In January 2018, a wave of sadness was felt by the audience of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Host Ellen DeGeneres shared the personal news that her father, Elliott DeGeneres, had passed away at the age of 92. While he was not a public figure himself, Elliott DeGeneres was the man who raised one of the world’s most beloved comedians. In a heartfelt and emotional tribute, Ellen painted a picture of a man who lived a long, full life defined by kindness, acceptance, and a quiet pride that deeply shaped who she became. This is the story of the man she simply called “Dad.”
Quick Bio of Elliott DeGeneres
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Elliott Everett DeGeneres |
| Born | June 28, 1925 |
| Died | January 2018 |
| Age at Death | 92 |
| Primary Residence | Metairie, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Insurance Salesman |
| Known For | Father of Ellen and Vance DeGeneres |
| Spouse | Betty DeGeneres (née Pfeffer) |
| Marriage | m. 1952; div. 1974 |
| Children | Vance DeGeneres, Ellen DeGeneres |
| Personal Beliefs | Lifelong Christian Scientis |
Who Was Elliott DeGeneres? A Simple Biography
The Elliott DeGeneres biography is that of a quiet American life, lived mostly away from the Hollywood spotlight his children would one day inhabit. Elliott Everett DeGeneres was born on June 28, 1925. He spent most of his life in Louisiana, particularly in the New Orleans area.
For his career, the Elliott DeGeneres job was that of an insurance salesman. He was a working family man. A significant part of his life was his faith; Ellen shared that he was a devout Christian Scientist his entire life. This belief shaped his approach to health. “He never had medicine his whole life,” Ellen explained. “He never went to a doctor… and he lived to be 92.”
A Life in Louisiana: Marriage to Betty DeGeneres
In 1952, Elliott DeGeneres married Betty DeGeneres (then Betty Pfeffer). They settled in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. Their home became the starting point for a family that would produce incredible creative talent.
Two years after their marriage, in 1954, they welcomed their first child, Vance Elliott DeGeneres. Four years later, in 1958, their daughter Ellen Lee DeGeneres was born. For nearly two decades, Elliott DeGeneres and Betty raised their two children, instilling in them the values and, evidently, the humor that would define their futures.
A Family Changes: The Divorce
The marriage between Elliott DeGeneres and Betty DeGeneres eventually came to an end. The couple divorced in 1974 when Ellen was about 16 years old. This separation was a major event in the family’s life.
Following the divorce, Betty married Roy Gruessendorf, and Ellen moved with them to Texas. Her brother, Vance, reportedly stayed with his father, Elliott DeGeneres, for a time before also moving out. Though the family structure changed, the connection between father and children remained.
A Father’s Pride: Ellen’s Emotional On-Air Tribute
The world learned about the passing of Elliott DeGeneres directly from his daughter. On her show, Ellen spoke lovingly about her father, sharing intimate details that painted a beautiful picture of their relationship. She assured her audience that his death was not unexpected and that she, her brother, and other family members were able to talk to him and say goodbye.
“He had a good, long life, and he lived his life exactly how he wanted,” she said. She described Elliott DeGeneres as a “kind man, a very accepting man.” In a statement that resonated deeply with her fans, she added, “There was not one bone of judgment in his body.” This quality of acceptance was a cornerstone of their bond, especially as Ellen’s life became more public.
The Origin of the Humor
For years, audiences have wondered where Ellen DeGeneres got her unique comic timing and wit. Ellen answered that question in her tribute: she credited her father.
She shared that Elliott DeGeneres “was very funny” and that she and her brother Vance inherited their famous sense of humor directly from him. It’s a powerful legacy, as that humor has brought joy to millions of people around the world.
The Rainbow: A Perfect Hollywood Ending
Perhaps the most touching part of Ellen’s tribute was a story that felt like it was pulled from a movie script. She explained that her father loved the entertainment business and was always proud of her success. She recalled, “When I was a kid, my dad took us on one vacation to Warner Bros. Studios.”
