Debbie Allen

Played the school's principal in the feature remake of "Fame"

Directed the all-African-American Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," co-starring sister Phylicia Rashad

Was a frequent guest judge on the FOX reality dance competition, "So You Think You Can Dance"

Directed the CW sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris"; created and executive produced by Chris Rock

Directed episodes of the sitcom, "Girlfriends" (UPN, 2005-2006; The CW, 2006-2008)

Helmed several episodes of Disney Channel's "That's So Raven"

Directed episodes of "All of Us" (UPN, 2003-2006; The CW, 2006-2007); executive produced by Jada Pinkett and Will Smith

Produced and co-hosted NBC's reality dance competition, "Fame"

Staged a production of "Carmen Jones" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC

Co-starred with sister Phylicia Rashad in the PBS production of "The Old Settler"; also directed and co-produced

Returned as choreographer for the 71st Academy Awards show

Directed the musical "Brothers of the Knight" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC

Produced the Steven Spielberg-directed epic, "Amistead"

Made feature directorial debut with "Out Of Sync"

Directed the HBO special, "Sinbad Live From the Paramount"; released on video, in an expanded form, as "Afros & Bellbottoms"

Produced and directed the CBS TV-movie, "Stompin' at the Savoy"

Choreographed the 63rd through the 67th Academy Award shows

Helmed the successful pilot for "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," (NBC) starring Will Smith

Re-teamed with Phylicia Rashad to direct "Polly: Coming Home" (NBC)

Directed and choreographed the NBC TV-movie, "Polly," starring her sister Phylicia Rashad

Produced, directed, choreographed and hosted "The Debbie Allen Special" on ABC; earned Emmy nominations for directing and choreography

Joined "A Different World," (NBC) the popular spinoff from "The Cosby Show" during its second season as producer and primary director

Played the title role in the Broadway revival of "Sweet Charity"; earned a Tony Award nomination

Appeared in Richard Pryor's movie, "Jo-Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling"

Acted in the television movie, "Women of San Quentin" (NBC)

Played dance teacher Lydia Grant in the TV adaptation of "Fame" (NBC, 1982-1983; syndicated, 1983-1987); also choreographed the series

First film in a leading role, Milos Forman's feature adaptation of "Ragtime"

First introduced as Lydia Grant in the film, "Fame"

Received critical attention for playing the role of Anita in the Broadway revival of "West Side Story"; earned a Tony Award nomination

Feature acting debut, "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh"

Made miniseries debut in "Roots: The Next Generation" (ABC)

Appeared as a regular on "3 Girls 3," an NBC variety series

Early TV guest spot, "Good Times," (CBS) as Jimmy Walker's heroin-addicted girlfriend, Diana

First appeared on Broadway in "Purlie"

Made her Off-Broadway debut in "Ti-Jean and His Brothers"