Debra Messing

Debra Messing

Messing in 2014
Born Debra Lynn Messing
(1968-08-15) August 15, 1968
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Alma mater Brandeis University (B.A.)
New York University (M.F.A.)
Occupation Actress
Years active 1994–present
Spouse(s) Daniel Zelman (m. 2000; div. 2016)
Children 1 son: Roman Walker Zelman

Debra Lynn Messing (born August 15, 1968) is an American actress. She is known for her many television roles, most notably her eight-year run playing Grace Adler on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace.

Following her graduation from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Messing had short-lived tenures on the Fox sitcom Ned & Stacey (1995-1997) and the ABC sci-fi Prey (1998). She rose to prominence in her role as interior designer Grace Adler on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace (1998-2006), earning both commercial and critical success throughout the series' run. She has also received acclaim for her work as Molly Kagan in the cable series The Starter Wife (2007-2008). More recently she has played Julia Houston in the musical-drama series Smash (2012-2013) and Detective Laura Diamond in the comedy The Mysteries of Laura (2014-2016), both on NBC.

Messing's film work includes A Walk in the Clouds, The Mothman Prophecies, Hollywood Ending, Along Came Polly, The Wedding Date, Lucky You, The Women, and Nothing like the Holidays. She has also voiced roles in several animated films such as Garfield and Open Season.

Throughout her career she has received six Emmy Award nominations, winning one, and eight Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, winning one. She has also received eight Golden Globe Award nominations.

Early life

Messing was born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City,[1][2] the daughter of Sandra (née Simons), who worked as a professional singer, banker, travel and real estate agent, and Brian Messing, a sales executive for a costume jewelry packaging manufacturer.[3] Messing is Jewish, and had a Bat Mitzvah ceremony; her ancestors emigrated from Poland and Russia.[4][5][6] When Messing was three, she moved with her parents and her older brother, Brett, to East Greenwich, Rhode Island.[7]

During her high school years, she acted and sang in a number of high school productions at East Greenwich High School, including the starring roles in the musicals Annie and Grease. She took lessons in dance, singing, and acting. In 1986, she was Rhode Island's Junior Miss and competed in Mobile, Alabama, in the America's Junior Miss scholarship program. While her parents encouraged her dream of becoming an actress, they also urged her to complete a liberal arts education before deciding on acting as a career. Following their advice, she attended Brandeis University, where at her parents' request three-quarters of her courses were not theater-related.[2] During her junior year, she studied theater at the prestigious London-based British European Studio Group program, an experience that consolidated her desire to act.

In 1990, after graduating summa cum laude from Brandeis with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts, Messing gained admission to the elite Graduate Acting Program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts which accepts about 15 new students annually. She earned a Master of Fine Arts after three years.[8]

Career

In 1993, Messing won acclaim for her acting in the pre-Broadway workshop production of Tony Kushner's play Angels in America: Perestroika.[1] Subsequently, she appeared in several episodes of the television series NYPD Blue during 1994 and 1995.

Messing at the Tribeca Film Festival 2009 premiere of Whatever Works

In 1995, Messing made her film debut in Alfonso Arau's A Walk in the Clouds playing the unfaithful wife of main character Paul Sutton (Keanu Reeves). This exposure led the Fox network to make her the co-star of the television sitcom, Ned & Stacey. The series lasted for two seasons, from 1995 to 1997. Messing appeared as Jerry Seinfeld's date in two episodes of the series Seinfeld: "The Wait Out" in 1996 and "The Yada Yada" in 1997. Messing turned down a starring role in another television sitcom to appear in Donald Margulies's two-character play Collected Stories, which opened at the off-Broadway Manhattan Theater Club. She also co-starred in the Tom Arnold vehicle McHale's Navy in 1997.

In 1998, Messing played a lead role as the biolanthropologist Sloan Parker on ABC's dramatic science fiction television series Prey. During this time, her agent approached her with the pilot script for the television show Will & Grace. Messing was inclined to take some time off, but the script intrigued her, and she auditioned for the role of Grace Adler, beating out Nicollette Sheridan, who later guest-starred on the show as Grace's romantic rival. Will & Grace became a ratings success, and Messing became a star.[1]

In 2002, she was named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" by People. TV Guide picked her as its "Best Dressed Woman" in 2003. And Messing's trademark curls on Will & Grace won her five Crown Awards from voters at the celebrity hair site Super-Hair.Net between 2000 and 2008.

