Portia de

Portia Lee James DeGeneres (also also known as Portia de Rossi) is a famous Australian and American actor, model and philanthropist. Her name was changed legally at age 15years old, adopting the title 'Portia', derived from the Shakespearean play 'The Merchant of Venice'. Then she adopted the Italian name 'de Rossi' that she believed to be attractive. Portia declares that this is the most courageous thing she's done. The struggle she had with her sexuality drove her to change names. She began her career in Hollywood with the romantic drama film "Sirens. It was a film in which she starred with Hugh Grant. Portia also played a role in several American television series and movies such as Too Something, Nick Freno, licensed Teacher, Arrested Development, and, Better Off Ted. She made her name for herself with her portrayal as a Boston-based attorney who was named Nelle Porter, in a TV comedy series called, Ally McBeal. Her character was the show's main comic relief.