Ellen DeGeneres took on a lot of odd jobs when she was in her 20s living in New Orleans. She painted houses, worked as a bartender and even sold vacuum cleaners to pay the bills. But regardless of what the future comedian was doing to make money, there was always one consistent element she brought into everything she did: humor.
No matter what job Ellen had at the moment, her friends already saw her as a fun comedian. So, when Ellen and her friends attended a casual fundraiser together one day, they encouraged her to get on the stage and "do something funny." As Ellen tells "Oprah's Master Class," she had barely started writing but figured she might as well take the opportunity to flex her comedic muscle.
However, instead of stepping on stage armed with jokes, Ellen was armed with food.
"I had brought a Whopper and fries and a shake. And I went on stage, and I said, 'This is my first time being on stage and I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. I didn't know what I was going to say, and I realized I hadn't eaten all day, so I hope you don't mind -- I stopped and grabbed something to eat on the way,'" Ellen says.
It was an unorthodox opening, but the crowd stayed with her and Ellen pressed on.
"Then I would say, 'But what I wanted to talk about was...' and then I would take a bite. While I was chewing, I'd put a finger up and then just go, 'Oh, that is good. That's better.' And then I would start the sentence again," Ellen says. "I ate the entire meal and didn't finish the sentence."
She then told the crowd her time was up and hopped off stage. The audience was thoroughly amused.
"People enjoyed me eating on stage and not talking," Ellen jokes.
Someone in the audience then invited the young comedian to perform at a local university coffee house. Ellen agreed, but knew she had to come up with a new bit that didn't include a burger and fries.
"I couldn't eat every time," she says. "So, then I played a song on piano that I said I wrote when I was in the hospital. And it was just me screaming and hitting some chords."
Ellen even opted for a few puns during her first few acts.
"I would say things like, 'I just want to try out some new material,' and I'd hold up a piece of fabric," she says.
As she got comfortable on stage and further developed her writing, Ellen's career began to take off. Those early performances, however, are ones she looks back on with humble appreciation for what they were at the time.
"That's what I did for the first few times on stage," Ellen says, with a shrug. "I just did stupid things."
"Oprah's Master Class" airs on OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Ellen DeGeneres Through the Years
Porcelain Doll(01 of22)
Open Image ModalBaby Ellen was such a doll -- just look at those curls! (credit:Ellen DeGeneres)
A Star In The Making(02 of22)
Open Image ModalScheming up ideas for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" from an early age. (credit:Ellen DeGeneres)
Don't Worry, I've Got This(03 of22)
Open Image ModalConfident, spunky and fun -- we love that Ellen's not afraid to show off her true personality. (credit:WireImage)
PJ Twins(04 of22)
Open Image ModalWho wouldn't love to have a slumber party with Ryan Gosling and Ellen? (credit:Ellen DeGeneres)
Fifteen-Love(05 of22)
Open Image ModalIs Ellen training to be the next U.S. Open champion? (credit:Getty)
Don't Test Her Swag(06 of22)
Open Image ModalComedian, talk show host and model? Ellen rocked it at the Richie Rich Spring 2011 fashion show. (credit:Getty)
Trick Or Treat?(07 of22)
Open Image ModalSnooki's poof ain't got nothing on Ellen's 2010 Halloween costume. We love her creative ideas! (credit:Ellen DeGeneres)
Love Birds(08 of22)
Open Image ModalWe love how happy and in love Portia and Ellen always look. Not to mention how well they coordinate their outfits. (credit:Getty)
Oscar Baby(09 of22)
Open Image ModalPregnant? No -- that's just Ellen's Oscar baby at the 2007 Academy Awards. (credit:Getty)
Olé!(10 of22)
Open Image ModalEven in a sombrero, Ellen looks good! (credit:Ellen DeGeneres)
Keepin' It Simple(11 of22)
Open Image ModalHer vegan diet and campaign to stop animal cruelty led her to be named PETA's 2009 Woman of the Year. Work it, girl! (credit:Getty)
Multitasking Genius(12 of22)
Open Image ModalSit-ups while holding the Olympic torch? What a woman! (credit:Getty)
It's A Man, It's A Plane...(13 of22)
Open Image Modal... No, it's just Ellen dressed as Spider-Man while presenting at the 2004 MTV Movie Awards. (credit:Getty)
Peace For All(14 of22)
Open Image ModalWhat better way to show off a cause that you support than on your tee? (credit:Getty)
Studious Duds(15 of22)
Open Image ModalEllen shows everyone that reading can be ― and is ― cool. You tell 'em, girl! (credit:Getty)
Happily Ever After(16 of22)
Open Image ModalWe couldn't think of a more perfect couple! (credit:Ellen DeGeneres)
Domestic Miss(17 of22)
Open Image ModalWho needs a janitor when Ellen DeGeneres is at the Grammy Awards? (credit:Getty)
Swan Lake(18 of22)
Open Image ModalBjork, is that you? No, it's Ellen at the 53rd Annual Emmy Awards. (credit:Getty)
Musical Future?(19 of22)
Open Image ModalIf her talk show doesn't work out, we're sure Ellen can land a gig in a folk band. We love that she's rocking a vest! (credit:Ellen DeGeneres)
Fore!(20 of22)
Open Image ModalWe want to play a round of golf with these two! Where do we sign up? (credit:Getty)
Preparing For The Runway?(21 of22)
Open Image ModalEllen in platform heels? We never thought we'd see the day! (credit:Ellen DeGeneres)
Favourite Daytime TV Host(22 of22)
Open Image ModalWe're not surprised she took home honors at the 2012 People's Choice Awards. Ellen, don't ever change! (credit:Getty)