The Practice Wedding Consultant Episode: "Settling"
2002 Will & Grace Bonnie Episode: "Dyeing Is Easy, Comedy Is Hard"
2003 Judging Amy Judge Nancy Paul Episode: "Judging Eric"
2005 Riding the Bus with My Sister Beth Simon Television film; also executive producer
Queer as Folk Loretta Pye Recurring role
All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise Herself Also executive producer
2005–11 Curb Your Enthusiasm Recurring role
2006–07 The View Moderator
2006–08 Nip/Tuck Dawn Budge Recurring role
2008 Little Britain USA Herself Season 1, episode 1
Rosie Live Also executive producer
Christmas in Rockefeller Center 2008
2009 America Dr. Maureen Brennan Television film; also producer
2009–10 Drop Dead Diva Judge Madeline Summers 4 episodes
2011 Who Do You Think You Are? Herself Episode: "Rosie O'Donnell"
The Doc Club with Rosie O'Donnell Host
2011–12 The Rosie Show Also executive producer
Web Therapy Maxine DeMaine Recurring role; 4 episodes
2012 Happily Divorced Katy O'Grady Episode: "Mother's Day"
2013 Bomb Girls Dottie Shannon Episode: "Something Fierce"
Captain Jake and the Never Land Pirates Bouncing Bumble Queen Voice, episode: "Follow the Bouncing Bumble!"
Smash Herself 2 episodes
Impractical Jokers Episode: "Everything's Just Rosie"
2014–15 The View Co-host
2014–18 The Fosters Rita Hendricks Recurring role
2015 Rosie O'Donnell: A Heartfelt Stand Up Herself Stand-up comedy special on HBO
Empire Pepper O'Leary Episode: "Sinned Against"
2016 Mom Jeanine 2 episodes
Match Game Herself Recurring panelist
Hairspray Live! The Gym Teacher TV special
2016–19 The $100,000 Pyramid Herself 3 episodes
2017 When We Rise Del Martin 2 episodes
Difficult People Vanessa Episode: "Code Change"
2017–19 American Dad! Townie Voice, 2 episodes
SMILF Tutu Main cast; 18 episodes
2020 I Know This Much Is True Lisa Sheffer Main cast; 5 episodes
2021 Run the World Dr. Nancy Josephson Episode: "My Therapist Says..."
The L Word: Generation Q Carrie 4 episodes
2022 Russian Doll Subway Announcer Voice, 6 episodes
A League of Their Own Vi Episode: "Stealing Home"
American Gigolo Detective Sunday Main cast
2025 And Just Like That... Mary Episode: "Outlook Good" (Season 3, Episode 1)[185]
Hacks Herself Episode: "Mrs. Table" (Season 4, Episode 6)

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1992 A League of Their Own Doris Murphy
1993 Sleepless in Seattle Becky
Another Stakeout A.D.A. Gina Garrett
Fatal Instinct The Pet Shop Lady
1994 Car 54, Where Are You? Lucille Toody
I'll Do Anything Make-Up Person
The Flintstones Betty Rubble
Exit to Eden Sheila Kingston
1995 Now and Then Roberta Martin
Beautiful Girls Gina Barrisano
1996 Harriet the Spy Ole Golly
A Very Brady Sequel Herself Cameo
1998 Wide Awake Sister Terry
1999 Get Bruce Herself Documentary
Tarzan Terk Voice[186]
2000 The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas Octopus Voice[186]
2001 Artists and Orphans: A True Drama Narrator
Hedwig and the Angry Inch Herself Archive footage
The Party's Over Documentary
2005 The Lady in Question is Charles Busch
ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway
Pursuit of Equality
2006 All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise Documentary; executive producer
2015 Pitch Perfect 2 The View Host

Web series

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2025 Battle for Dream Island Spool Voice, 2 episodes, credited as "Clay's Mom"[187]

Award ceremonies

[edit]

Radio

[edit]
  • Rosie Radio SIRIUS XM (2009–11)

Theater

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]

Discography

[edit]
Year Album Chart positions
US Holiday US
1999 A Rosie Christmas 1 20
2000 Another Rosie Christmas 3 45
Year Single US Country Album
2000 "Santa on the Rooftop" (with Trisha Yearwood) 72 A Rosie Christmas

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rosie O'Donnell

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Roseann "Rosie" O'Donnell (born March 21, 1962) is an American comedian, , television host, , and . She gained widespread fame as the host of the syndicated daytime The Rosie O'Donnell Show from 1996 to 2002, which received critical acclaim and won 11 , including six for Outstanding Talk Show Host. O'Donnell's acting career includes comedic supporting roles in films such as A League of Their Own (1992) and Sleepless in Seattle (1993), as well as Broadway performances in productions like Grease and . Publicly identifying as a in 2002, she became a prominent advocate for LGBTQ rights and has authored several books on and personal experiences. Her career has been marked by outspoken commentary on political issues, often aligning with liberal positions, including anti-war stances and criticism of the . O'Donnell is notably known for a long-standing public feud with , originating in 2006 over remarks she made about him on The View, which escalated into mutual personal attacks spanning nearly two decades. In March 2025, following the U.S. , she relocated to , expressing that the political climate made her feel unsafe in the United States.

Early Life

Childhood and Family Background

Roseann O'Donnell was born on March 21, 1962, in Commack, , New York, the third of five children to Joseph O'Donnell, an electrical engineer employed in the defense industry who had immigrated from , and Roseann Teresa Murtha, a homemaker of Irish American descent. The family adhered to Roman Catholic traditions, reflecting their Irish heritage, in a working-class suburban environment. O'Donnell's early years were marked by her mother's diagnosis with and eventual death from on March 17, 1973, four days before her eleventh birthday, when she was 10 years old. Following the loss, O'Donnell has recounted turning extensively to television viewing—nearly around the clock—as a primary escape and source of comfort, while her father assumed responsibility for raising the children amid the family's grief. Edward O'Donnell, who himself succumbed to cancer in 2015 at age 81, maintained a distant style post-widowerhood, contributing to a dynamic characterized by emotional restraint. The siblings included brothers and sisters, among them Daniel J. O'Donnell, who later entered New York politics; the group navigated the upheaval of their mother's absence, with O'Donnell later attributing the tragedy to fostering her initial reliance on humor as an outlet for suppressed emotions in the strict, Catholic-influenced home. This formative period underscored themes of loss and resilience in her upbringing, without evidence of her father's remarriage altering family cohesion significantly in available records.

