Laura Dern recalls 'bomb threats' after Ellen DeGeneres’ coming-out episode: 'The world went, no'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Laura Dern recently revisited the aftermath of appearing in Ellen DeGeneres’ historic coming-out episode of the sitcom Ellen, revealing that the backlash was far more intense than many anticipated.
Speaking on the 'Las Culturistas' podcast in February 2026, Dern shared how the cultural shift sparked by the episode came with a heavy personal cost.
Dern famously portrayed DeGeneres’ love interest in the April 1997 two-part episode, a moment that made DeGeneres the first lead queer character in US television history. While the episode is now widely seen as a milestone, Dern said the immediate reaction behind the scenes was anything but celebratory.
Laura Dern recalls backlash, security after Ellen episode
During her conversation with Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, Dern admitted the team initially believed the episode would spark instant acceptance.
She recalled the assumption at the time was, “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.”
Instead, the reaction was swift and unsettling. Dern revealed that the weeks following the broadcast required heightened protection for several people involved in the episode, including guest stars Oprah Winfrey and Demi Moore.
According to Dern, there was “major security” put in place as they dealt with serious threats.
Laura Dern recalls bomb threats, sponsor fallout after Ellen episode
What the cast expected to be a celebratory cultural moment quickly turned into what Dern described as a “crazy” period.
They faced “bomb threats, losing sponsors, and advertisers” in the aftermath of the episode’s release, she said, underscoring how volatile the response was at the time. Dern summed up the industry’s reaction bluntly: “The world went, 'No, no, no.' She lost her show. It was, you know, it took years.”
Despite the turmoil, the episode was later recognized as a defining moment in television history, something Dern said only became clear with time.
In the landmark episode, DeGeneres’ character, Ellen Morgan, realizes she is a lesbian after forming a connection with Susan, played by Dern. The storyline built toward a now-iconic airport moment where Ellen rushes to confess her feelings. Looking back, Dern still remembers the emotional weight of filming that scene.
She recalled Ellen “looking in my eyes, saying for the first time, out loud, with people watching.” “The privilege, the luxury of feeling it for someone in a moment was so beautiful,” Dern said. “It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.”
Laura Dern reflects on lasting impact of Ellen episode
While the immediate aftermath was turbulent, Dern said the true cultural impact revealed itself slowly over time, especially through personal stories from viewers. She remembered members of the Gay Men's Choir of Los Angeles approaching her years later.
“I had a couple of people, part of the Gay Men's Choir of Los Angeles, come up and go, ‘I was a kid who didn't even know what was going on. I saw that episode,’” she said. For Dern, those moments clarified why the risk had mattered.
“And you go, 'Oh right. 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.”
DeGeneres’ daytime talk show ultimately ran until it was axed in 2022 following a BuzzFeed News investigation that accused the program of fostering a toxic work environment.
The comedian later stepped away from entertainment in August 2024 after performing the final dates of her “Ellen’s Last Stand… Up” tour, which were filmed for her 2024 Netflix special 'For Your Approval.'
