Actress and comedian Rosie O´Donell celebrates 64
Her big break came in 1984 when she appeared on the television talent show “Star Search,” gaining national recognition and led to various television and film roles, including appearances on the sitcom “Gimme a Break!” and parts in movies such as “A League of Their Own,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” and “The Flintstones”
Actress and comedian Rosie O´Donell celebrates 64
Roseann “Rosie” O’Donnell was born on March 21, 1962, in Commack, Long Island, New York. She is the third of five children born to Roseann Teresa (Murtha), a homemaker, and Edward Joseph O’Donnell, an electrical engineer. Tragically, her mother passed away from breast cancer when Rosie was ten years old, a loss that profoundly impacted her upbringing.
O’Donnell’s passion for comedy and performance emerged during her high school years, where she was known for her impersonations of comedian Gilda Radner. After graduating in 1980, she briefly attended Dickinson College and later Boston University before leaving to pursue a career in stand-up comedy.
Her big break came in 1984 when she appeared on the television talent show “Star Search,” gaining national recognition. This exposure led to various television and film roles, including appearances on the sitcom “Gimme a Break!” and parts in movies such as “A League of Their Own” (1992), “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993), and “The Flintstones” (1994).
In 1996, O’Donnell began hosting “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” a daytime talk show that ran until 2002. The show was celebrated for its lighthearted and engaging content, earning multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and solidifying her status as “The Queen of Nice.”
Beyond her entertainment career, O’Donnell is a dedicated philanthropist and advocate. She has been a prominent supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and adoption issues, having adopted several children herself. In 2002, she publicly came out as a lesbian, further amplifying her advocacy for LGBTQ+ families.
O’Donnell has also been involved in various television projects, including co-hosting “The View” and acting in series such as “Nip/Tuck” and “The Fosters.” Her Broadway credits include roles in “Grease,” “Seussical,” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”
In March 2025, O’Donnell revealed that she had relocated to Ireland, citing a desire for a change in environment and political climate. Throughout her multifaceted career, Rosie O’Donnell has remained a significant figure in the entertainment industry and a passionate advocate for numerous social causes.
Watch Rosie O’Donnell at the Late Night with Seth Meyers
Images and photographs can be from different ranges of sources such as Pinterest, Tumblr etc. except when/where noted. If you are the copyright holder and would like them removed or credited, please get in touch.
