Stand-up comic Rosie O'Donnell has transformed the definition of "talk show" since her syndicated debut in 1996. Rather than falling into the trap of sensationalized fisticuffs and searing emotionalism á la Jerry Springer and Jenny Jones, O'Donnell has created a show that feels as comfortable as one's own living room. Her star-struck reaction to her guests seems to mirror that of her viewers, and her ease with guests and audiences alike creates an atmosphere of having a few friends over to visit. O'Donnell often confesses that she does not sing well. Yet, she sings often and loud, and the viewers love it—and her. She refuses to apologize for her weight and has become a positive role model for females of all ages. The adjective most often used to describe O'Donnell is "real."

Rosie O'Donnell

Born in Flushing, New York, and brought...