Chelsea Handler
Born 1975 · Age 51
American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, television host, producer and author best known for Chelsea Lately, multiple best‑selling books, Netflix documentaries and stand-up specials.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Livingston, New Jersey
Chelsea Joy Handler was born to Seymour and Rita Handler in Livingston, New Jersey.
Eldest brother Chet dies in hiking accident
Her eldest brother, Chet, died at age 21 in a hiking accident in Grand Teton National Park; Chelsea was nine at the time.
Mother diagnosed with breast cancer
Rita Handler was diagnosed with breast cancer; she battled the disease for more than 15 years.
Had one (later revealed) abortion at 16
Chelsea has publicly said she had an abortion at age 16; she disclosed this in a 2011 interview.
Moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting
At 19, Handler moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles, lived with an aunt in Bel Air and worked as a waitress while pursuing acting.
Decided to pursue stand-up comedy
At age 21 she decided to focus on stand-up after telling a humorous story in a DUI offenders class and getting big laughs.
Early TV roles (Spy TV, The Plotters)
Small acting credits appear, including Spy TV and The Plotters.
Cast member: Girls Behaving Badly (Oxygen)
Joined the all-female cast of the hidden-camera series Girls Behaving Badly, which aired 2002–2005.
TV guest roles: The Practice & My Wife and Kids
Guest appearances on The Practice and My Wife and Kids (single-episode roles in 2002).
Guest role: The Bernie Mac Show
Appeared in an episode of The Bernie Mac Show.
Published first book: My Horizontal Life
Released My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands (her first book), beginning her career as a best‑selling author.
Mother Rita Handler died
Rita Handler died after a long fight with breast cancer (diagnosed in 1989).
Film & TV credits: National Lampoon, Reno 911!
Acted in National Lampoon Presents Cattle Call and appeared on Reno 911!, broadening film/TV resume.
Dated Ted Harbert (began)
Began dating Ted Harbert, who oversaw E! in 2006; relationship ended publicly Jan 25, 2010.
Launched The Chelsea Handler Show on E!
Began hosting The Chelsea Handler Show (sketches and stand-up) on E!; the show lasted two seasons (12 episodes).
Performed on Comedy Central's Hour Stand-Up Comedy Tour
Participated in the nationwide stand-up tour across the U.S.
Starred in web series In the Motherhood
Appeared in the internet-based program In the Motherhood with Leah Remini and Jenny McCarthy (2007–08 online).
Premiered Chelsea Lately (E!)
Premiered half-hour late-night series Chelsea Lately on E!; the show averaged >500,000 viewers and generated many viral clips.
Published Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea
Second book released; hit #1 on The New York Times Nonfiction Best Seller List on May 11, 2008; initial print run >350,000 copies.
ABC announced adaptation of In the Motherhood
ABC announced it would turn In the Motherhood into a TV series (different cast) on Sept 8, 2008.
Named Grand Marshal of LA Pride; GLAAD and Bravo awards
Hosted the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards (May 2009), received the Human Rights Campaign 'Ally for Equality' award (Mar 2009), and won Bravo A‑List Award ('A‑List Funny') in Apr 2009.
Posed for Allure & appeared in Playboy (non-nude)
Posed nude for the May 2009 Allure cover and appeared on one Playboy cover in Dec 2009; inside pictorial was non-nude.
Ranked on Forbes Celebrity 100 (No.98)
In 2010 Handler was listed at No. 98 on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list.
Split from Ted Harbert
Publicly confirmed breakup with Ted Harbert on Jan 25, 2010.
Published Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
Released third book Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang on March 9, 2010; hit #1 on NYT Nonfiction Hardback list on March 21, 2010.
Announced as host of 2010 MTV VMAs
It was announced she would host the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, making her the second woman to solo host the VMAs.
Hosted the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards
Hosted the VMAs at Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles on Sept 12, 2010.
Given publishing imprint Borderline Amazing
Publishers granted Handler her own imprint Borderline Amazing/A Chelsea Handler Book and a three-book deal announced Nov 15, 2010.
Published Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me
Released book (May 2011) featuring coworkers and family; part of her Borderline Amazing imprint and reached bestseller status.
Briefly dated rapper 50 Cent
Reported brief relationship with rapper 50 Cent around 2011.
Publicly revealed having had an abortion at 16 (NYT interview)
In a 2011 New York Times interview she revealed she had an abortion at 16, saying it was the right choice for her at the time.
After Lately premiered (spinoff mockumentary)
After Lately, a mockumentary spinoff featuring Chelsea Lately's cast and writers, debuted on E! on March 6, 2011.
Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People
Time included Chelsea Handler on its annual Time 100 list in 2012.
Are You There, Chelsea? sitcom premiered on NBC
NBC aired a sitcom based on Handler's book with Laura Prepon starring; Handler was executive producer and had a supporting role. The show aired Jan 11–Mar 28, 2012.
Hosted Human Rights Campaign Gala in Los Angeles
Hosted the HRC Gala, reflecting her activism and support for LGBTQ+ equality.
Are You There, Chelsea? canceled by NBC
NBC canceled the series on May 11, 2012 after one season.
Received Just For Laughs Comedy Person of the Year
Awarded Comedy Person of the Year at Montreal's Just For Laughs festival.
Appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? (family history)
On the TLC genealogy show she discovered her maternal grandfather served in the German army during WWII.
Confirmed breakup with André Balazs
On Oct 3, 2013 she confirmed her breakup with hotelier André Balazs after an on-and-off relationship of about two years.
Published Uganda Be Kidding Me; stand-up special
Released Uganda Be Kidding Me (book) in early 2014; did the Uganda Be Kidding Me live stand-up in June 2014 and released the special on Netflix in Oct 2014.
Chelsea Lately aired final episode
After more than 1,000 episodes, Chelsea Lately ended on Aug 26, 2014.
Produced The Josh Wolf Show (CMT)
Produced Josh Wolf's The Josh Wolf Show, which debuted June 2015; the show was canceled in 2016.
Chelsea Does released on Netflix
Released four‑part documentary series Chelsea Does (topics: marriage, Silicon Valley, racism, drugs) on Netflix in January 2016.
Revealed she had a second abortion at 16 (Playboy interview)
In a 2016 Playboy interview she revealed she had a second abortion at age 16 in addition to the one discussed previously.
Premiered Netflix talk show Chelsea
Began hosting a new Netflix talk show Chelsea in May 2016; envisioned as more serious than Chelsea Lately.
Chelsea (Netflix) concluded after 2 seasons
Announced in Oct 2017 that Chelsea would conclude after season 2 so Handler could focus on activism.
Partnered with TNT to develop I Hate the Internet
In Oct 2017 she partnered with TNT as executive producer to develop a drama series based on Jarrett Kobek's I Hate the Internet.
Hulu began developing Unspeakable (executive producer)
Hulu started developing a dramedy based on Meghan Daum's book; Handler had optioned the book and would serve as executive producer.
Signed multi-year first-look deal with NBCUniversal
In March 2018 Handler signed a multi-year first-look deal to develop programming for Universal Television and its alternate studio.
Announced Netflix documentary on white privilege
In Aug 2018 she revealed she was working on a Netflix documentary examining white privilege.
Planned Marvel animated series Tigra & Dazzler (producing)
In Feb 2019 Marvel Television and Hulu planned an animated series and Handler was set to produce Tigra & Dazzler; creative issues emerged later.
Published memoir Life Will Be the Death of Me ...and You Too!
Published her memoir April 2019 through Penguin Random House; it reached the top spot on the NYT Bestsellers list.
Released Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea (Netflix)
Netflix released the documentary examining white privilege in September 2019.
Universal TV acquired rights to adapt memoir
Universal Television acquired TV rights in September 2019 to adapt Life Will Be the Death of Me into a series.
Creative departures on Tigra & Dazzler
In Dec 2019 writers and showrunner Erica Rivinoja departed the project after creative differences; Handler remained attached.
Marvel series scrapped
In Jan 2020 Marvel Studios scrapped the Tigra & Dazzler animated series.
Sold two comedy series to streaming (Blair to HBO Max, Wiped Out to Peacock)
In Sept 2020 Handler executive produced and sold two comedies she developed at Universal: Blair (HBO Max) and Wiped Out (Peacock).
Announced HBO Max stand-up special (producer & star)
In May 2020 Handler announced she would produce and star in a stand-up special for HBO Max (Evolution released 2020).
Launched Dear Chelsea podcast and Vaccinated & Horny Tour
In 2021 she launched the Dear Chelsea advice podcast and embarked on the Vaccinated & Horny stand-up tour with 115 shows across North America.
Sold Bel-Air home (bought earlier) for over $10M
Reportedly sold a Bel-Air property she had bought in 2010; sale in 2021 was for over $10 million (reported figure).
Confirmed relationship with Jo Koy
Handler and comedian Jo Koy posted an official Instagram post confirming their relationship on Sept 27, 2021; the relationship ended later.
Won People's Choice Award: The Comedy Act of 2021
Handler won 'The Comedy Act of 2021' at the People's Choice Awards for her Vaccinated & Horny Tour.
Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album (Evolution)
Nominated for the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for her stand-up special Evolution.
Released Revolution (Netflix stand-up special)
Released the Netflix special Chelsea Handler: Revolution in December 2022.
Signed 'No Hostage Left Behind' letter regarding Israel
Following the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, Handler signed an open letter to President Biden demanding the release of kidnapped Israelis.
Hosted 29th Critics' Choice Awards
Served as host for the 29th Critics' Choice Awards (TV special hosting credit listed).
Pro-Palestine protest disrupted a comedy show in Virginia
Pro-Palestine protestors disrupted her show on April 19, 2024 over her views on Israel; arrests and removals occurred.
Published I'll Have What She's Having (NYT #1)
Released I’ll Have What She’s Having (memoir-in-essays); HWA and press list it as an instant #1 New York Times bestseller (Feb 2025).
Released Netflix stand-up special The Feeling
Released The Feeling (Netflix stand-up special, reported release March 25, 2025) and material referencing her life, business ventures and childhood.
Las Vegas residency: Chelsea at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan
Performed a Las Vegas residency at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan; reported as the venue's first female comedian residency and extended through Aug 30, 2025.
Hosted the 30th Critics' Choice Awards (announced/hosted)
Listed as host of the 30th Critics' Choice Awards (hosting role for the award special in 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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