Education and Early Influences

O'Donnell attended Commack High School South in , graduating in 1980. During her time there, she demonstrated an early aptitude for performance and humor, earning recognition as while also serving as senior , homecoming queen, and queen. These roles highlighted her charisma and comedic inclinations, which she later attributed to a childhood fascination with television variety shows and performers. After high school, O'Donnell enrolled at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where she studied but struggled academically, posting a 1.62 grade-point average during her freshman year. She transferred to , entering its conservatory program after auditioning for acting, but left both institutions without completing a degree after approximately two years to focus on entertainment pursuits. During her college years, O'Donnell began experimenting with , drawing inspiration from television icons like , whose format and she emulated in early performances. This period marked the initial causal development of her comedic style, blending observational humor with performative energy honed through campus activities and local gigs, setting the foundation for her professional trajectory without formal training.

Career Trajectory

Stand-up Comedy and Initial Breakthroughs (1979–1995)

O'Donnell began performing in 1979, starting at venues such as Catch a Rising Star in , where she developed material through repeated appearances in small clubs across the region. She toured comedy circuits, including [Long Island](/page/Long Island) spots like the East Side Comedy Club, refining an act centered on self-deprecating observations about her personal life and everyday absurdities, often drawing from her working-class background. This grind in modest venues, from 1979 to 1984, built her stage presence amid competition from emerging talents, though financial instability marked the early years with low-paying gigs. Her national breakthrough arrived in 1984 on the syndicated talent competition , where, at age 22, she competed as a female comedian and secured victories in the category, ultimately being declared champion after multiple rounds. The exposure from elevated her profile, leading to initial television opportunities that transitioned her from club stages to scripted roles. In the mid-1980s, O'Donnell landed recurring parts on sitcoms, including the role of Maggie O'Brien, Nell Carter's quirky neighbor, appearing in 10 episodes of Gimme a Break! during its sixth season from 1986 to 1987. These appearances showcased her comedic timing in ensemble settings, blending physical humor with character-driven bits, though critics noted the shows' formulaic nature limited deeper showcase. By the early 1990s, O'Donnell continued building momentum through stand-up specials and guest spots, culminating in her first Comedy Hour presentation in 1995, taped live at The Comedy Connection in and nominated for an Emmy for outstanding comedy special. The performance featured her signature affable, relatable style, poking fun at and personal anecdotes without edginess, which helped solidify her image as an approachable comedian prior to dominance.

The Rosie O'Donnell Show and Peak Popularity (1996–2002)

The Rosie O'Donnell Show debuted on June 10, 1996, in national syndication through Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, airing weekdays from a studio at NBC's Rockefeller Center in New York. The format combined elements of traditional daytime talk shows like those hosted by Mike Douglas and Oprah Winfrey, emphasizing celebrity interviews focused on acting, writing, charity work, and personal anecdotes, alongside musical performances, comedic sketches, and audience participation segments. O'Donnell positioned the program as a wholesome alternative to more confrontational, tabloid-oriented competitors such as Ricki Lake and Jenny Jones, prioritizing lighthearted, family-friendly content over sensational conflict. The show rapidly ascended to peak popularity, achieving record ratings in total viewership and ranking fourth among daytime programs in the of women aged 18–49. Its signature features included playful celebrity interactions—such as O'Donnell's energetic banter with guests like , which highlighted enthusiastic endorsements of films—and elaborate giveaways of merchandise, vacations, and experiences to studio audiences, fostering a sense of communal excitement and escapism from daily routines. Child-oriented segments, including visits from young performers and discussions of youth causes, reinforced its image as an anti-rat-race oasis amid the era's high-pressure media landscape. Critical and industry recognition followed swiftly, with the program securing the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding for five consecutive years from 1998 to 2002, and O'Donnell earning six straight wins as Outstanding Talk Show Host through 2002. Culturally, it influenced by elevating respectful, promotional celebrity discourse over exploitative reveals, setting a template for hosts blending stand-up humor with aspirational wholesomeness that prefigured shifts in how stars engaged audiences. This acclaim masked emerging strains, as O'Donnell's initial effervescent persona occasionally yielded to visible on-air edginess by the early , hinting at underlying pressures. After six seasons, the series ended on May 22, 2002, amid O'Donnell's self-reported burnout from the relentless production demands of 195 episodes annually, compounded by a desire to prioritize commitments over the grind. Market factors, including saturation in the syndicated genre, also contributed, though the program's dominance persisted until its close.

Hosting The View and Subsequent Fallout (2006–2007)

O'Donnell joined ABC's The View as co-host and moderator in September 2006, replacing Meredith Vieira who departed for NBC's Today show. Her role involved steering discussions among the panel, which included Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Sherri Shepherd, aiming to inject energy into the daytime talk format following O'Donnell's success with her prior self-titled syndicated program. Throughout her tenure, O'Donnell sparked controversies with outspoken views diverging from the show's established dynamic. In March 2007, she questioned the official account of the September 11, 2001, attacks, suggesting on air that the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7 resembled a controlled and implying potential involvement or , remarks that drew widespread criticism for promoting theories unsupported by analyses. These statements alienated viewers and advertisers, contributing to internal tensions as co-hosts like Walters pushed back against what they viewed as fringe assertions. Tensions peaked in a May 23, 2007, on-air confrontation with Hasselbeck over U.S. involvement in the . O'Donnell argued that American troops' actions, citing a disputed Lancet study estimating 655,000 Iraqi civilian deaths, equated them to terrorists in effect, prompting Hasselbeck to defend the military and accuse O'Donnell of undermining troops; O'Donnell later described the exchange as producer-orchestrated but maintained her critique of war policies. The heated , replayed extensively and amplified by ABC's live online commentary tracking viewer reactions, highlighted O'Donnell's combative shift from her earlier "Queen of Nice" persona. O'Donnell announced her departure on April 25, 2007, citing unresolved contract negotiations where ABC declined to guarantee her full salary or extend beyond a one-year option for the 2007–2008 season, amid escalating disputes. Her final episode aired May 25, 2007, following the Hasselbeck clash, with The View's ratings initially boosted by her presence—reaching decade-highs—but dropping 6% (232,000 viewers) in the subsequent month as advertisers pulled back from the controversy. The fallout marked a professional pivot, as O'Donnell's polarizing style strained relationships with network executives and co-hosts, contrasting her prior mainstream appeal and foreshadowing challenges in subsequent ventures.

