Rosie O'Donnell (Actor)

"Everybody had a sister or best friend like me, and that same non-threatening feeling goes into the show because a lot of women are competitive and our show is more of a celebration. It's not really a choice I make; it's how I live my life, the things I do when I mess up. Like the time I cut my daughter's finger when I was trimming her nails, it was the worst moment of my life, and I almost didn't talk about it on the air because I felt such shame. But when I did, the letters and calls we got! Thousands saying, 'I did the same thing.' That's the humanity people respond to, the normalcy, and it's harder when you become rich and famous, especially hard if you do comedy." - O'Donnell quoted in The Chicago Tribune, June 6, 1998

"I'm getting closer to the age when my mother died. I used to think it was my destiny to follow in her footsteps, that there was some time bomb ticking inside of me. But the introduction of children in my life has given me a will and a knowledge that I'll be around for them." - O'Donnell quoted in Biography Magazine, August 1998

In 2003, Rosie O'Donnell donated $25,000 to fund the Fab Five Room, a classroom named after the cast of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" at Harvey Milk High School, which serves gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students in New York City.

In January 2002, O'Donnell appeared on the sitcom "Will & Grace" (NBC) as a lesbian mom. 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!" The announcement came two months before the end of the hosting of her talk show.

In May 1999, a month after the Columbine shootings, O'Donnell interviewed actor Tom Selleck. O'Donnell confronted him about his recent commercial for the National Rifle Association (NRA) and challenged him about the NRA's position on the use of assault rifles. According to Selleck, the two had agreed not to discuss the topic prior to his appearance on the show. O'Donnell maintains that Selleck and his publicist had been informed that the topic would be discussed.

In October 2002, Rosie magazine publisher, Gruner + Jahr, filed a lawsuit for an estimated $300 million against ROSIE O'DONNELL for quitting the Rosie magazine. O'Donnell counter sued for breach of contract. The judge ultimately ruled against both sides and dismissed the case.