--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first time probably people really…" description: "\"The first time probably people really were aware of me, I unfortunately had the title of Showtime's Funniest Person in America. And that's a really tou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ellen-degeneres-604_america_the-first-time-probably-people-really-we_2745547.jpg" --- # The first time probably people really were aware of me, I… ![“The first time probably people really were aware of me, I unfortunately had the title of Showtime's Funniest Person in America. And that's a really tough title to travel around with when you're not even known.” quote by Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ellen-degeneres-604_america_the-first-time-probably-people-really-we_2745547.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ellen-degeneres-604_america_the-first-time-probably-people-really-we_2745547.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ellen-degeneres-604_america_the-first-time-probably-people-really-we_2745547.jpg) > “The first time probably people really were aware of me, I unfortunately had the title of Showtime's Funniest Person in America. And that's a really tough title to travel around with when you're not even known.” [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early public recognition can become a burdensome label that overshadows personal identity. **In simple terms:** Famous titles can limit how others see you. Key Takeaway Define yourself beyond a single label. Themes identity public perception career Mood reflective determined Type personal career When to use this quote - interviews - social media - career transitions - public speaking Key Concepts celebrity branding self‑definition media narratives Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of your identity do you want people to notice? - How can you reshape a limiting label? A Different Perspective Labels can be hard to shed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel/) ## Related quotes > [The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-most-unprotected-person-in-america-is-the-black-woman/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Being a black person in America is exhausting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhausting/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [“repeatedly despite my feeble protestations. I would soon discover—perhaps the last person in America to do so—that this film was part of an entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-essex/repeatedly-despite-my-feeble-protestations-i-would-soon-discover/) [Andrew Essex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-essex/) > [We don't have a system that knocks on doors of every person in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-don-t-have-a-system-that-knocks-on-doors-of-every-person-in-america/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [I'm going to fight for every person in America who believes government should serve the people, not the donors and not the special interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-going-to-fight-for-every-person-in-america-who-believes/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I say, do not mess with Oprah. The one person in America you shouldn't mess with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-velez-mitchell/i-say-do-not-mess-with-oprah-the-one-person-in-america-you-shouldn-t/) [Jane Velez-Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-velez-mitchell/) > [I don't think there is another person in America that wants to tell this story as much as I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-north/i-don-t-think-there-is-another-person-in-america-that-wants-to-tell/) [Oliver North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-north/) > [The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-most-disrespected-person-in-america-is-the-black-woman-the-most/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I don't think any of us that are white can ever fully understand what it's like to be a black person in America today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/i-don-t-think-any-of-us-that-are-white-can-ever-fully-understand-what/) [Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/) > [You have Showtime, you have AMC, you have all of these, you know, incredible networks that are now bringing forth their product without the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-torres/you-have-showtime-you-have-amc-you-have-all-of-these-you-know/) [Gina Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-torres/) > [There's three networks you want to be on: It's either AMC, HBO, or Showtime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/there-s-three-networks-you-want-to-be-on-it-s-either-amc-hbo-or/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [As far as the future for the Showtime episodes that have already aired, we are sold into syndication so we'll be appearing primarily on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dean-anderson/as-far-as-the-future-for-the-showtime-episodes-that-have-already/) [Richard Dean Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dean-anderson/) > [I really like the stuff that Showtime puts out. I think that 'Homeland' is phenomenal. I think 'Dexter' is amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-really-like-the-stuff-that-showtime-puts-out-i-think-that-homeland/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [We have this pre-show thing where we all get into a huddle and yell, 'Pop, pop, it's showtime,' and I have to give credit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-cyrus/we-have-this-pre-show-thing-where-we-all-get-into-a-huddle-and-yell/) [Noah Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-cyrus/) > [That was cool, getting to work with Ryan Gosling. I knew he was going to be a huge star after I saw him in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherilyn-fenn/that-was-cool-getting-to-work-with-ryan-gosling-i-knew-he-was-going/) [Sherilyn Fenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherilyn-fenn/) ## More by Ellen DeGeneres > [I wanted to have money; I wanted to be special; I wanted people to like me; I wanted to be famous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-wanted-to-have-money-i-wanted-to-be-special-i-wanted-people-to-like/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I think what saved me is me being honest. I think I somewhow had the courage to do something and say something that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-think-what-saved-me-is-me-being-honest-i-think-i-somewhow-had-the/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I think there's too much mult-tasking going on. I think people need to quiet down and focus and be still more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-think-there-s-too-much-mult-tasking-going-on-i-think-people-need-to/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [We can sit and worry about what's going to happen to us two weeks from now. I'd rather focus on the amazing things happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/we-can-sit-and-worry-about-what-s-going-to-happen-to-us-two-weeks/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [It's our challenges and obstacles that give us layers of depth and make us interesting. Are they fun when they happen? No. But they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/it-s-our-challenges-and-obstacles-that-give-us-layers-of-depth-and/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I had done a sitcom and a movie and hosted the Emmys, and all of a sudden, I lost everything. As someone put it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-had-done-a-sitcom-and-a-movie-and-hosted-the-emmys-and-all-of-a/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [The thing everyone should realize is that the key to happiness is being happy for yourself and yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-thing-everyone-should-realize-is-that-the-key-to-happiness-is/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Save a life this Thanksgiving, and join me in starting a new tradition by adopting a turkey instead of eating one through Farm Sanctuary's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/save-a-life-this-thanksgiving-and-join-me-in-starting-a-new-tradition/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: Yes. Yes. No. One time in high school. Three times in my twenties. Rocks no salt. Yes. Four. Never.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/answers-to-frequently-asked-questions-yes-yes-no-one-time-in-high/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Actually this is really funny - one time she accidentally forgot to leave a note and I had no idea she had even moved.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/actually-this-is-really-funny-one-time-she-accidentally-forgot-to/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [A circus! 100 clowns of injustice have climbed out of the tiny clown car of this court room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/a-circus-100-clowns-of-injustice-have-climbed-out-of-the-tiny-clown/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Gratitude is looking on the brighter side of the life, even if it means hurting your eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/gratitude-is-looking-on-the-brighter-side-of-the-life-even-if-it/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [What's New Orleans without music? And what's music without dancing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/what-s-new-orleans-without-music-and-what-s-music-without-dancing/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [The legend goes that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. I was thinking... that must be hard to put all the tiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-legend-goes-that-st-patrick-drove-the-snakes-out-of-ireland-i-was/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Quick decision makers are often stuck behind annoying people in line at Starbucks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/quick-decision-makers-are-often-stuck-behind-annoying-people-in-line/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) [Explore all 450 Ellen DeGeneres quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The first time probably people really were aware of me, I unfortunately had the title of Showtime's Funniest Person in America. And that's a really tough title to travel around with when you're not even known.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ellen DeGeneres" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-first-time-probably-people-really-were-aware-of-me-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "America" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-first-time-probably-people-really-were-aware-of-me-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ellen-degeneres-604_america_the-first-time-probably-people-really-we_2745547.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ellen-degeneres-604_america_the-first-time-probably-people-really-we_2745547.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f8/ellen-degeneres-604_america_the-first-time-probably-people-really-we_2745547.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The first time probably people really were aware of me, I unfortunately had the title of Showtime's Funniest…” — Ellen DeGeneres", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ellen DeGeneres", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The first time probably people really...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-first-time-probably-people-really-were-aware-of-me-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-first-time-probably-people-really-were-aware-of-me-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```