Ellen DeGeneres was born and raised in Metarie, Louisiana. She launched her career as a stand up comedian, performing regularly at small clubs and coffee housees. At the tender age of 23 she landed her first consistent gig as an emcee at Clyde"s Comedy Club in New Orleans. She began to tour nationally, being named Showtime"s Funniest Person in America in 1982. In 1986 she appeared for the first time on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, which turned out to be the exposure of a lifetime. In this inspirational docu-drama we examine the highs and lows of the woman who puts the "C" in comedy.