Later Talk Shows and Returns (2007–2016)

Following her departure from The View in May 2007, O'Donnell hosted no television talk shows for over four years. During this interval, she focused on radio with Rosie Radio, a Sirius XM program airing from April 2009 to November 2011, which included celebrity interviews and personal commentary. In October 2011, she returned to television with on OWN, premiering on October 10 and airing weeknights at 7 p.m. ET. The format emphasized in-depth conversations, live performances, and audience interaction, initially featuring panel discussions before pivoting to solo guest interviews in an effort to boost engagement. The Rosie Show debuted to modest audiences of around 500,000 viewers but quickly declined, averaging fewer than 200,000 per episode in its time slot. OWN announced the cancellation on March 16, 2012, after 94 episodes, with the finale airing March 30; network executives cited insufficient ratings despite format adjustments and O'Donnell's efforts to promote it via and crossovers with . O'Donnell expressed disappointment but acknowledged the challenges of competing in a fragmented media landscape, stating in a post-cancellation that the show's innovative approach had not resonated as anticipated. O'Donnell made a high-profile return to The View in July 2014, confirmed by ABC on July 10 for season 18 alongside moderator , , , and newcomer after Shepherd's exit. The revamped panel premiered September 15, 2014, aiming to recapture the show's earlier energy with O'Donnell's return, though early episodes drew mixed reviews for cautious discussions amid network oversight. She co-hosted for five months, contributing to segments on pop culture, politics, and social issues, but tensions arose from reported behind-the-scenes conflicts and her personal stressors. O'Donnell announced her departure from The View on February 6, 2015, effective immediately, attributing it to family demands including an infant at home, teenagers needing attention, and the strain of a recent separation from her wife Michelle Rounds. She later elaborated that the role exacerbated health issues as a heart attack survivor from 2012, with stress posing risks she could not ignore, and sources indicated her daughter's behavioral challenges also factored into the decision to prioritize home life. This brief stint marked her final major talk show hosting role within the period, amid a shift toward selective media appearances and family focus.

Acting Roles and Recent Projects (2017–present)

O'Donnell took on a recurring acting role as Tutu, the eccentric grandmother to the lead character , in the Showtime comedy-drama series , appearing in 18 episodes across its three seasons from November 2017 to January 2019. The series, created by and starring , followed a single mother navigating life in , with O'Donnell's character providing comedic support through her brash, no-nonsense personality. Her performance drew attention for blending humor with familial dynamics, though the show faced criticism for its handling of sensitive topics and was canceled after its third season due to off-screen controversies involving Shaw. In 2017, she reprised a guest appearance in the NBC revival of Will & Grace, playing a character in one episode amid the sitcom's return after an 11-year hiatus. O'Donnell had previously appeared in the original run from 2003 to 2006. Later, in 2021, she portrayed Mary, a blunt friend offering advice, in an episode of HBO Max's And Just Like That..., the sequel series to Sex and the City. These television guest spots marked sporadic returns to acting rather than lead commitments. O'Donnell made a brief cameo as herself in the 2025 season 4 premiere episode of Max's Hacks, fulfilling a long-teased fan promise from her earlier involvement with the show's ; the appearance referenced her past era in a meta nod to comedian Vance's career. No feature films or major series roles followed immediately, aligning with a pattern of selective projects. As of October 2025, her on-screen output remains limited, with emphasis on voice work or media over extensive commitments, amid personal relocations including a move to in 2023.

Other Professional Ventures

Publishing Efforts: Rosie Magazine and Books

In April 2001, Rosie O'Donnell partnered with Gruner + Jahr USA Publishing to relaunch the struggling McCall's magazine under her name, Rosie, targeting a lifestyle audience with content on beauty, fashion, fitness, food, motherhood, and women's issues. The debut issue boasted an initial circulation of 4.2 million copies, leveraging O'Donnell's celebrity from her daytime talk show to emphasize family-oriented themes aligned with her public image as a mother. However, by September 2002, O'Donnell abruptly severed ties with the publisher amid escalating disputes over editorial control, including her objections to certain advertisers and content decisions that she viewed as compromising the magazine's integrity. Circulation had dipped to an average of 3.5 million paid copies for the six months ending June 30, 2002, with single-copy sales and subscriptions declining 14 percent year-over-year, falling short of the promised rate base. The magazine ceased publication two months later in November 2002, following O'Donnell's exit, which triggered a $100 million breach-of-contract from ; O'Donnell countersued for $125 million, alleging interference with her vision, but a 2003 ruling awarded no damages to either party. This short-lived venture reflected O'Donnell's attempt to pivot from television fame toward print media centered on and personal authenticity, but internal conflicts and softening ad viability—exacerbated by her rigid stance on content—undermined its . O'Donnell's publishing efforts extended to authorship, beginning with the Find Me in 2002, which detailed her childhood experiences with and dysfunction, marking an early post-talk-show exploration of personal vulnerability over celebrity gloss. In 2007, she released Celebrity Detox (The Fame Game), a reflective account of the psychological burdens of stardom, including her 2002 departure from , the addictive pull of public validation, and her partial return via The View, positioning fame as a detrimental force on private life and relationships. The book debuted at number five on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list, indicating commercial reception amid her rebranding toward introspective critiques of the entertainment industry, though specific sales figures beyond initial rankings remain undisclosed. These works maintained thematic consistency with the magazine's and anti-excess ethos, serving as vehicles for O'Donnell's shift to a of recovery and motherhood, distinct from her prior comedic , yet they did not replicate the broad commercial scale of her peak.

Family-Oriented Travel and Broadway Productions

In 2003, Rosie O'Donnell co-founded R Family Vacations with her then-partner Kelli Carpenter, establishing a travel company specializing in cruises and vacations tailored for LGBT families, emphasizing inclusive activities for children and luxury experiences aboard ships like those from . The venture launched its maiden voyage in July 2004 on the , departing from for , attracting around 1,500 passengers focused on family bonding in a supportive environment for same-sex parents and their children. Subsequent annual cruises, such as the second in 2005 and routes in later years, maintained this niche model but operated on a limited scale, partnering with mainstream lines while prioritizing targeted demographics over broad market appeal. By 2012, operational challenges emerged, including route adjustments to avoid ports like amid local anti-gay policies, underscoring the risks of niche branding in a variable global landscape. Following O'Donnell's 2007 separation from Carpenter, the company persisted under new leadership with expanded options like land-based trips, though its core family-centric focus reflected O'Donnell's evolving public image as an advocate for non-traditional households. Parallel to her travel initiatives, O'Donnell ventured into Broadway producing with Taboo in 2003, a musical biography of featuring his compositions and a book by , into which she invested approximately $10 million as lead producer. The production, which previewed on Broadway from October 2003 and officially opened in November, faced immediate critical backlash for its dated '80s club scene themes and uneven execution despite high-profile elements like Boy George's involvement. It closed after 100 performances in 2004, incurring substantial financial losses estimated in the millions, highlighting the high-stakes gamble of O'Donnell's first producing effort amid Broadway's competitive economics. This foray aligned with her family-oriented branding by extending her media persona into entertainment production, though its flop contrasted with the more sustained, albeit modest, trajectory of her travel business, illustrating varied entrepreneurial outcomes in promoting inclusive narratives.

