Highlights

• Rosie O'Donnell addressed rumors about Anne Heche on The Howard Stern Show, expressing regret over past interactions.
• Despite previous claims, O'Donnell clarified details of Heche's appearances on her talk show and expressed sadness over her passing.
• Anne Heche unexpectedly passed away following a tragic car crash, leaving behind a legacy of love and acceptance.

Rosie O'Donnell struck gold in the mid-90s when her daytime talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, premiered. The show would become a successful part of daytime television history. It became the go-to place for celebrities to promote their latest projects.

While being interviewed by Howard Stern, O'Donnell was asked if she was aware that she could "make or break" the guests who came on her show.

O'Donnell said that she never viewed her level of influence that way. However, she did recall one guest who did, actress Anne Heche. Heche previously gave an account of an alleged backstage encounter with O'Donnell, but the comedian insisted that wasn't true.

Rosie Told Howard Stern That Anne Heche Wasn't Truthful About Her Time On The Show

In 2022, Rosie O'Donnell appeared on The Howard Stern Show and commented on Anne Heche. The discussion turned to the deceased actress when Stern told O'Donnell she was able to "make or break" someone with her talk show.

From 1996 to 2002, The Rosie O'Donnell Show was a staple in the homes of viewers every morning. When O'Donnell responded to Stern, she insisted she never saw herself that way. However, she did say one person who did was Heche.

O'Donnell told Stern that she was "legitimately bereft" over Heche's death. Heche had visited O'Donnell's Miami home when she was dating Ellen DeGeneres. The actress also appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show twice.

"So I knew her, not really well, but in the celebrity vernacular," O'Donnell said. O'Donnell then mentioned reading Heche's memoir "Call Me Crazy," saying, "There was horribly, horribly tragic child abuse in that family."

"I always sort of felt sorry for her, so when she's dying and all that happens I’m legitimately bereft," she continued.

Heche once claimed O'Donnell threatened to "ruin [her] career" and "blackball" her if she mentioned being gay during her appearance on the show. O'Donnell claimed she learned of these comments after Heche passed.

"I'm at home listening to this and I'm in shock," O'Donnell told Stern. "I called my nephew, who does all the tapes for us, I go, 'Pull every Anne Heche interview.'"

O'Donnell said that while she didn't discuss Heche's relationship with DeGeneres during their first interview, she ended it by saying, "Nice to meet you."

"So I had never met her before then," O'Donnell said.

O'Donnell then mentioned that during Heche's second appearance, the two spoke about DeGeneres at great length. Heche claimed that she appeared on O'Donnell's show to promote Donnie Brasco, but the comedian said that was incorrect.

"She never did my show for Donnie Brasco," O'Donnell clarified. "So, she was confused, I think, about something, but the concept that she walked around feeling that about me for 20-something years kind of broke my heart a little bit."

She added, "I would've loved to have had a moment to be able to call her up and go, 'Hey, tell me what you’re talking about' -- because that was so not me, so not what I ever did.'"

Rosie Revealed She Regretted Making Fun Of Anne After Her Death

While Heche was still in a coma, O'Donnell took to TikTok to share her thoughts on the actress and her condition.

"So I can't stop thinking about this Anne Heche accident and how horrifying the whole thing is," O'Donnell said, "and feeling bad that I made fun of her when she was talking to Barbara Walters about having a relationship with space aliens."

This isn't exactly what Heche told Walters. During her interview with Walters, Heche recalled suffering from a mental illness and escaping into a "fantasy world" following memories of her father's abuse.

"I had another personality," Heche told Walters. "I called my other personality Celestia. I called the other world that I created for myself the 'fourth dimension.' I believed I was from that world. I believed I was from another planet. I think I was insane."

O'Donnell went on to say, "I wonder if she's okay. I think it's a miracle that she didn't kill anyone, and thank God, or goddess or whoever for that. And I hope she survives. But wow, what a tragic tale."

Anne Heche Unexpectedly Passed Away Following A Car Crash

Heche passed away on August 11, 2022, at the age of 53 after a serious car crash.

"Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend," her rep told People in a statement on behalf of Heche's family and friends. "Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact."

Heche was taken off life support after her rep told news outlets she wouldn't be able to survive. Heche's rep told media outlets she suffered from an anoxic brain injury. Her condition was initially described as stable, then it turned to critical.

"My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom," Heche's oldest son, Homer, told People. "After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom."

"Over those six days, thousands of friends, family, and fans made their hearts known to me," he continued. "I am grateful for their love, as I am for the support of my Dad, Coley, and my stepmom Alexi who continue to be my rock during this time. Rest In Peace Mom, I love you."

Heche's ex, Ellen DeGeneres, released a statement via Twitter after it was confirmed Heche wouldn't survive.

"This is a sad day," DeGeneres wrote. "I'm sending Anne's children, family and friends all of my love."