Roseann "Rosie" O'Donnell (born March 21, 1962) is an American stand-up comedienne, actress, singer, author and media personality. She has also been a magazine editor and continues to be a celebrity blogger, LGBT rights activist, television producer and collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company R Family Vacations.
Raised Roman Catholic, O'Donnell lost her mother to cancer as a pre-teen and has stressed the importance of protecting children and supporting families throughout her career. O'Donnell started her comedy career while still a teenager and her big break was on the talent show Star Search when she was twenty years old. A TV sitcom and a series of movies introduced her to a larger national audience and in 1996 she started hosting The Rosie O'Donnell Show which won multiple Emmy awards.
During her years on The Rosie O'Donnell Show she wrote her first book, a memoir called Find Me and developed the nickname "Queen Of Nice" as well as a reputation for philanthropic efforts. She used the book's $3 million advance to establish her own For All Kids foundation and promoted other charity projects encouraging other celebrities on her show to also take part. O'Donnell came out stating "I'm a dyke!" two months before finishing her talk show run, saying that her primary reason was to bring attention to gay adoption issues. O'Donnell is a foster—and adoptive—mother. She has since continued to support many LGBT causes and issues.
In 2006 O'Donnell became the new moderator on The View boosting ratings and attracting controversies with her liberal views, and strong personality, dominating many of the conversations. She became a polarizing figure to many and her strong opinions resulted in several notable controversies including an on-air dispute regarding the Bush administration's policies with the war in Iraq resulting in a mutual agreement to cancel her contract. In 2007 O'Donnell also released her second memoir, Celebrity Detox, which focuses on her struggles with fame and her time at The View. She continues to do charity work and remains involved with LGBT and family-related issues. She is best known for her inaccurate prediction that Donald Trump will never be the President of the United States. In 2008 O'Donnell starred in and executive produced America (2009 film), a Lifetime channel original movie 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.
In October 2009, she appeared in the original cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore. 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 The Howard Stern Show. O'Donnell has signed on with the Oprah Winfrey Network OWN to return to daytime TV with a talk show in Fall 2011.
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She Raised Me
Marilyn Muff
2025
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2025
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
Self
2024
The Matthew Shepard Story: An American Hate Crime
Self
2023
Rosie's Theater Kids
Herself
2023
Being Mary Tyler Moore
Self (voice)
2023
Meat Loaf - A Celebration Of Life
Self
2023
Bonnie
Self
2022
Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration
2022
Love, Loss, and What I Wore
2020
Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone
Self
2020
Broadway: The Next Generation
Self
2017
The Words That Built America
Self - Reader: Declaration of Independence
2017
Hairspray Live!
Gym Teacher
2016
Everything Is Copy
Self
2015
Pitch Perfect 2
The View Host
2015
Roseanne for President!
Self
2015
Rosie O'Donnell: A Heartfelt Stand Up
Self
2015
The (Dead Mothers) Club
Self
2014
Me @ the Zoo
Self (archive footage)
2012
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
Self
2011
The Undefeated
Self (voice)
2011
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up
Self
2011
One Night Only - Barbra Streisand and Quartet at the Village Vanguard
Áudience
2010
A Family Is a Family Is a Family: A Rosie O'Donnell Celebration
Herself
2010
Teenage Paparazzo
Self
2010
America
Dr. Maureen Brennan
2009
ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway
Self
2007
The Madness of Boy George
Self (archive footage)
2006
All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise
Herself
2006
I'm Going to Tell You a Secret
Self
2005
Riding the Bus with My Sister
Beth Simon
2005
The Lady in Question Is Charles Busch
Self
2005
Pursuit of Equality
Self
2005
The Tony Danza Show
Self - Guest · (2 episodes)
2004
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
(1 episode)
2003
The Very Best of America's Funniest Comedians
Self (archive footage)
2003
Listen to Her Heart: The Life and Music of Laurie Beechman
Narrator
2003
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
Self
2003
Artists and Orphans: A True Drama
Narrator
2002
Last Party 2000
Self
2001
Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life
Self
1997
The Grievance
Louise
American Gigolo
Det. Joan Sunday · (8 episodes)
2022
A League of Their Own
Vi · (1 episode)
2022
And Just Like That…
Mary · (1 episode)
2021
Hacks
Rosie O'Donnell · (1 episode)
2021
I Know This Much Is True
Lisa Sheffer · (6 episodes)
2020
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Self - Contestant · (1 episode)
2020
Stars in the House
Self - Special Guest · (1 episode)
2020
Tamron Hall
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2019
The Kelly Clarkson Show
(1 episode)
2019
Russian Doll
Subway announcer (voice) · (6 episodes)
2019
25 Words or Less
(6 episodes)
2018
SMILF
Tutu · (18 episodes)
2017
Time: The Kalief Browder Story
Self · (2 episodes)
2017
When We Rise
Del Martin · (4 episodes)
2017
The $100,000 Pyramid
Self · (4 episodes)
2016
Match Game
Self - Panelist · (4 episodes)
2016
Difficult People
Vanessa · (1 episode)
2015
Celebrity Family Feud
Self · (1 episode)
2015
The Late Late Show with James Corden
Self - Guest · (2 episodes)
2015
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (2 episodes)
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Mom
Jeanine · (2 episodes)
2013
Hollywood Game Night
Self · (1 episode)
2013
The Fosters
Rita Hendricks · (16 episodes)
2013
Smash
Rosie O'Donnell · (2 episodes)
2012
Impractical Jokers
Q-Two · (1 episode)
2011
The Rosie Show
Self - Host · (48 episodes)
2011
Web Therapy
Maxine DeMaine · (3 episodes)
2011
The Fran Drescher Show
(1 episode)
2010
Who Do You Think You Are?
