Roseann Teresa O'Donnell (born March 21, 1962 in Bayside, Queens, New York) is an Emmy-award winning American talk show host, television personality, comedian, film, television, and stage actress.
She's 45!
After beginning as a stand-up comic, O'Donnell gained notice for hosting her own daytime talk show The Rosie O'Donnell Show, from 1996 to 2002. Currently, she is co-host and moderator of the ABC talk show, The View.
Four days before her 11th birthday, on March 17, 1973, her mother died of breast cancer.
In high school, she began exploring her comic interests beginning with a high school skit in which she imitated Gilda Radner’s character Roseanne Rosannadanna.
After graduating, O'Donnell briefly attended Dickinson College, later transferring to Boston University but dropped out to pursue comedy. Rosie toured standup clubs from 1979 to 1984. Her heavy-set appearance and tomboyish, husky Long Island accent stood her apart from other actresses and comediennes. She got her first big break on Star Search, explaining on Larry King Live:
“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.”After this success, she moved on to television sitcom comedy, making her series debut as Nell Carter's neighbor on Gimme a Break! in 1986.
In 1988, she transitioned to VH1, where she hosted Stand-up Spotlight, a showcase for up-and-coming comedians. She soon after made her feature film debut in A League Of Their Own.
Personal Life:On February 26, 2004, O'Donnell entered legal union with her partner Kelli Carpenter, a former Nickelodeon marketing executive, in San Francisco, some two weeks after mayor Gavin Newsom authorized the granting of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Her decision to marry Carpenter came after O'Donnell blasted President Bush over his support for the Federal Marriage Amendment. The license was later voided by the California Supreme Court.
The couple are parents to adopted children Parker Jaren (born May 25, 1995), Chelsea Belle (born September 20, 1997), and Blake Christopher (born December 5, 1999). Their fourth child, Vivienne Rose (who was conceived through sperm donation) was born November 29, 2002 to Carpenter.
Other March 21st Birthdays:
Al Freeman Jr. - Actor -73
Timothy Dalton-Actor -61
Eddie Money-Singer -58
Sabrina LeBeauf-Actress/The Cosby Show -49
Gary Oldman-Actor -49
Matthew Broderick-Actor -45
Allie Is Wired
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