While some talk show hosts have begged networks to maintain them on the air, Rosie O’Donnell said she walked away from hers. In a brand new interview, the comedian and actress said she turned down Warner Bros offer to renew her talk show for $100 million when she learned she had exactly that quantity in her checking account. In line with the mother of 5, she was never within the business to get wealthy, and after realizing she had good enough to handle herself, family, friends, and even strangers, she knew it was time to maneuver on.
Chatting with Page Six, O’Donnell, 64, said she was greater than OK with “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” ending after six seasons in 2002 because she was rolling in dough. In line with her, throughout her run on the show, her checking account had amassed a staggering $100 million.
“After I heard that [number], I believed, ‘OK, now I’m done,’” she said. “And everybody was like, ‘Why are you leaving?’”
O’Donnell, Kelli Carpenter’s ex-wife, said that leaving wasn’t just concerning the money; it was about being present for the moments most vital to her. “I desired to be at their softball games,” she said. “I desired to be in school plays.”
Rosie O’Donnell Said The Executives At Warner Bros Were Confused When She Decided To Leave One other $100 Million On The Table
O’Donnell said she realized she “had enough money to handle everyone in my life, philanthropy, and strangers,” so her interest in returning for an additional season quickly faded.
In line with “The View” alum, Warner Bros offered her one other $100 million to return for a seventh season, but she declined the offer with ease.
When the executives on the network questioned her decision, O’Donnell said she told them that by that time in her profession, she didn’t must spend time stacking more cash.
“I don’t get the billionaires,” she said. “I don’t get how people only measure their life in money, not what they’ll do for other people.”
Could Rosie O’Donnell Ever Make A Talk Show Comeback? She Says…
Although she vowed to depart the cue cards behind, O’Donnell actually returned to host a special episode of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
O’Donnell, in partnership with Broadway.com, hosted a one-night-only show on her YouTube channel, raising a whopping $600,000 for the Actors Fund.
The production was produced by “Madam Secretary” star Erich Bergen and featured several stellar performers, including Ben Platt, Patti LuPone, Kristin Chenoweth, and Billy Porter.
Speaking with Variety, O’Donnell said she didn’t know if she could see herself returning to hosting full-time, but acknowledged the nostalgic feeling the show likely evoked for her fans.
“You place each of those together, and any person like me who wears her heart on her sleeve, it’s a great combination. So I don’t know what’s going to occur,” she said.
O’Donnell’s ‘View’ Co-Star Said She’s Not In The Same Boat…
O’Donnell’s comments about money differ vastly from those of her “The View” counterpart, Whoopi Goldberg. During a previous interview with Entertainment Tonight, Goldberg was asked whether she had ever considered slowing down, on condition that she’s been on the long-running talk show for nearly 20 years.
“Yeah, but who can afford to do this? You understand, for those who don’t marry well, you gotta keep working,” the “Sister Act” star said. “No, not by now. Not yet. I gotta keep paying those bills, baby.”
Goldberg then said that she could relate to those that were having a tough time, saying, “Me, too. I work for a living.” She added, “If I had all the cash on the planet, I’d not be here, okay? So, I’m a working person, you already know.”
Sherri Shepherd Pleaded For Her Talk Show To Get One other Likelihood
And speaking of talk shows, earlier this yr, news broke that Sherri Shepherd’s show was ending after 4 seasons on the air. While the announcement was upsetting for her, Shepherd told “TODAY” hosts Jenna and Sheinelle that she was still working hard to maintain her program alive.
“Let me inform you something. I’m from the Shepherds of Chicago. We don’t go down with out a fight, under no circumstances. So, I’m still really attempting to keep this going, and also you haven’t seen the last of ‘Sherri,’” she said.
The show aired its final episode on May 21, 2026, and, in an emotional farewell clip, the comedian thanked everyone involved for helping to show her dreams into reality.
“I would like to say, from the underside of my heart, I would like to thanks for welcoming me into your homes each day. I would like to thanks for laughing and crying with us,” she said.