Self · (1 episode)
2010
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · (5 episodes)
2009
Drop Dead Diva
Judge Madeline Summers · (4 episodes)
2009
Ruby
Self · (1 episode)
2008
Little Britain USA
Herself · (1 episode)
2008
Web Therapy
Maxine DeMaine · (4 episodes)
2008
Million Dollar Password
(1 episode)
2008
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Self · (1 episode)
2007
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Self · (1 episode)
2007
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
Self · (2 episodes)
2005
American Dad!
(voice) · (1 episode)
2005
American Dad!
Townie (voice) · (1 episode)
2005
Nip/Tuck
Dawn Budge · (4 episodes)
2003
Celebrities Uncensored
Self · (1 episode)
2003
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Self (uncredited)
2001
Primetime Glick
(1 episode)
2001
The Gun Deadlock
Self
2001
Laughing Out Loud: America's Funniest Comedians
Self (archive footage)
2001
Queer As Folk
Loretta Pye · (3 episodes)
2000
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Rosie O'Donnell · (3 episodes)
2000
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas
Octopus Masseuse (voice)
2000
A Rosie Christmas
Host
1999
Time of Your Life
(1 episode)
1999
Third Watch
Paramedic · (1 episode)
1999
Judging Amy
Judge Nancy Paul · (1 episode)
1999
Teen Choice Awards
Self - Nominee · (1 episode)
1999
Tarzan
Terk (voice)
1999
Jackie's Back!
Rosie O'Donnell
1999
Kids Are Punny
Baby Rosie (voice)
1998
Celine: These Are Special Times
Self
1998
Will & Grace
Bonnie · (1 episode)
1998
Hollywood Squares
Self - Panelist · (10 episodes)
1998
Hollywood Squares
(5 episodes)
1998
Wide Awake
Sister Terry
1998
Sesame Street: Elmopalooza!
Self
1998
Say It, Fight It, Cure It
Self
1997
Ally McBeal
Dr. Hooper · (1 episode)
1997
The View
Self · (6 episodes)
1997
The View
Self - Co-Host · (244 episodes)
1997
Austin Powers' Electric Psychedelic Pussycat Swingers Club
The Swingers Club
1997
The Practice
Wedding Consultant · (1 episode)
1997
Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary Party
Self
1997
The Twilight of the Golds
Jackie
1996
Suddenly Susan
Rosie O'Donnell · (1 episode)
1996
Spin City
Rosie O'Donnell · (2 episodes)
1996
Blue's Clues
(1 episode)
1996
A Very Brady Sequel
Rosie O'Donnell (uncredited)
1996
E! True Hollywood Story
(1 episode)
1996
Harriet the Spy
Ole Golly
1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Self - Host · (142 episodes)
1996
The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful
Self
1996
Beautiful Girls
Gina Barrisano
1996
Now and Then
Roberta
1995
Bless This House
(1 episode)
1995
Rosie O'Donnell
Self
1995
Exit to Eden
Sheila Kingston
1994
Inside the Actors Studio
Self · (1 episode)
1994
The Flintstones
Betty Rubble
1994
Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
Good Hope Fairy
1994
I'll Do Anything
Makeup
1994
Car 54, Where Are You?
Lucille Toody
1994
Intimate Portrait
Self · (2 episodes)
1993
The Nanny
Cozette · (1 episode)
1993
Fatal Instinct
Woman in Bird Store
1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1993
Another Stakeout
A.D.A. Gina Garrett
1993
Sleepless in Seattle
Becky
1993
A League of Their Own
Doris Murphy (3B)
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
(4 episodes)
1992
Stand By Your Man
Lorraine Popowski · (7 episodes)
1992
The Ren & Stimpy Show
(1 episode)
1991
Beverly Hills, 90210
(1 episode)
1990
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self - Guest · (6 episodes)
1988
Kids' Choice Awards
Herself - Co-Host · (1 episode)
1987
Kids' Choice Awards
Self - Host · (7 episodes)
1987
Gimme a Break!
Maggie O'Brien · (25 episodes)
1981
Entertainment Tonight
Self · (1 episode)
1981
CNN Special Report
Self · (1 episode)
1980
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host · (2 episodes)
1975
The Grammys
Self - Host · (2 episodes)
1959
Tony Awards
Self - Host · (3 episodes)
1956
The Oscars
Self · (2 episodes)
1953
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Beth · (1 episode)
1951