Debbie Allen Bio | Wiki
Debbie Allen ( Full Name: Deborah Kaye Allen) is a preeminent American producer, director, singer-songwriter, choreographer, dancer, actress, and a former member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991. Furthermore, Debbie has also earned a Golden Globe Award and has been selected 20 times for an Emmy Award (winning five) and two Tony Awards.
She is best known for her work in the musical-drama television series Fame (1982-1987). Here, Debbie portrayed dance teacher Lydia Grant. She also served as the series’ principal choreographer. Later, Debbie started working as a director and producer, most notably producing and directing 83 of 144 episodes of the NBC comedy series A Different World (1988-1993). She came back to acting in 1995 playing the leading role up to 1996 in In the House, an NBC sitcom.
Debbie started playing Dr. Catherine Avery in 2011 in the ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy also serving as a director and an executive producer. She has directed more than fifty film and tv productions. She also opened the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in 2001 located in Los Angeles. There, Debbie presently teaches young dancers. She also taught choreography to Paula Abdul, the former Los Angeles Lakers dancer-turned-singer.
Debbie Allen Age
She was born on January 16, 1950, in Houston, Texas, United States. Debbie is 72 years old.
Debbie Allen Height
She is a woman of average stature. Debbie stands at a height of 5 ft 2 in (Approx 1.57m).
Debbie Allen Family | Parents | Sister | Siblings | Young | Phylicia Rashad
She was born to Andrew Arthur Allen and Vivian (née Ayers) Allen in Houston, Texas, United States. Andrew was an orthodontist. On the other hand, Vivian was a Pulitzer Prize-nominated artist, poet, scholar, playwright, and publisher. Besides, Debbie is the younger sister of Phylicia Rashad, a singer, actress, and director.
Debbie Allen Husband | Norm Nixon
She is a married woman. Debbie is blissfully hitched to her loving husband called Norm Nixon. He is a former NBA player. As a couple, they got married in 1984. Together, they commemorate 40 years anniversary. Previously, she was married to Win Wilford from 1975 to 1983.
Debbie Allen Daughter | Son
She is a proud mother of three children called Vivian Nichole Nixon, DeVaughn Nixon, and Norman Ellard Nixon Jr. Vivian is a dancer. She played Kalimba in the Broadway production of Hot Feet. Furthermore, Norman is a basketball player.
Debbie Allen Education
She attended Jack Yates Senior High School in Houston, Texas, and graduated in 1967. Later, Debbie matriculated at Howard University and graduated cum laude in 1971 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Classical Greek Literature, Speech, and Theater.
Debbie Allen Dancer | Dancing | Dance Academy
She founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in 2001. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Furthermore, she has participated as a judge and mentor for the U.S. version of So You Think You Can Dance since 2007. To avoid the perception of bias, Debbie had to step aside at the end of Vegas week in Season 4. Additionally, she was honored for her contributions to dance on February 4, 2009, and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Nia Peeples at The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball 10th anniversary show.
Debbie Allen Grey’s Anatomy
She started playing Dr. Catherine Avery in the ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. Debbie also serves as a director and an executive producer. On March 27, 2005, the American medical drama television series debuted on ABC as a mid-season replacement. Furthermore, Grey’s Anatomy focuses on the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they develop into seasoned doctors.
Debbie Allen A Different World
She portrayed Dr. Langhorne/Herself from 1988 to 1993 in the American sitcom television series, A Different World. From September 24, 1987, to July 9, 1993, the series aired for six seasons on NBC. Furthermore, A Different World is a spin-off of The Cosby Show and stars an ensemble cast including Karen Malina White, Jada Pinkett Smith, Ajai Sanders, Lou Myers, Glynn Turman, Cree Summer, Charnele Brown, Sinbad, Darryl M. Bell, Mary Alice, Dawnn Lewis, Loretta Devine, Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Marisa Tomei (season 1), and Lisa Bonet (season 1).
Debbie Allen Good Times
She made her television debut appearing in the CBS sitcom Good Times in 1976 as J.J.’s drug-addicted fiancée, Diana in a memorable 2-part episode titled J.J.’s Fiancée. From February 8, 1974, to August 1, 1979, the American television sitcom aired for six seasons on CBS. Moreover, Good Times stars an ensemble cast including Ben Powers, Janet Jackson, Johnny Brown, Jimmie Walker, Bern Nadette Stanis, Ralph Carter, Ja’Net DuBois, John Amos, and Esther Rolle.
Debbie Allen Movies And TV Shows
Filmography
Film
- The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979) as Ola
- Fame (1980) as Lydia Grant
- Ragtime (1981) as Sarah
- Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986) as Michelle
- Blank Check (1994) as Yvonne
- Out-of-Sync (1995) as a Manicurist
- Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker (2020) as Herself
- A Star for Rose (2013) as Rose
- Fame (2009) as Principal Angela Simms
- Next Day Air (2009) as Ms. Jackson
- Tournament of Dreams (2007) as Rhonda Dillins
Television
- Good Times (1976) as Diana Buchanan
- 3 Girls 3 (1977) as Herself
- The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened (1977) as Julie Sutton
- Roots: The Next Generations (1979) as Nan Branch Haley
- Ebony, Ivory & Jade (1979) as Claire ‘Ebony’ Bryant
- Alice at the Palace (1982) as Red Queen
- Grace and Frankie (2020) as Dorothy
- S.W.A.T. (2018-present) as Charice Harrelson
- Raven’s Home (2018) as Aunt Maureen
- Jane the Virgin (2016) as Beverly Flores
- Dance Moms (2016) as Herself
- Let’s Stay Together (2013) as Cougar
Debbie Allen Net Worth
Having been working as an actress, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, director, and producer for a total of more than five decades now, she has managed to garner good affluence in her career thus far. Online resources estimate Debbie’s net worth to be $34,443,334.
Who Is Debbie Allen
She is a 72-year-old preeminent American producer, director, singer-songwriter, choreographer, dancer, actress, and a former member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991. Furthermore, Debbie has also earned a Golden Globe Award and has been selected twenty times for an Emmy Award (winning five) and two Tony Awards.
How Old Is Debbie Allen
She is 72 years old. Debbie was born on January 16, 1950, in Houston, Texas, United States. Thus, she relishes and commemorates her birthday on January 16 each and every year.