Messing was cast by director Woody Allen in a small role in his 2002 film Hollywood Ending. Her film roles since include Richard Gere's ill-fated wife in the supernatural thriller The Mothman Prophecies (2002) and a supporting role as an unfaithful bride in Along Came Polly (2004). The Wedding Date (2005) was Messing's first leading role in a high-profile film. It received mixed reviews, but performed fairly well at the box office. Messing was featured as a judge on the season finale of the second season of Bravo's reality show, Project Runway. Also in 2005, along with Megan Mullally, she was awarded the Women in Film Lucy Award in recognition of her excellence and innovation in her creative works that have enhanced the perception of women through the medium of television[9]

Messing at the Vanity Fair Party to kick off the 8th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in 2009

She also starred in the 2007 television miniseries The Starter Wife, which was nominated for 10 Emmy awards, including one for Messing for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie. In 2008, Messing reprised her role as Molly Kagan in the television series The Starter Wife, consisting of 10 episodes.[10] In early 2010, Messing starred in the ABC comedy pilot Wright vs. Wrong for the 2010-2011 primetime season, but the pilot was not picked up by ABC.[11]

In 2011, Messing was ranked no. 22 on the TV Guide Network special, Funniest Women on TV.[12] In early 2011, it was announced that Messing would star in a new NBC musical pilot called Smash for the 2011–2012 primetime season.[13] In May 2011, it was reported that NBC picked up the show as a series for the 2011-2012 season.[14] The show premiered on February 6, 2012. The show was later renewed for a second season. After two seasons, it was cancelled.[15]

Messing appeared with Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong and Leighton Meester in Frank Whaley's drama film Like Sunday, Like Rain in 2014.

She made her Broadway debut in John Patrick Shanley's play Outside Mullingar alongside Tony winner Brían F. O'Byrne, which began previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on January 3, 2014.[16] Outside Mullingar was nominated for Best Play for the 2014 (68th Annual) Tony Awards.

Messing starred in The Mysteries of Laura, a police procedural television show that premiered in September 2014. The series lasted for two seasons and ended in 2016.

Messing has since been cast as Marjorie Houseman in the television movie remake of the 1987 film, Dirty Dancing. It will air on ABC in 2016.[17]

Personal life

Messing met Daniel Zelman, an actor and screenwriter, on their first day as graduate students at New York University in 1990. They were married on September 3, 2000, and lived in New York City. On April 7, 2004, Messing gave birth to their son, Roman Walker Zelman.[18] In December 2011, she and her husband separated after 11 years of marriage.[19] Messing filed for divorce on June 5, 2012.[20] The divorce was officially completed on March 1, 2016.[21]

Messing dated her Smash co-star Will Chase from late 2011 to 2014.[22]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Walk in the Clouds, AA Walk in the Clouds Betty Sutton
1997 McHale's Navy Lt. Penelope Carpenter
1998 Celebrity TV reporter
1999 Jesus Mary Magdalene
2002 Mothman Prophecies, TheThe Mothman Prophecies Mary Klein
2002 Hollywood Ending Lori
2004 Along Came Polly Lisa Kramer
2004 Garfield Arlene Voice only
2005 Wedding Date, TheThe Wedding Date Kat Ellis
2006 Open Season Beth Voice only
2007 Purple Violets Kate Scott
2007 Lucky You Suzanne Offer
2008 Women, TheThe Women Edie Cohen
2008 Nothing like the Holidays Sarah Rodriguez
2014 Like Sunday, Like Rain Barbara

