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Debra Messing Profile |
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Birth Date: August 15, 1968
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Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York, USA
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Birth Name: Debra Lynn Moessing
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Height: 5'8"
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Biography |
Debra Messing was born in Brooklyn on August 15, 1968, and
raised in a quiet community just outside Providence, Rhode
Island. Messing majored in theater arts at Brandeis
University, where she received her liberal arts degree. Half
of her junior year was spent in London's prestigious
B.E.S.G.L. program. Upon graduating from Brandeis, Debra was
accepted into New York University's Graduate Acting Program
and received a master's degree in fine arts three years
later.
Messing's talents were quickly noticed when she received
praise for her performance in the pre-Broadway workshop of
Tony Kushner's award-winning play, Angels in America:
Perestroika. Debra also enjoyed success playing the role of
Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest, and she appeared
in other productions such as Four Dogs and a Bone, The Naked
Truth and Collected Stories, which was chosen as a finalist
for the Pulitzer Prize.
Debra soon moved on to television, where she starred as
Stacey for two seasons of the NBC comedy Ned and Stacey
(from 1995 to 1997), and had a recurring role on NYPD Blue
playing Dana, Gail O'Grady's sister. In 1998, Debra starred
as young bioanthropologist Dr. Sloan Parker on the
short-lived sci-fi series Prey. She also appeared as Beth on
two episodes of Seinfeld -- "The Wait Out" and "The Yada
Yada."
In the meantime, Debra was also appearing on the big screen,
in Alfonso Arau's love story A Walk in the Clouds (1995), in
which she played Keanu Reeves' wife, and in Woody Allen's
Celebrity (1998).
That same year, Debra beat out Nicollette Sheridan for the
role of neurotic interior decorator Grace Adler on NBC's
popular sitcom Will & Grace, co-starring Eric McCormack.
Debra is so good at portraying Grace that she won an Emmy
Award in 2003 as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
(she had been nominated three times before, in 2000, 2001
and 2002).
However, her award-winning role hasn't stopped her from
appearing on the big screen in movies like The Mothman
Prophecies (2002), Hollywood Ending (2002), Along Came Polly
(2004), voice work in Garfield (2004), and The Wedding Date
(2005).
In late 2005, she can add Lucky You to her resume, before
lending her voice to 2006's Open Season.
Debra is currently married to actor and writer Daniel
Zelman, with whom she had a son, Roman Walker Zelman, in
April 2004. She also spends a lot of her free time
supporting charities such as AmFAR, Gay Men's Health Crisis,
and Best Friend's Pet Sanctuary. |
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Other
Information |
Graduated from Brandeis University (Waltham, Massachusetts,
USA).
Following undergraduate training, went on to earn Master's
degree in drama from New York University.
Engaged to Daniel Zelman. [1998]
Is severely allergic to flowers and perfumes.
Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People
Magazine in 2002.
Named TV Guide's "best dressed woman" in 2003
Was Rhode Island's Junior Miss in 1986.
Gave birth to a son, Roman Walker Zelman, in Los Angeles,
weighing 5lbs 14oz. [April 7, 2004]
Beat Nicollette Sheridan for the role of Grace Adler in Will
& Grace at the final auditions
Although her son Roman is not deaf, she has taught him a few
words in sign language to make communication easier for him
until he's more able to talk.
Appeared with her "Will & Grace" (1998) co-star Shelley
Morrison in an episode of "Prey" (1998): "Revelations".
While Messing was a steady member of the cast, Morrison only
had a guest-starring role.
She has owned 3 mansions in Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus,
and Belgravia in London, England since January 1, 1986. |
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