Discography and Miscellaneous Media

O'Donnell ventured into music with two Christmas-themed albums released via , both featuring cover versions and celebrity duets rather than original compositions. A Rosie Christmas, issued in November 1999, included collaborations with artists such as Céline Dion on "The Magic of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone)" and on "Gonna Eat for Christmas." The album debuted at number 29 on the chart but achieved limited sustained commercial traction. Its sequel, Another Rosie Christmas, followed on October 31, 2000, with guest appearances including and on tracks like "Mele Kalikimaka." It peaked at number 47 on the , underscoring the modest market performance of O'Donnell's musical output amid a saturated holiday release season.
Album TitleRelease DateLabelPeak Billboard 200 Position
A Rosie ChristmasNovember 1999Columbia29
Another Rosie ChristmasOctober 31, 2000Columbia47
Beyond recordings, O'Donnell hosted Rosie Radio, a weekday talk program on Sirius XM's Stars channel (channels 102/109), debuting in fall 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. The show featured unscripted discussions, celebrity interviews, and comedy segments, continuing until mid-2011 without significant expansion into formats.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Charitable Initiatives

O'Donnell established the Rosie's For All Kids Foundation in 1997 to support care, , and related programs for underserved children, awarding more than $22 million in grants by 2023 primarily to initiatives providing tuition assistance, after-school care, and family support services. The foundation has funded over 1,400 child-related nonprofits, with a focus on organizations addressing transitions and arts access, though detailed allocation breakdowns emphasize early over arts-specific programs. Specific fundraisers included a 2006 event that generated $600,000 for the foundation. In response to her mother's death from in 1972, O'Donnell donated $1.5 million by 2003 to breast cancer research and support organizations, including participation in awareness walks and research funding drives. In 2006, O'Donnell created a $50 million irrevocable , directing portions toward general and rehabilitation for war veterans with severe injuries, such as limb loss from conflict. These efforts align with her broader pattern of leveraging media platforms for targeted giving, though show variance in reported totals across sources, with foundation grants consistently verified under $30 million disbursed.

Support for Specific Causes

O'Donnell emerged as a prominent advocate for stricter in the late 1990s, leveraging her platform on to promote bans on assault weapons and criticize organizations like the . In 1999, she publicly resigned from her role as a K-Mart after discovering the retailer's sales of firearms, framing the decision as a stand against gun proliferation. She engaged in heated on-air debates, such as her 1999 confrontation with , where she pressed him on NRA affiliations and argued that celebrities bore responsibility for influencing public policy on firearms. This advocacy included calls for enhanced background checks and restrictions on ownership, though opponents highlighted inconsistencies, including reports that her personal security detail obtained permits for handguns in 2000, raising questions about practical application versus rhetorical stance. On LGBTQ rights, O'Donnell has emphasized anti-bullying efforts directed at sexual minorities, particularly youth. In a 2012 , she decried societal "backwardness" in tolerating of teenagers amid rising suicide rates, linking such incidents to inadequate legal and cultural protections. Her public persona as an openly figure from 2002 onward positioned her as a of equality and visibility for non-heterosexual families, though specific policy campaigns were often intertwined with personal disclosures rather than standalone initiatives. Critics, however, have accused her of selective application of anti-bullying principles, citing instances like her 2016 social media speculation about Barron Trump's potential autism—shared via a video titled "Is Barron Trump Autistic? #StopTheBullying"—as hypocritical, given her prior advocacy against targeting vulnerable individuals. Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, O'Donnell initially voiced solidarity with first responders, including firefighters who lost over 340 colleagues in the World Trade Center collapse. She hosted segments on her show featuring survivors and raised awareness for recovery efforts, aligning with broad celebrity support for affected New York communities. Subsequent comments, however, fueled backlash: in 2006–2007, she questioned the official explanation for the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7, asserting on The View that "fire has never caused steel to melt" and implying controlled demolition, which many firefighters viewed as undermining the established causal role of fire and debris in the failures documented by NIST investigations. This stance drew rebukes for eroding public trust in empirical accounts of the event, with outlets like Popular Mechanics refuting her claims through structural engineering analyses. O'Donnell's environmental positions have been less formalized but include endorsements of sustainability initiatives, such as promoting reduced consumption and green living on her programs, though without leading major campaigns or quantifiable impacts. Opponents have critiqued her broadly for perceived selective outrage, arguing that her intense focus on issues like contrasted with muted responses to other causal factors in societal harms, such as or policy failures unrelated to her preferred narratives.

Political Engagement and Public Statements

Evolving Political Positions

During the 1990s, O'Donnell cultivated an image as the "Queen of Nice" on her daytime talk show, emphasizing family-friendly entertainment and avoiding overt political commentary to appeal to a broad audience. Her early career focused on comedy and celebrity interviews, with limited public engagement on partisan issues, though she began expressing anti-gun views following school shootings like Columbine in 1999, marking an initial shift toward more confrontational stances on social policy. By the early 2000s, O'Donnell's positions aligned more explicitly with left-leaning critiques, particularly opposing the George W. Bush administration's Iraq War policies, which she debated publicly on The View and cited as a factor in her 2007 departure from the program. She endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primaries after initially supporting Hillary Clinton and praised his 2012 stance on same-sex marriage as an act of "true leadership." In the and especially the , O'Donnell's rhetoric intensified against , whom she has opposed since a dispute, escalating to claims that the U.S. under his influence represents a "precipice of full-blown " and warnings of authoritarian decline. She has endorsed progressive electoral efforts, such as questioning Trump's 2024 swing-state victories and advocating for greater female political representation over "old white guys." Conservatives have rebutted these positions as hypocritical, noting O'Donnell's substantial personal wealth—estimated in the tens of millions—contrasts with her criticisms of economic excess, such as her 2025 condemnation of Bezos's lavish wedding while residing in a luxury Irish home. Her of opponents as fascists has drawn accusations of selectively invoking free speech protections, with critics arguing it stifles by equating disagreement with existential threats, particularly given her own history of platforming liberal viewpoints without similar restraint toward conservatives.

