Laura Dern has opened up about the perilous aftermath of appearing in Ellen DeGeneres' groundbreaking coming-out episode of her sitcom, Ellen, revealing that bomb threats and intense security measures followed the historic broadcast.
The Landmark Television Moment
In April 1997, Dern, known for her role in Marriage Story, portrayed DeGeneres' love interest in a revelatory two-part episode. This episode made television history by featuring DeGeneres as the first lead queer character on U.S. television, with her character Ellen Morgan coming out as gay.
Expectations Versus Reality
Speaking on the Las Culturistas podcast with hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, Dern explained that the cast anticipated an immediate positive reaction from viewers. "You're going to 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," she recalled thinking.
However, the reality was starkly different. In the months following the episode's release, Dern, along with guest stars like Oprah Winfrey and Demi Moore, required "major security" due to serious threats. Dern described a "crazy" week post-release, marked by bomb threats, the loss of sponsors, and advertisers pulling out.
Immediate Fallout and Long-Term Impact
"The world went, 'No, no, no.' She lost her show. It was, you know, it took years," Dern said, highlighting the initial backlash. DeGeneres' sitcom was eventually cancelled, but the cultural significance of the episode grew over time.
Dern remembered the emotional moment during filming when DeGeneres' character confessed her feelings, saying, "The privilege, the luxury of feeling it for someone in a moment was so beautiful. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life."
Cultural Legacy and Reflections
Reflecting on the episode's enduring impact, Dern shared anecdotes from members of the Gay Men's Choir of Los Angeles, who credited the broadcast with helping them as young viewers. "I had a couple of people come up and go, 'I was a kid who didn't even know what was going on. I saw that episode,'" she recalled.
Dern emphasized the importance of such cultural milestones, stating, "That's why you want culture to catch up later. That is culture. Culture is doing it when nobody's caught up. I mean, it's just such a gift."
Ellen DeGeneres' Subsequent Career
Following this pivotal moment, DeGeneres went on to host the popular primetime talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show until 2022, when it was axed after allegations of a toxic work environment. She retired from the entertainment industry in August 2024 after her final stand-up tour, which was filmed for the Netflix special For Your Approval.
This revelation from Dern sheds light on the risks and challenges faced by those involved in pioneering LGBT representation on television, underscoring the episode's lasting legacy despite the initial turmoil.
