If you close your eyes and think of Rosie O’Donnell, you probably hear it immediately. That thick, unapologetic accent. It’s the kind of voice that doesn't just talk; it announces itself. For decades, fans have wondered exactly where is Rosie O'Donnell from because that specific "New York-ness" is so central to her entire brand.
But here’s the thing. While most people just point to New York and leave it at that, the actual map of her life is way more interesting—and recently, it’s taken a turn that almost nobody saw coming. She’s not even living in the U.S. anymore.
The Commack Roots: Where the Legend Began
Rosie was born on March 21, 1962. While she technically entered the world in Bayside, Queens, she is, through and through, a product of Commack, Long Island.
Growing up in Commack wasn't exactly a Hollywood movie. Honestly, it was a pretty standard middle-class suburban existence until it wasn't. Her dad, Edward, was an electrical engineer who worked on top-secret spy cameras for satellites. Her mom, Roseann, was the PTA president. Rosie was the middle child of five, and by all accounts, they were a tight-knit Irish Catholic family.
Then, everything broke.
In 1973, just four days before Rosie’s 11th birthday, her mother died of breast cancer. It changed everything. Her father didn't handle the grief well—he basically scrubbed the house of her mother’s belongings. Rosie and her siblings were left to find their own "mothers" in pop culture. She literally looked at Barbra Streisand and the cast of The Brady Bunch and decided that was the family she wanted.
High School Royalty and the First Big Break
By the time she hit Commack High School, Rosie was basically the queen of the campus. And I mean that literally. She was voted:
- Homecoming Queen
- Prom Queen
- Senior Class President
- Class Clown
It was during these years that she realized her "Long Island mouth" was a superpower. She started doing a Gilda Radner imitation (the famous Roseanne Rosannadanna character) and the school went nuts.
The Comedy Club That Changed Everything
You've probably heard of the "East Side Comedy Club." If you’re from Long Island, it’s legendary. Rosie started there when she was just a teenager.
The story goes that she didn't even have her own material at first. She was just 16 and would basically go on stage and do Jerry Seinfeld’s act word-for-word. She thought that's just what comedians did—like how singers cover songs. The older comics eventually pulled her aside and told her she had to write her own stuff.
It worked. She eventually caught the eye of a talent scout who just happened to be Ed McMahon’s daughter. That led to Star Search, and well, you know the rest.
Wait, Where Does Rosie O’Donnell Live Now?
If you’re looking for her in a New York penthouse or a Malibu mansion in 2026, you’re looking in the wrong country.
In a move that shocked a lot of people, Rosie O’Donnell officially moved to Ireland in January 2025. She calls it her "self-imposed exile." After the 2024 election, she decided she’d had enough of the political climate in the United States and pulled up stakes.
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Life in the Emerald Isle
She’s currently living in a stunning Georgian farmhouse near Dublin. It’s a $2.5 million property with stone walls and massive green fields—basically the exact opposite of the crowded streets of Long Island.
She isn't just hiding out, though. Rosie has been very vocal about how much she loves the "warmth" of the Irish people. She’s even started working on the local scene, appearing in an Irish sitcom and potentially eyeing a new talk show over there. She’s eligible for Irish citizenship because of her grandparents, so it looks like this move is permanent.
The Legacy of the "Queen of Nice"
Even though she’s across the Atlantic now, Rosie's identity is still tied to those New York roots.
- The Accent: She never lost it. Whether she was on The View or A League of Their Own, that Commack cadence stayed put.
- The Advocacy: Her upbringing in a large, messy family fueled her passion for adoption and foster care.
- The Resilience: You don't survive the 90s tabloid wars without that "New York tough" skin she developed as a kid.
Actionable Takeaway: How to Trace Your Own Roots
If Rosie’s journey from Long Island to Ireland inspires you, there are a few things you can do to explore your own background.
- Check your eligibility: Like Rosie, many people are eligible for "Citizenship by Descent" (especially in Ireland or Italy) if they have a grandparent born there.
- Visit the hometown: If you're ever on Long Island, drive through Commack. You can still see the high school where she was prom queen and get a feel for the suburban energy that shaped her.
- Document the stories: Rosie often credits her mother’s old record collection for her love of theater. Ask your family about the small objects that carry the most history.
Rosie O'Donnell might be an "Irish civilian" now, but she'll always be the girl from Commack who talked her way to the top.