Laura Dern looks back on what she calls one of the most significant moments of her career and talks about her experience supporting Ellen DeGeneres during a groundbreaking chapter in television history.
Talking about Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers The Bodybuilders On the podcast, Dern reflected on the cultural weight of appearing in the two-part episode of the 1997 comedy. Elena in which DeGeneres’ character revealed her sexual orientation, the first time a main character did so on television.
Speaking about representation, Dern said real change often only happens when someone is willing to go first, even before society is ready.
He explained that culture eventually catches up with storytelling, but only because someone takes that initial step.
Nearly 30 years later, Dern said she still meets people who tell her the episode helped them understand themselves or find the courage to come out.
At the same time, she was honest about the personal cost of being a part of that moment.
“I had the honor and privilege of being a part of Ellen DeGeneres’ coming out episode called The puppy episodeand it was a huge moment,” Dern said.
He noted that in retrospect, people often assume it was celebrated instantly, but the reality was much more complicated and painful.
When the episode aired in April 1997, Dern said the expectation was that it would lead to empathy and acceptance. He recalled the assumption that the public would open their hearts, embrace their loved ones and allow the culture to evolve naturally.
Instead, the reaction was intense and hostile.
That reaction affected everyone involved, including DeGeneres and other guest stars.
Dern revealed that those connected to the episode faced years of increased security, along with bomb threats and the loss of sponsors and advertisers during what she described as a chaotic period.
“The world said, ‘No, no, no,’” he said, adding that DeGeneres eventually lost her show and it took years for things to change.
Despite that, Dern believes the long-term impact shows why it’s important to take risks when telling stories.
She noted her strong queer fan base and recalled being honored at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards when they celebrated her as an icon.
He said moments like that show how far the culture has come.
Dern recalled holding DeGeneres’ hand as she said the words out loud for the first time on screen, calling it “one of the most incredible experiences of my life.”
Although Dern said she never hesitated to participate in the episode, she acknowledged that both she and DeGeneres were affected professionally in the aftermath.
Still, he said there has been “no greater gift” than being there in that moment, supporting DeGeneres through an emotional and historic scene that would shape television and representation for generations.
Most recently, DeGeneres has marked personal milestones with her wife, Portia de Rossi.
The couple, who married in 2008 and renewed their vows in 2023, regularly share tributes online.
DeGeneres has described his wife as “the greatest gift,” a reflection of the life he has built years after that pivotal episode first aired.
For Dern, the experience remains a powerful reminder of why representation matters, even when the cost seems overwhelming in the moment.
She believes culture is shaped precisely by those brave enough to move forward before the rest of the world is ready.