Decades later, Ellen’s show was filmed on that exact same lot. “I work on the Warner Bros. lot and I have my own stage with my name on it,” she said, noting how proud this made her father. In a moment of pure magic, Ellen shared what happened just before he died. “I got to talk to him… I was leaving the building, and I looked back and there was a rainbow over the Warner Bros. studio… He died 10 minutes later.”
Clearing Up the Confusion: Answering Common Questions
Because he was the father of a major celebrity, many people search for information about Elliott DeGeneres, leading to some common confusion online.
Elliott DeGeneres: Father, Not Stepfather
Many searches ask about the “elliott degeneres stepfather” connection. To be clear, Elliott DeGeneres was the biological father of Ellen and Vance. The man who became their stepfather was Roy Gruessendorf, whom Betty married after her divorce from Elliott.
The ‘Brother’ Keyword: Vance Elliott DeGeneres
The search term “brother elliott degeneres” is also a point of confusion. Elliott DeGeneres‘s son is Vance Elliott DeGeneres. Vance is Ellen’s brother. He is a successful musician, actor, comedian, and writer, known for his work on The Daily Show and for co-founding the band House of Schock. The keyword simply mixes the father’s name with the brother’s title.
The Rockefeller Myth and Net Worth
What about the “elliott degeneres rockefeller” connection? There is absolutely no public information or credible genealogical record that links Elliott DeGeneres or his family to the famous Rockefeller family. This appears to be a baseless internet rumor.
Similarly, searches for the “elliott degeneres net worth” will not yield a specific number. He was a private citizen who worked as an insurance salesman. His finances were not, and are not, a matter of public record.
A Legacy of Kindness
The Elliott DeGeneres obituary isn’t one you’ll find filled with public achievements, but with the private memories of his children. His daughter’s famous sign-off, “Be Kind,” seems to be a direct reflection of the father she described.
The man who had “not one bone of judgment” raised a daughter who would champion acceptance and kindness on a global stage. His pride in her success, from their one family vacation to Warner Bros. to her having a stage there, is a touching story of a father’s love.
A Wonderful 92 Years
The elliott degeneres death was not a tragedy, but the peaceful end to a long and full life. He lived to see both of his children achieve great success in the creative fields he admired. He passed away at the age of 92, with the love of his family surrounding him.
Elliott DeGeneres lived his life on his own terms, true to his Christian Science faith. He was a kind dad, a funny man, and a proud father. As Ellen herself said, he “lived a wonderful 92 years,” and his legacy of humor and acceptance lives on brightly through his children.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who was Elliott DeGeneres?
Elliott DeGeneres was the father of comedian Ellen DeGeneres and musician Vance DeGeneres. He worked as an insurance salesman and was remembered by Ellen as a kind, accepting, and funny man. - How old was Elliott DeGeneres when he died?
Elliott DeGeneres died in January 2018 at the age of 92. Ellen said he “lived a wonderful 92 years.” - What was Elliott DeGeneres’ job?
He worked as an insurance salesman in the New Orleans, Louisiana area. - Who is Elliott DeGeneres’ wife?
He was married to Betty DeGeneres (Betty Pfeffer) from 1952 until their divorce in 1974. They had two children together, Ellen and Vance. - What did Ellen DeGeneres say about her father’s passing?
Ellen gave an emotional on-air tribute, saying her father was a “kind man… with not one bone of judgment in his body.” She also shared a touching story about a rainbow appearing over her studio just before he passed.
Conclusion
Elliott DeGeneres was much more than just the father of a celebrity; he was the root of the kindness and humor that his children, Ellen and Vance, shared with the world. He lived a long and principled life as an insurance salesman and devout Christian Scientist, defined by his gentle and accepting nature. His daughter’s moving tribute, complete with the story of a perfectly timed rainbow, showed the deep love and pride he had for his family. While he lived his 92 years out of the spotlight, the legacy of Elliott DeGeneres is visible every time his daughter reminds millions to “Be Kind,” a simple, powerful lesson from a father she adored.
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