Advocacy on Social Issues

O'Donnell publicly identified as a in February 2002 during a stand-up routine in , explicitly stating her purpose was to draw attention to barriers faced by individuals seeking to adopt children, amid the state's longstanding ban on such adoptions. This disclosure positioned her as a high-profile example of a same-sex , aiming to humanize the policy debate and challenge stereotypes about capabilities. As a foster and adoptive parent to five children, O'Donnell actively campaigned for reforms to expand access for LGBTQ individuals, supporting legal challenges like the 2005 Lofton v. case against the state's prohibition and emphasizing the unmet needs of over 100,000 children in U.S. systems at the time. She highlighted how such bans exacerbated placement difficulties for foster youth, advocating for placements based on parental fitness rather than , and faced reported backlash from opponents who argued against normalizing same-sex households for child-rearing. Her efforts contributed to increased visibility for gay , though critics contended they prioritized adult preferences over children's developmental outcomes in traditional family structures. In October 2006, on the ABC program The View, O'Donnell stated that "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam" within the U.S. context of free speech, prompting accusations from religious conservatives and groups like the Catholic League of promoting anti-Christian bigotry by conflating doctrinal extremism with broader faith traditions. Critics, including commentators from outlets like the Christian Post, argued the remark minimized distinctions between Islamist terrorism and fringe Christian rhetoric, fostering unnecessary division and reflecting a selective intolerance toward religious viewpoints opposing her social positions. O'Donnell defended the comment as a critique of extremism rather than faith itself, but it fueled perceptions of bias against Catholicism and evangelicalism, contributing to her acrimonious exit from the show in spring 2007. In September 2025, O'Donnell used to urge the release of Jeffrey Epstein's files, framing the scandal as a warranting public accountability for elite involvement in child exploitation. While emphasizing imperatives, her posts referenced unverified associations, such as alleging certain political figures' presence on Epstein's purported client lists—claims echoed in her July 2025 responses to personal disputes but lacking corroboration from unsealed documents, which document flights and social ties without confirming criminal participation by those named. Fact-checks from contemporaneous reporting note that while Epstein's network included prominent individuals, direct involvement in abuses remains unsubstantiated for many cited, underscoring challenges in distinguishing proven facts from speculative advocacy on predation issues.

Major Controversies

Feuds and Professional Disputes

O'Donnell's tenure on The View from 2006 to 2007 was marked by tensions with co-host Reynolds, whose abrupt on-air announcement of departure in June 2006—framed as a surprise despite prior internal planning—coincided with O'Donnell's hiring as her replacement, fueling perceptions of behind-the-scenes maneuvering by producers to refresh the show amid sagging ratings. Jones later described feeling ambushed in subsequent appearances, though she and O'Donnell publicly reconciled their differences in a 2008 interview, attributing strains to competitive dynamics rather than personal animosity. A more public clash occurred on May 23, 2007, when O'Donnell debated co-host over U.S. military actions in , with O'Donnell stating that American troops' bombings causing civilian deaths equated to "terrorism" and questioning their moral distinction from insurgents. Hasselbeck, defending the troops, accused O'Donnell of undermining soldiers and became visibly emotional, later recounting in 2025 that the exchange left her in tears off-camera and rejecting O'Donnell's recent claim that producers had "set up" the confrontation to boost ratings, insisting it arose organically from ideological differences rather than orchestration. The incident, viewed by over 3.4 million households, amplified divisions between O'Donnell's anti-war stance and Hasselbeck's pro-military perspective, contributing to O'Donnell's decision to exit the show amid escalating contract disputes. Following her departure announcement in April 2007, ABC producers allegedly threatened legal action against O'Donnell if she terminated her contract early, prompting her to leave after fulfilling only seven months of a planned year-long stint and later criticizing the network's handling as punitive. This fallout highlighted ego-driven negotiations, where O'Donnell's insistence on creative control clashed with network demands for stability, contrasting with ideological sparks like the Hasselbeck debate that exposed deeper worldview incompatibilities on a panel format reliant on contrarian banter. In 2011, O'Donnell's syndicated talk show relaunched as on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network, but it averaged under 300,000 viewers per episode, leading to cancellation in March 2012 after 75 episodes. Tensions escalated when O'Donnell sought to relocate production to New York for personal reasons, a request OWN denied, prompting her public accusations of inflexibility and contributing to a professional rift with Winfrey, whose network prioritized ratings recovery over accommodations. Winfrey attributed the failure to mismatched programming strategy rather than personal conflict, though the episode underscored causal factors like O'Donnell's format experimentation—eschewing traditional audience interaction—versus OWN's need for broad appeal amid its launch struggles.

Trump Feud and Political Backlash

The feud between Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump began in December 2006 during a segment on The View, where O'Donnell criticized Trump's decision to allow Miss USA Tara Conner to retain her title after entering drug rehabilitation, questioning the consistency of his ethical standards as owner of the Miss Universe Organization and host of The Apprentice, which had fired contestants for lesser infractions. O'Donnell also mocked Trump's multiple corporate bankruptcies—six filings between 1991 and 2009—and his personal life, likening him to a figure from a reality show rather than a credible business authority. Trump retaliated immediately via press statements, labeling O'Donnell a "slob," "disgusting," and "a real loser," while attacking her physical appearance and suggesting her View role depended on not being conventionally attractive. The exchanges escalated into repeated personal barbs, with O'Donnell referencing Trump's bankruptcies and Trump countering with jabs at her career failures and looks; during a 2016 presidential debate, Trump cited O'Donnell's prior criticisms when defending his comments on women, stating she had been "very vicious" toward him. The conflict intensified during the 2016 election, as O'Donnell vocally opposed Trump's candidacy, endorsing and amplifying accusations of his unfitness for office, which Trump dismissed as partisan animosity rooted in their longstanding animosity. O'Donnell framed Trump as a threat to democratic norms, while Trump and his supporters viewed her as hyperbolic and self-serving, given her history of media stances aligned with left-leaning critiques often amplified by outlets with documented institutional biases against conservative figures. Following Trump's 2024 election victory, O'Donnell relocated to Ireland in early 2025, citing concerns over U.S. political direction and her Irish heritage, and began pursuing Irish citizenship while retaining her U.S. status. In March 2025, Trump publicly mocked her departure as an overreaction, and by July 12, 2025, he escalated via Truth Social, threatening to revoke her U.S. citizenship—impossible under law for natural-born citizens like O'Donnell—and declaring her "a Threat to Humanity" unfit to return. O'Donnell dismissed the threats as bluster, but reported tangible impacts, including missing her daughter's September 2025 college graduation due to fears of travel restrictions or enforcement. O'Donnell's perspective emphasizes existential risks from Trump's leadership, invoking fears of and societal division, as expressed in post-relocation interviews. Critics, including Trump allies, counter that her actions reflect sore-loser syndrome post-election loss, prioritizing personal exile over , with empirical evidence of no widespread policy threats materializing against domestic critics beyond rhetorical exchanges. This dynamic underscores a polarized narrative, where O'Donnell's alarms contrast with observations of policy continuity and electoral legitimacy, unmarred by the she anticipates.