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1994–95 NYPD Blue Dana Abandando 3 episodes
1995 Partners Stacey 1 episode
1995–97 Ned & Stacey Stacey Colbert 47 episodes
1996–97 Seinfeld Beth Lookner 2 episodes
1998 Prey Dr. Sloan Parker 13 episodes
1998–2006 Will & Grace Grace Adler 189 episodes
2002 King of the Hill Mrs. Hilgren-Bronson 1 episode
2007–08 The Starter Wife Molly Kagan 10 episodes
2009 Sesame Street Herself 1 episode
2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Alicia Harding 1 episode
2012–13 Smash Julia Houston 32 episodes
2012 Project Runway Herself/Guest judge Season 10, Episode: "I Get a Kick Out of Fashion"
2014–16 The Mysteries of Laura Detective Laura Diamond Lead role, 38 episodes
2015 Jeopardy! Herself 4 episodes
2016 Dirty Dancing[17] Marjorie Houseman TV movie, pre-production
2016 Match Game Herself 1 episode

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2000 American Comedy Award Best Female Performer in a TV Series Will & Grace Nominated
2000 Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2000 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Nominated
2000 Viewers for Quality Television Award Best Actress in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2001 American Comedy Award Best Female Performer in a TV Series Will & Grace Nominated
2001 Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2001 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Nominated
2001 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Won
2001 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2001 Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress Will & Grace Nominated
2001 TV Guide Award Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Won
2002 Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2002 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Nominated
2002 Satellite Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Won
2002 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2002 Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress Will & Grace Nominated
2003 Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Won
2003 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Nominated
2003 Satellite Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Won
2003 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2004 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Nominated
2004 Satellite Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Nominated
2004 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2004 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2005 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Nominated
2005 People's Choice Award Best Female TV Star Will & Grace Nominated
2005 People's Choice Award Best Female Comedic Star Will & Grace Nominated
2005 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2006 Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2006 Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress Will & Grace Nominated
2007 Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie The Starter Wife Nominated
2007 Satellite Award Best Actress in a Mini Series or TV Movie The Starter Wife Nominated
2008 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Mini Series or TV Movie The Starter Wife Nominated
2008 Gracie Allen Award Outstanding Female Lead in a Mini Series The Starter Wife Won
2008 Satellite Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical Nothing like the Holidays Nominated
2008 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Female Actor in a Mini Series or TV Movie The Starter Wife Nominated
2009 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical The Starter Wife Nominated
2009 Golden Raspberry Award Worst Actress The Women Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 Stated in interview on Inside the Actors Studio
  2. 1 2 Ouzounian, Richard (2012-03-09). "Debra Messing in Smash". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Debra Messing Biography (1968-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  4. ↑ "American Jewish Life Magazine". Atlantajewish.com. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  5. ↑ Pfefferman, Naomi (2002-05-02). "JewishJournal.com". JewishJournal.com. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  6. ↑ "Debra Messing: Actress - Most Beautiful, Debra Messing". People.com. 2002-05-13. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  7. ↑ Williams, Jeannie (2002-05-03). "Debra Messing yells 'Hooray!' for 'Hollywood'". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
  8. ↑ "NYU Graduate Acting Alumni". 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
  9. ↑ "Past Recipients". Wif.org. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  10. ↑ Archived October 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ "Wright vs. Wrong". 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2009-05-24. Wright vs. Wrong
  12. ↑ "Funniest Women on TV". July 3, 2011. TV Guide Network. Missing or empty |series= (help);
  13. ↑ "Debra Messing to Headline NBC's Musical Pilot - Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  14. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie. "May 11, 2011: "NBC Picks Up Whitney Cummings & Emily Spivey Pilots, 'Smash' & 'Prime Suspect'"". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  15. ↑ "It's Curtains: NBC Officially Cancels Smash". TVline. May 10, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  16. ↑ Voss, Brandon. "Gracing Broadway — Debra Messing Returns to the Stage in MTC's 'Outside Mullingar'" playbill.com, January 4, 2014
  17. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (January 14, 2016). "'Dirty Dancing' ABC Remake Casts Debra Messing, Gets Firm Green Light". Deadline. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  18. ↑ "The Debra Messing Picture Pages". Superiorpics.com. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  19. ↑ "The Finished Wife: Debra Messing and Husband Separate".
  20. ↑ Dahvi Shira (2012-06-05). "Debra Messing Files for Divorce". People Magazine.
  21. ↑ "Judge ends Debra Messing's marriage to writer-producer". The Charlotte Observer. Associated Press. March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  22. ↑ Chiu, Melody. "Debra Messing and Will Chase Split". People.
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