Biography
With notable credits on stage as an actress and on TV as an actor, producer, director and choreographer, Debbie Allen has become one of the more diversified talents in TV. The career of this dynamic, award-winning singer-dancer has been an inspirational beacon to Black women in the entertainment industry. On Broadway, Allen was a fiery Anita in the 1980 revival of "West Side Story" and a high-kicking prostitute with a heart of gold in Bob …
Latest Tv Credits
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Debbie Allen SlideShow
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Career Milestones
2009 | Played the school's principal in the feature remake of "Fame" |
2008 | Directed the all-African-American Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," co-starring sister Phylicia Rashad |
2007 | Was a frequent guest judge on the FOX reality dance competition, "So You Think You Can Dance" |
2006 | Directed the CW sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris"; created and executive produced by Chris Rock |
2005 | Directed episodes of the sitcom, "Girlfriends" (UPN, 2005-2006; The CW, 2006-2008) |
2004 | Helmed several episodes of Disney Channel's "That's So Raven" |
2003 | Produced and co-hosted NBC's reality dance competition, "Fame" |
2003 | Directed episodes of "All of Us" (UPN, 2003-2006; The CW, 2006-2007); executive produced by Jada Pinkett and Will Smith |
2002 | Staged a production of "Carmen Jones" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC |
2001 | Co-starred with sister Phylicia Rashad in the PBS production of "The Old Settler"; also directed and co-produced |
1999 | Returned as choreographer for the 71st Academy Awards show |
1998 | Directed the musical "Brothers of the Knight" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC |
1997 | Produced the Steven Spielberg-directed epic, "Amistead" |
1995 | Made feature directorial debut with "Out Of Sync" |
1993 | Directed the HBO special, "Sinbad Live From the Paramount"; released on video, in an expanded form, as "Afros & Bellbottoms" |
1992 | Produced and directed the CBS TV-movie, "Stompin' at the Savoy" |
1991 | Choreographed the 63rd through the 67th Academy Award shows |
1990 | Re-teamed with Phylicia Rashad to direct "Polly: Coming Home" (NBC) |
1990 | Helmed the successful pilot for "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," (NBC) starring Will Smith |
1989 | Directed and choreographed the NBC TV-movie, "Polly," starring her sister Phylicia Rashad |
1989 | Produced, directed, choreographed and hosted "The Debbie Allen Special" on ABC; earned Emmy nominations for directing and choreography |
1988 | Joined "A Different World," (NBC) the popular spinoff from "The Cosby Show" during its second season as producer and primary director |
1986 | Played the title role in the Broadway revival of "Sweet Charity"; earned a Tony Award nomination |
1985 | Appeared in Richard Pryor's movie, "Jo-Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling" |
1983 | Acted in the television movie, "Women of San Quentin" (NBC) |
1981 | First film in a leading role, Milos Forman's feature adaptation of "Ragtime" |
1982 | Played dance teacher Lydia Grant in the TV adaptation of "Fame" (NBC, 1982-1983; syndicated, 1983-1987); also choreographed the series |
1980 | First introduced as Lydia Grant in the film, "Fame" |
1980 | Received critical attention for playing the role of Anita in the Broadway revival of "West Side Story"; earned a Tony Award nomination |
1979 | Feature acting debut, "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" |
1979 | Made miniseries debut in "Roots: The Next Generation" (ABC) |
1977 | Appeared as a regular on "3 Girls 3," an NBC variety series |
1976 | Early TV guest spot, "Good Times," (CBS) as Jimmy Walker's heroin-addicted girlfriend, Diana |
1972 | First appeared on Broadway in "Purlie" |
1972 | Made her Off-Broadway debut in "Ti-Jean and His Brothers" |
Awards
1999 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography in The 71st Annual Academy Awards Presentation |
1995 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement In Choreography in The 67th Annual Academy Awards |
1993 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement In Choreography in The 65th Annual Academy Awards |
1992 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement In Choreography in The 64th Annual Academy Awards |
1991 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Choreography in Motown 30: What's Goin' On! |
1989 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Choreography in The Debbie Allen Special |
1989 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing In a Variety or Music Program in The Debbie Allen Special |
1986 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance In a Variety or Music Program in An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. |
1985 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Choreography in Fame |
1985 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in Fame |
1985 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Music and Lyrics in Motown Returns to the Apollo |
1984 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Fame |
1984 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in Fame |
1983 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Fame |
1983 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Choreography in Fame |
1983 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in Fame |
1982 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Fame |
1982 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Choreography in Fame |
1982 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in Fame |