Criticisms of Public Behavior and Statements

O'Donnell's public persona underwent a notable shift from her early "Queen of Nice" image during the 1996–2002 run of The Rosie O'Donnell Show, characterized by affable comedy and family-friendly appeal, to more combative rhetoric in subsequent appearances, particularly on The View from 2006 to 2007. Critics, including media commentators, attributed this evolution to a pattern of inflammatory statements that alienated audiences and peers, with some alleging it reflected a pursuit of attention through controversy rather than substantive discourse. A prominent example of perceived inconsistency arose from her staunch anti-gun advocacy, intensified after the 1999 shooting, where she lobbied for stricter controls and hosted events with figures like to promote . Yet, in May 2000, reports emerged that one of her bodyguards had sought a permit in for off-duty protection of her children, prompting accusations of hypocrisy from the and conservative outlets, as O'Donnell employed armed security despite her public absolutism against civilian gun ownership. O'Donnell defended the arrangement, asserting that her home security personnel did not carry firearms inside the residence and that professional protection differed from personal ownership, but detractors highlighted the disparity between her elite safeguards and the she advocated for ordinary citizens. O'Donnell's endorsement of 9/11 conspiracy theories further fueled critiques of erratic public behavior, as she repeatedly questioned the official account of the attacks, including claims on The View in March 2007 that "fire has never caused steel to melt like this" in reference to World Trade Center Building 7's collapse, implying controlled demolition. These remarks, which she maintained into later years by interviewing 9/11 truther groups, were lambasted by outlets like The New York Times and Popular Mechanics for promoting unsubstantiated narratives that undermined empirical investigations into the structural failures caused by fire and impact damage. In September 2006, O'Donnell equated "radical Christianity" with "radical Islam" as equally threatening in the U.S., stating on The View that the former posed a comparable danger to national security amid discussions of terrorism. This drew widespread rebuke from Christian organizations and conservative commentators, who cited disparities in empirical threats—such as Islamist extremism's role in attacks like 9/11 versus isolated domestic Christian radicals—and argued it minimized data on global jihadist violence while inflaming cultural divides. Polling proxies for backlash included a dip in The View's ratings during her tenure, correlating with viewer exodus over such polarizing outbursts. Conservative critics have also spotlighted perceived elitism in O'Donnell's 2024 relocation to amid U.S. political tensions, portraying it as abandoning the country she frequently lambasted—particularly under Republican leadership—while retaining U.S. citizenship and commentary privileges, a stance likened to hypocritical detachment from the civic consequences of her advocated policies. Media peers have echoed claims that her pattern of public disputes stems from attention-seeking, with figures noting how controversies sustained relevance post-peak fame but eroded professional goodwill.

Personal Life

Sexual Orientation and Public Disclosure

Rosie O'Donnell publicly disclosed her in February 2002 during a stand-up performance at Caroline's in , where she stated, "I'm a dyke." This announcement preceded the release of her Find Me on April 23, 2002, in which she elaborated on her experiences. By that time, O'Donnell had hosted since 1996, cultivating a image that appealed to broad audiences, including children, amid a cultural landscape where visibility for openly gay celebrities had increased following Ellen DeGeneres's 1997 but remained limited in mainstream . O'Donnell's motivations centered on personal authenticity in the wake of the , 2001, attacks, which prompted her to prioritize living openly rather than concealing her orientation amid longstanding rumors. She had realized her attraction to women by age 18 and informed close associates, including producers before launching her , but delayed public disclosure due to career considerations, such as potential advertiser backlash on a syndicated program. Her established success—multiple Daytime Emmy wins and high ratings—mitigated some professional risks, as the disclosure occurred shortly before her show's conclusion in May 2002. The reception was relatively subdued compared to earlier high-profile disclosures, with O'Donnell herself noting it registered as "a blip" in public discourse. LGBTQ+ media praised her for enhancing visibility, naming her The Advocate's 2002 , while some conservative outlets and commentators questioned the appropriateness of an openly host for child-oriented programming, citing potential conflicts with traditional . Mainstream coverage focused more on her for gay adoption than immediate scandal, reflecting a post-1990s shift toward greater tolerance, though syndication partners monitored for advertiser fallout.

Marriages, Children, and Family Dynamics

O'Donnell adopted her first child, son Parker Jaren O'Donnell, in May 1995 as a single parent. She subsequently entered a committed relationship with Kelli Carpenter around 2000, adopting three more children together: daughter Chelsea Belle in 1997, son Blake Christopher in December 1999, and daughter Vivienne Rose in 2002. O'Donnell and Carpenter married on August 26, 2004, in San Francisco shortly after same-sex marriage became briefly available there, but separated in late 2007 with their divorce finalized in 2009. In 2012, O'Donnell married Michelle Rounds after a brief courtship, and the couple adopted daughter Dakota in November of that year. Their marriage ended in separation by 2014, with a contentious divorce and custody battle over Dakota resolved in October 2015 granting joint custody; O'Donnell later obtained sole custody following Rounds's death by suicide in 2017. Since 2017, O'Donnell has been in a relationship with Elizabeth Rooney, to whom she became engaged that year. All five adoptions occurred through private channels facilitated by O'Donnell's advocacy for gay adoption rights, though she established the Rosie's For All Kids Foundation in 1997 to support foster care and adoption efforts generally. Family dynamics have involved public displays of closeness alongside documented private tensions. O'Donnell has frequently shared positive family moments on and in interviews, emphasizing the joys of adopted children despite early societal barriers for same-sex couples. However, strains emerged, including a prolonged custody dispute with Rounds marked by allegations of substance use and fitness, resolved via court stipulation without public disclosure of testing outcomes. More recently, eldest daughter Chelsea has faced repeated legal issues related to possession and , including arrests in 2024, leading to estrangement; in April 2025, Chelsea legally changed her to her birth mother's maiden name, Belle, prompting O'Donnell to express mixed emotions publicly while acknowledging ongoing family challenges with . In contrast, son Blake married O'Donnell in August 2024 and announced in September 2025 that she is pregnant with their first child, due in spring 2026, which O'Donnell described as a source of great joy amid familial ups and downs. Younger children Vivienne and Dakota have maintained lower public profiles, with O'Donnell noting the inherent complexities of adoptive , including behavioral and identity-related adjustments, without attributing to specific external factors beyond general challenges.

