Through the power of media, Oprah Winfrey has created an unparalleled connection with people around the world. As host and supervising producer of the top-rated, award-winning "The Oprah Winfrey Show," she entertained, enlightened and uplifted millions of viewers for 25 years. Her accomplishments as a global media leader and philanthropist have established her as one of the most respected and admired public figures today.
In 1984, Oprah moved to Chicago to host WLS-TV's morning talk show, "AM Chicago." In less than a year, the show expanded to one hour and was renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show." It entered national syndication in 1986, becoming the highest-rated talk show in television history. In 1988, she established Harpo Studios, making her the third woman in the American entertainment industry to own her own studio.
In 2008, Oprah and Discovery Communications announced plans to create OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah's heart and creative instincts inform the brand - and the magnetism of the channel. Oprah provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. Effective July 2011, Oprah assumed the positions of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer for the network. In April 2000, Oprah and Hearst Magazines introduced "O, The Oprah Magazine," a monthly magazine that has become one of today's leading women's lifestyle publications.
Through her company's film division, Harpo Films, she has produced projects based on classic and contemporary literature that have garnered the highest industry honors for quality acting and production. Telefilms under the "Oprah Winfrey Presents" banner have included the awardwinning "Tuesdays With Morrie," "Their Eyes Were Watching God," and "Mitch Albom's For One More Day". In 1998, Harpo Films produced the critically acclaimed "Beloved," a Touchstone Pictures feature film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Toni Morrison, which co-starred Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover and was directed by Jonathan Demme. In 2007, co-producers Harpo Films and The Weinstein Company released "The Great Debaters," which was directed by Academy Award®-winner Denzel Washington who also stars in the film with Academy Award®- winner Forest Whitaker. "The Great Debaters" received a Golden Globe® nomination for Best Motion Picture. In fall 2009, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry supported Lionsgate's distribution of "Precious," based on the novel by Sapphire.
Oprah made her acting debut in 1985 in Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple," for which she received both Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominations. Other acting credits include made-for-television movies "Before Women Had Wings" (1997), "There Are No Children Here" (1993), and "The Women of Brewster Place" (1989). She also has lent her voice to animated feature films, including "Charlotte's Web" (2006), "Bee Movie" (2007) and "The Princess and the Frog" (2009). Oprah made her Broadway debut as a producer for the Tony Award®-winning hit musical "The Color Purple," which opened on December 1, 2005 at the Broadway Theatre in New York City.
Oprah.com is a premier women's lifestyle website, offering advice on everything from the mind, body and spirit to food, home and relationships. It provides comprehensive resources related to OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, "The Oprah Winfrey Show", "O, The Oprah Magazine", and "Oprah Radio."
With a winning track record of syndicated television programs including "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Dr. Phil," "Rachael Ray," and "The Dr. Oz Show," Oprah owns the most successful production company in daytime talk. Through a joint venture, Oprah launched "Oprah & Friends" satellite radio channel in September 2006, which was renamed "Oprah Radio" in 2009, and airs on SiriusXM Radio.
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