10 Stars Oprah Made

10 Stars Oprah Made Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential and powerful women in the world. While her self-titled, award-winning talk show is coming to a close this week after 25 seasons, this certainly doesn’t mean that’s the end of Oprah. She now has her own TV network, ‘OWN,’ which reaches about 80 million homes.

Not only does Oprah have a book club comprised of her favorite works, she’s co-authored five books and publishes two magazines. She also has a company website and her own radio channel, Oprah Radio.

Over the years, Oprah has brought numerous special guests on her show who have gone on to be famous and successful, thanks to Oprah’s endorsement. Here are 10 stars that Oprah helped bring into the spotlight:

Suze Orman Orman, the financial advisor, author and TV host got her start on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’ After appearing on Oprah’s talk show, Orman, 51, gave out one million electronic copies of her book ‘Woman and Money.’ Since then, Orman began writing an advice column for ‘O’ Magazine and also hosts her own financial advice show, ‘The Suze Orman Show.’ She also appeared on the TV show ‘Oprah’s Allstars’ back in January.

Bob Greene Exercise physiologist and fitness writer, Bob Greene has penned over ten books on weight-loss, died and heath—two of them co-written with Oprah. Greene has trained Oprah, was a frequent guest on her show over the years, contributes to ‘O’ Magazine and had a radio show on the ‘Oprah and Friends’ satellite radio network. The two are also good friends—Oprah was the ‘best woman’ at his wedding in 2005!

Dr. Phil Back in 1995, Oprah hired Dr. Phil McGraw’s legal consulting firm CSI to help her prepare her for trial in a lawsuit brought by cattle ranchers who accused her of mad-mouthing red meat. After helping her win the case in 1998, Oprah invited McGraw, 60, to appear on her show—the appearance was so successful, he became a weekly guest as a ‘Relationship and Life Strategy Expert.’

In the following four years, McGraw published three best-selling books. Then in 2002, he started his own daily advice show, ‘Dr. Phil’, which is produced by Oprah’s own Harpo Studios.

Gayle King King met Winfrey back in 1976 when she was employed as a TV production assistant at the same station in Baltimore where Oprah was an anchor. One night, when a bad snowstorm hit the city, Oprah opened her home to King so she wouldn’t have to drive back home in the show.

Since that night, the two women have remained best friends. King, 56, has worked as the editor-at-large for ‘O’ since 1999 and was also a special correspondent for ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’ Now, she hosts an hour-long radio show on ‘OWN.’

Nate Berkus This famous interior designer began as a regular guest on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’, dishing out his design advice to viewers. In 2008, he also hosted the short-lived reality show ‘Oprah’s Big Give’. Soon after Berkus, 39, made his last appearance on ‘Oprah’ in May 2010, he began hosting his own talk show, ‘The Nate Berkus Show’, which is co-produced by Harpo Studios.

Martha Beck A life coach and bestselling author, Beck has written several self-help books as well as a memoir about her past Mormon lifestyle and alleged sexual abuse from her father. Beck, 48, also came out about being gay the same time her husband did. Oprah has said of Beck, 48: “she’s one of the smartest women I know.” Beck currently writes a monthly column for ‘O’ on stress-free living.

Dr. Oz Before ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ came to fruition, the cardiothoracic surgeon was the official health expert on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ for five seasons. Then in 2009, Harpo Productions launched Dr. Oz’s own show, which he hosts and discusses medical issues and personal health. Dr. Oz, 50, also has a regular column in ‘O’ and was featured on ‘Oprah’s Allstars.’

Robin Smith Dr. Robin L. Smith, a psychologist, author and seminar speaker, got her start on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ as the resident therapist. These days, Smith hosts an inspirational call-in radio show on Oprah Radio every weekday. Partly thanks to Oprah, Smith is now one of the most sought-after speakers and relationship experts in the U.S.

Marianne Williamson One of Williamson’s first appearances was in 1992 on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ to talk about her book ‘A Return To Love.’ Williamson, 59, began to really gain public attention discussing ‘A Course In Miracles’ with Oprah—Williamson claims Ms. Winfrey gave her much of her insight.

Since then, the spiritual activist lectures about her ‘New Thought’ approach to spirituality. She has also written ten books, four of which were bestsellers. In 2004, Williamson also founded The Peace Alliance, an organization working to create a U.S. Department of Peace.

Barack Obama Many people believe that Oprah brought Barack Obama to the kind of national prominence that allowed him to run for president. She first endorsed Obama in September 2006—before he even declared his candidacy. Oprah joined him on the campaign trail beginning in 2007—some economists think that Oprah’s endorsement gained Obama over a million votes in the Democratic primaries, and that he wouldn’t have been nominated without her help. The governor of Illinois at the time was even considering offering Obama’s vacant senate seat to her.

Since then, the President and First Lady have both made appearances on Oprah’s show.