Health Struggles and Recovery

O'Donnell's mother, Roseann Teresa Murtha O'Donnell, died of on March 17, 1973, at age 39, leaving a lasting impact on the family dynamics and O'Donnell's early emotional development. The loss occurred when O'Donnell was 10 years old, and the family's subsequent avoidance of open discussion about the illness contributed to her internalized , which she later connected to patterns of suppressed emotions in her own challenges. O'Donnell has described lifelong struggles with depression, which intensified following the 1999 shootings, prompting her to begin antidepressant medication and around that time. She publicly disclosed in a 2000 that the condition had haunted her for years, but treatment—including medications—enabled her to manage symptoms effectively by age 37, allowing her to resume professional commitments without the prior debilitating episodes of uncontrollable crying on . Subsequent stressors, such as political events including Trump's 2016 election victory, reportedly triggered relapses involving increased alcohol consumption and depressive episodes, which she attributed to external pressures rather than inherent biochemical imbalances alone; however, resuming and pharmacological interventions again proved efficacious in stabilization. In August 2012, at age 50, O'Donnell experienced a severe heart attack characterized by atypical female symptoms including and abdominal discomfort rather than classic , leading to intervention that she credits with her . Post-event, she emphasized the importance of recognizing gender-specific cardiac and underwent adjustments alongside medical follow-up, which mitigated further incidents despite her history of familial cancer risks and personal stress factors from high-profile career demands. O'Donnell has faced ongoing weight fluctuations linked to yo-yo dieting patterns over decades, often critiqued in media for inconsistency despite various regimens. Starting in late 2022, she began using Mounjaro (tirzepatide) primarily for management, resulting in substantial weight reduction—including a reported drop to size 12 by mid-2025—demonstrating the drug's efficacy in appetite suppression and metabolic improvement beyond traditional dieting approaches. This , combined with dietary awareness heightened by her cardiac history, has yielded sustained progress, contrasting earlier cycles of regain tied to amid professional and political stressors.

Relocation to Ireland and Citizenship Pursuit

Following Donald Trump's reelection in November 2024, Rosie O'Donnell relocated to in January 2025 with her youngest child, citing concerns over the incoming administration's policies, particularly , a policy blueprint from outlining conservative reforms that she described as alarming after reviewing its contents. She expressed in a March 2025 TikTok video that the move was prompted by fears for her safety and well-being in the United States under Trump's second term, stating she had "no regrets" about the decision despite the upheaval. In October 2025, O'Donnell announced her application for Irish , eligibility stemming from her Irish grandparents, and anticipated approval soon thereafter, noting it would provide security amid ongoing public exchanges with Trump. This followed Trump's July 2025 Truth Social post threatening to revoke her U.S. , labeling her a "Threat to Humanity" unfit for the country and suggesting she remain . No such revocation occurred, though rumors of cancellation circulated and were debunked by fact-checkers. The constrained O'Donnell's U.S. travel; in September 2025, she skipped her middle daughter's college graduation after security advisors warned against returning due to risks tied to her high-profile feud with Trump, which they feared could be exploited for political agitation. The responded to her bid with sarcasm, calling it "great news for America," while O'Donnell reflected on the experience as a form of self-imposed driven by perceived threats, though she maintained her U.S. ties through limited visits and public commentary.

Awards and Legacy

Notable Recognitions

O'Donnell received six for Outstanding Talk Show Host for The , awarded consecutively from 1997 to 2002, with the 1998 honor shared with and the 2001 shared with . The series itself garnered additional across categories such as Outstanding (five wins from 1998 to 2002), art direction, and writing, reflecting its strong viewership and production quality in the competitive market, where success often hinged on broad appeal and consistent ratings. These accolades underscored O'Donnell's ability to draw audiences during the show's run, though they aligned more with popularity metrics than critical acclaim in scripted formats. In theater-related honors, O'Donnell was awarded the at the 2014 for her dedication to arts education through the nonprofit Rosie's Theater Kids, which provides programs to underserved youth. This special Tony recognition highlighted her off-stage contributions rather than on-stage or producing achievements, coming amid periods of reduced mainstream visibility following earlier career peaks. O'Donnell also earned the Award from in 2003, recognizing her efforts in advancing public understanding of LGBTQ issues through media appearances and personal advocacy. Additional nods included for funniest female performer in television specials (wins in 1997 and 1999), tied to her stand-up and variety work, which capitalized on her comedic timing in live and taped formats. These awards, while affirming her influence in entertainment niches, were interspersed with lulls in high-profile projects, such as after the end of her original talk show in 2002.

Critical Reception and Cultural Impact

O'Donnell's tenure on The Rosie O'Donnell Show from 1996 to 2002 garnered acclaim for pioneering a hybrid format that combined , celebrity interviews, musical performances, and audience interaction, setting a template for modern daytime talk shows that emphasized entertainment over . The program consistently ranked fourth among daytime shows in the of women aged 18–49, reflecting strong empirical appeal during an era when largely adhered to lighter, apolitical content. Its cultural impact included elevating LGBTQ visibility in , as the show's overt queer-coded aesthetics—such as frequent same-sex affection among guests and inclusive booking—drew dedicated queer viewership and normalized non-heteronormative elements in a conservative broadcast . Subsequent projects highlighted O'Donnell's polarizing reception, with detractors citing her confrontational on-air persona and overt political commentary as factors contributing to audience fragmentation. Ventures like the 2011–2012 OWN series The Rosie Show underperformed, premiering to 497,000 viewers and averaging far below industry benchmarks for viability, signaling a sharp decline from her syndicated peak. Her 2006–2007 stint on The View initially boosted premiere ratings to 3.9 million but correlated with subsequent dips attributed to internal tensions and edgier discourse, underscoring how her style shifted daytime TV toward more contentious debates at the cost of broader appeal. Critiques from conservative observers have framed O'Donnell's legacy as emblematic of Hollywood's insularity, pointing to her inflammatory remarks—such as equating Republican policies with —as emblematic of a broader industry tendency to prioritize ideological signaling over empirical , alienating non-left-leaning audiences. This volatility manifested in professional setbacks, including the rapid collapse of Rosie magazine in 2002 amid allegations of managerial instability, which eroded her once-dominant position in . By 2025, O'Donnell's cultural footprint persists primarily through enduring feuds rather than sustained media dominance, with recent stage work receiving mixed notices for emotional depth but limited comedic punch, reflecting a niche rather than mass relevance.

