Laura Dern Reflects on Supporting Ellen DeGeneres During Historic Coming-Out

Dern opened up about the cultural impact of the famous episode and her status as a 'gay icon.'

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Actress Laura Dern reflected on her role in supporting Ellen DeGeneres during the famous 1997 episode of the sitcom 'Ellen' where DeGeneres' character came out as a lesbian. Dern revealed they received bomb threats at the time, but the episode had a profound cultural impact that is still felt today. Dern also discussed being viewed as a 'gay icon' for her involvement in the historic moment.

Why it matters

Ellen DeGeneres' public coming out was a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation on television. Dern's support of her friend and co-star during this pivotal time highlighted the risks and backlash that came with challenging societal norms, but also the lasting impact it had on the LGBTQ+ community.

The details

In the 1997 'Puppy Episode' of the sitcom 'Ellen,' Dern played Susan, a woman Ellen Morgan (DeGeneres' character) had a crush on. Dern discussed how the reaction to the episode was not as positive as they had hoped, revealing they even received bomb threats. However, the cultural impact of Ellen coming out publicly was profound, with Dern later being honored as a 'gay icon' at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards.

  • In 1997, the 'Puppy Episode' of 'Ellen' aired, where DeGeneres' character came out as a lesbian.
  • In 2020, Dern was honored as a 'gay icon' at the Independent Spirit Awards.

The players

Laura Dern

An American actress who played Susan, a woman Ellen Morgan (DeGeneres' character) had a crush on, in the historic 'Puppy Episode' of the sitcom 'Ellen'.

Ellen DeGeneres

An American comedian and television host who came out as a lesbian through the character of Ellen Morgan on her sitcom 'Ellen' in 1997.

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What they’re saying

“The assumption is you're gonna do this thing and, thank god, people will wake up, love their relatives and their neighbors, see them. Everything will expand. Culture will catch up, and it will be a beautiful celebration. The world went, 'No. No. No.'”

— Laura Dern, Actress (Las Culturistas podcast)

“Being part of that moment with Ellen, it wasn't that I was somebody supporting an actor or a friend by being part of the show. It makes me emotional, but I was holding her hands as they were shaking. And she was looking in my eyes, saying for the first time, 'I'm gay,' out loud with people watching. And the privilege, the luxury of feeling it for someone in a moment was so beautiful.”

— Laura Dern, Actress (Las Culturistas podcast)

The takeaway

Dern's support of DeGeneres during her historic coming-out episode highlighted the risks and backlash that came with challenging societal norms, but also the lasting impact it had on the LGBTQ+ community. Dern's own status as a 'gay icon' is a testament to the cultural significance of that pivotal moment in television history.