Ellen DeGeneres Lost 3 Years Of Career After Her Coming Out Episode 25 Years Ago

It has been 25 years since Ellen DeGeneres made a rather bold move with her historic coming-out episode of the sitcom “Ellen.”

During Thursday's episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," the comedian celebrated the silver jubilee by reflecting on her experience, saying "look at me now," according to People.

The episode titled "The Puppy Episode" was taped in front of a live audience, on April 30, 1997, and not only did DeGeneres publicly come out as gay, but her character on the ABC also hit sitcom did, too.

"When I came out, people warned me that it was going to ruin my career, and they were right for a while," she said during her opening monologue, adding that she did lose out on a few years because of the bold move. "Actually, for exactly three years, I lost my career. But look at me now."

DeGeneres then stressed the importance of learning to accept and embrace people for their "authentic selves," before being met by loud cheers and applause from the audience.

"It really goes to show you how important it is to be your authentic self, and how important it is to accept others as their authentic selves," she continued.

"I didn't see a lot of people like me on television when I was a kid — Peppermint Patty of course. As soon as I saw those sensible shoes, I knew. The creator said she wasn't a lesbian, but good grief," she joked.

While the talk-show host felt encouraged by just how far people have come since then, she said she hopes they will continue to evolve.

"So, it's been 25 years since my coming out episode, and the only time I'm in the closet now is when Portia and I play hide and seek," DeGeneres said, referencing her wife, Portia De Rossi, to whom she has been married to since 2008 after same-sex marriages were legalized in California per Parade.

"I think about what the next 25 years will bring, and I hope that we keep evolving. I hope, like a little tiny egg that turns into a caterpillar that then turns into a cocoon that eventually, emerges and spreads its big gay butterfly wings."

DeGeneres then ended her monologue by thanking the audience for their constant support.

"A lot of people didn't think this show would work because I was openly gay, and you proved them wrong. This job has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and thank you for inviting me into your homes for 19 years and accepting me for who I am. I am so grateful that I've had this platform to not only give a voice to the gay community, but to all people who feel like they're not seen. That to me is something I'm most proud of," she shared.

"From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you."