Comprehensive Works

Film and Television Roles

O'Donnell's film acting debut came with supporting roles in the early , following her stand-up background. In 1992, she gained prominence as Doris Murphy in , a comedy-drama depicting the during , co-starring and ; the film earned $107.5 million domestically, becoming the highest-grossing baseball movie at the time. She followed with the role of Becky, the wisecracking colleague and friend to Meg Ryan's character, in the 1993 romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle, directed by Nora Ephron, where her performance drew from influences like Bette Midler for the character's bold humor. Additional 1990s credits included Pam in Another Stakeout (1993), Betty Rubble in The Flintstones (1994), Dr. Roberta Martin in Now and Then (1995), Gina in Beautiful Girls (1996), Ole Golly in the family film Harriet the Spy (1996), Sister Terry in the independent drama Wide Awake (1998), and the voice of Terk in Disney's animated Tarzan (1999). Post-2000 film appearances were sporadic, featuring supporting parts in mainstream releases like The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) and cameo roles in comedies such as Pitch Perfect 2 (2015). Her television acting included early guest spots, such as on Gimme a Break! (1981), and later recurring characters like Dawn Budge on Nip/Tuck (2006–2008), a plastic surgery drama, along with appearances in The Fosters (2013–2016), Mom (2016), and a lead role as Bridgette in the Showtime series SMILF (2017–2019), a comedy about single motherhood.

Written Works and Publications

O'Donnell authored her first major publication, the Find Me, released on April 16, 2002, by Warner Books, which chronicles her obsessive friendship with a troubled young fan named , blending personal reflection on with elements of mystery surrounding the woman's disappearance. The book, which debuted as a New York Times bestseller, details O'Donnell's emotional investment in attempting to "save" Sheila, revealing her own vulnerabilities including depression and , though critics noted its raw candor sometimes veered into self-indulgence. In 2007, she published Celebrity Detox (The Fame Game) through Grand Central Publishing, a follow-up memoir examining her retreat from public life after ending The Rosie O'Donnell Show in 2002 and her subsequent return via The View in 2006, framing fame as an addictive cycle akin to substance dependency. The work critiques the hollow rewards of celebrity while acknowledging its pull, with O'Donnell admitting to personal struggles like panic attacks and family strains; reception highlighted the irony of a high-profile figure decrying fame's toxicity, yet sales reflected sustained interest in her introspective style. O'Donnell also produced a series of children's books centered on humor, starting with Kids Are Punny: Jokes Sent by Kids to the in 1997, compiling viewer-submitted puns and one-liners from her daytime program to promote lighthearted family entertainment. A , Kids Are Punny 2: More Jokes Sent by Kids to the , followed, extending the format with additional kid-generated content aimed at young readers, though these volumes received modest attention compared to her adult memoirs, praised for accessibility but limited in literary depth. Beyond books, O'Donnell contributed articles to magazines such as Rosie (launched in 2001 under her editorial oversight) and outlets like Scholastic Parent & Child, often focusing on parenting, celebrity culture, and social issues, though these pieces emphasized personal anecdotes over formal journalism. Her written output consistently themes self-examination and relational dynamics, with reception varying from acclaim for vulnerability in memoirs to critique of perceived narcissism in fame-related analyses.

Other Media Contributions

O'Donnell hosted Rosie Radio on Sirius XM from October 26, 2009, to 2011, broadcasting weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET on SIRIUS XM Stars (channel 102). The program featured her commentary alongside celebrity guests and listener interactions, but concluded after approximately two years without renewal. In October 2023, she launched the Onward with Rosie O'Donnell via iHeartPodcasts, a weekly series in which she shares perspectives on fame, , and current events, interviewing friends, celebrities, newsmakers, artists, and personalities. The , which maintains a 4.9 rating across platforms, represents a niche extension of her talk format, focusing on personal reflections from her vantage at age 61. O'Donnell has engaged in web-based content through platforms like Substack, where her "Roro Subs" newsletter includes essays such as an August 5, 2025, post critiquing political figures. She also produces short-form videos on TikTok, including September 2025 content addressing the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, such as demands to release associated files and assertions that Epstein survivors would serve as a "reckoning" for Donald Trump amid their ongoing public feud. These digital outputs, often laced with pointed rants on politics and celebrity, have amplified controversies rather than establishing standalone media ventures, functioning as supplements to her established career.

References

  1. https://www.biography.com/actors/a45989448/rosie-odonnell
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  213. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/rosie-odonnell-own-ratings-246768/
  214. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-rosie-odonnell-boosts-the-view-to-top-premiere-ratings-since-2006-20140916-story.html
  215. https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/inside-rosie-odonnells-dramatic-exit-from-the-view-exclusive-1201427993/
  216. https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/culture-digest-rosie-takes-on-conservative-hasselbeck-on-the-view-mich/
  217. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rosie-publisher-duke-it-out/
  218. https://www.instagram.com/p/DMpmT7qukvr/
  219. https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/a-league-of-their-own-based-on-true-story
  220. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0104694/
  221. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/06/28/sleepless-seattle-25th-anniversary-why-hurts-rosie-odonnell-watch/740331002/
  222. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/rosie-odonnell-aging-hollywood-bette-midler-sleepless-in-seattle-1235004669/
  223. https://www.fandango.com/people/rosie-odonnell-497385/film-credits
  224. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/rosie_odonnell
  225. https://www.amazon.com/Find-Me-Rosie-ODonnell/dp/0446530077
  226. https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/rosie-odonnell/find-me/9780446548847/
  227. https://books.google.com/books/about/Find_Me.html?id=3GaI3_KZKaQC
  228. https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/998/find-me
  229. https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/rosie-odonnell/celebrity-detox/9780446199933/
  230. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7037477
  231. https://us.amazon.com/Books-Rosie-ODonnell/s?rh=n%253A283155%252Cp_27%253ARosie%252BO%252527Donnell
  232. https://www.thriftbooks.com/series/kids-are-punny/121922/
  233. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/986384.Kids_are_Punny
  234. https://www.booknotification.com/authors/rosie-odonnell/
  235. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18512.Rosie_O_Donnell
  236. https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/legendary-entertainer-rosie-odonnell-and-iheartpodcasts-launch-new-series-onward-rosie
  237. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onward-with-rosie-odonnell/id1677010022
  238. https://rosieodonnell.substack.com/p/me-n-him
  239. https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5485966-rosie-odonnell-trump-epstein-survivors/
  240. https://pagesix.com/2025/07/16/celebrity-news/rosie-odonnell-hits-back-at-trumps-citizenship-threat-in-heated-rant/
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