The only person in the world who could possibly say they've enjoyed more success than Ellen DeGeneres is Oprah. Not even Jerry Springer could hold a candle to the success DeGeneres has had either in profile or longevity. And being a talk show host wasn't even her first choice as a career!
DeGeneres first became famous as a comedian and comic actor. As long ago as 1982 she was named the Funniest Person in America by Showtime. That success led into her long running self-titled sitcom 'Ellen', which concluded with her character outing herself as gay. DeGeneres herself then confirmed she was homosexual shortly afterwards in a conversation with Oprah and has been heralded as an icon of the LGBT community ever since. Her bravery in coming out at a time where it was less socially acceptable to do so than today empowered a generation of young gay people, and it may be their support which has contributed to her wealth.
Chefs made their way into celebrity land a while ago. But how many celebrities that weren’t trained as professional cooks are actually whizzes in the kitchen? Here are several that come to mind.
Actress Julia Roberts is confident about her cooking skills. “I’m quite a good cook,” she told E! News. “I’m like a closet home ec teacher…I can really cook anything.” Roberts has said she often cooks fish for herself and her kids. And speaking of her three children, “They think that I’m a good cook,” Roberts told People. “They actually told me that I should open a restaurant.” She also relishes cooking for the holidays, particularly shredded Brussel sprouts. Roberts hasn’t published a cookbook, but we did find recipes attributed to her for peach crisp and banana hemp muffins. Or you can make the same summer salad the actress supposedly eats.
Chrissy Teigen started off as a supermodel. Then her love of cooking filtered into her professional life too. At this point, she’s created recipes for a limited Blue Apron release and also just launched her own home and cooking line at Target named “Cravings,” after the two cookbooks she’s released. Teigen describes cooking as “a time of peace” for herself. So maybe peace out to her tuna melt sandwich or the fried chicken wings that are a favorite of her husband, John Legend.
Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, comes from a cooking Italian family. Her father started his own restaurant in New York and also published a cookbook. And apparently, Lady Gaga has inherited the family’s cooking genes. Her Instagram account occasionally features photos of her culinary activities. Sure, sometimes it’s topless cooking. But other times it’s more poignant like in the post she shared about her bringing food to the family of her dear friend who passed away. Want to try a Gaga/Germanotta family favorite? Check out her recipe for whole wheat pasta with a sweet fennel sauce.