Debbie Allen
{{short description|American actress and dancer (born 1950)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name =
| image = DebbieAllen-byPhilipRomano.jpg
| caption = Allen in 2025
| birthname = Deborah Kaye Allen
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|01|16}}
| birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.
| occupation = Actress, dancer, choreographer, singer, television director, television producer
| yearsactive = 1968–present
| education = Howard University (BA)
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Win Wilford|1975|1983|end=divorce}}
- {{marriage|Norm Nixon|1984|}}
|2002
}}
| children = 3, including Vivian Nixon
| relatives = Phylicia Rashad (sister)
Condola Rashad (niece)
| website = {{URL|http://www.debbieallendanceacademy.com|Debbie Allen Dance Academy}}
{{URL|https://twitter.com/msdebbieallen|Debbie Allen Twitter}}
}}
Deborah Kaye Allen (born January 16, 1950) is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, singer, director, producer, and a former member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.{{cite web|title=Current Members |url=http://www.pcah.gov/currentmembers.htm |publisher=President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities |access-date=August 13, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050116013127/http://www.pcah.gov/currentmembers.htm |archive-date=January 16, 2005 }}
{{cite web|title=Debbie Allen, Culver City, California |url=http://www.pcah.gov/bios/debbie_allen.html |publisher=President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities |year=2008 |access-date=August 13, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117003910/http://www.pcah.gov/bios/debbie_allen.html |archive-date=January 17, 2009 }} She has been nominated 20 times for an Emmy Award (winning five),{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/debbie-allen|title=Debbie Allen|website=Television Academy|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525012339/https://www.emmys.com/bios/debbie-allen|url-status=live}} and two Tony Awards. She has won a Golden Globe Award,{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/debbie-allen|title=Debbie Allen|website=www.goldenglobes.com|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=May 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505083446/https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/debbie-allen|url-status=live}} and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.
Allen is best known for her work in the musical-drama television series Fame (1982–1987), where she portrayed dance teacher Lydia Grant, and served as the series' principal choreographer. For this role in 1983, she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy and two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography and was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Allen later began working as director and producer, most notably producing and directing 83 of 144 episodes of the NBC comedy series A Different World (1988–1993). She returned to acting, playing the leading role in the NBC sitcom In the House from 1995 to 1996, and in 2011, began playing Dr. Catherine Avery in the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy also serving as an executive producer/director.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/debbie-allen-greys-anatomy-executive-producer-director-1201421336/|title=Debbie Allen To Serve As Executive Producer/Director On 'Grey's Anatomy'|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|date=May 6, 2015|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729064758/https://deadline.com/2015/05/debbie-allen-greys-anatomy-executive-producer-director-1201421336/|url-status=live}} She has directed more than 50 television and film productions.
In 2001, Allen opened the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles,{{Cite web|url=http://wavenewspapers.com/black-history-profile-debbie-allen-born-to-dance/|title=Black History Profile: Debbie Allen, 'Born To Dance'|last=Gibson|first=Cynthia|date=February 19, 2016|website=Los Angeles Wave|language=en-US|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907111414/http://wavenewspapers.com/black-history-profile-debbie-allen-born-to-dance/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/life/article/Houston-born-actress-and-choreographer-Debbie-13535035.php|title=Houston-born actress and choreographer Debbie Allen turns 69|last=de Luna|first=Marcy|date=January 15, 2019|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=January 16, 2020}} where she currently teaches young dancers. She also taught choreography to former Los Angeles Lakers dancer-turned-singer, Paula Abdul. She is the younger sister of actress/director/singer Phylicia Rashad.
Early life
Allen was born in Houston, Texas, the third child of orthodontist Andrew Arthur Allen and Pulitzer Prize-nominated artist, poet, playwright, scholar, and publisher, Vivian (née Ayers) Allen.Lawrence, Muhammad. "One-woman dynamo". The Courier-Journal, September 12, 1999 She earned a B.A. degree in classical Greek literature, speech, and theater from Howard University and studied acting at HB Studio in New York City.{{Cite web|url=https://hbstudio.org/about-hb-studio/alumni/|title=HB Studio - Notable Alumni | One of the Original Acting Studios in NYC|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212150453/https://hbstudio.org/about-hb-studio/alumni/|url-status=live}} She was a member of Chi Delta Mu Health Professional Fraternity.{{Cite web |url=https://hustorage.wrlc.org/disk1/ybkflip/dhu.hua.ybk_1971/mobile/ |title=1971 Bison Yearbook p 238 |access-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513101312/https://hustorage.wrlc.org/disk1/ybkflip/dhu.hua.ybk_1971/mobile/ |url-status=live }} She holds honoris causa doctorates from Howard University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
= Challenges =
Debbie Allen auditioned at the Houston Ballet Academy at the age of twelve but was denied admission. After another chance, she was admitted a year later by a Russian instructor who accidentally saw her perform in a show.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} Once recruiters from the academy became aware of the situation, they allowed her to stay because they recognized her talent. While at the academy, she trained under Suzelle Poole.
Her experience at the Houston Ballet Academy is not the only time Allen was refused. When she was sixteen, she had a successful audition for the North Carolina School of the Arts and was given an opportunity to demonstrate dance techniques to other prospective students applying to the institution. However, she was refused admission and was told her body was not suited to ballet.{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackpast.org/aaw/allen-debbie-1950|title=Allen, Debbie (1950- ) {{!}} The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed|website=www.blackpast.org|date=December 6, 2012|language=en|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=May 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522112053/http://www.blackpast.org/aaw/allen-debbie-1950|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/29/arts/television-debbie-allen-chips-away-at-the-glass-ceiling.html|title=TELEVISION; Debbie Allen Chips Away At the Glass Ceiling|last=Dunning|first=Jennifer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 29, 1992|access-date=November 27, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610230257/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/29/arts/television-debbie-allen-chips-away-at-the-glass-ceiling.html|url-status=live}} After numerous rejections, she decided to focus on her academic studies and was on her way to the start of her acting career.{{Cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/|title=Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com|website=Biography|language=en-us|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141224205226/http://www.biography.com/people/joel-edgerton-21002231|url-status=live}}
Career
=1970–1981: Early works=
Allen began her career appearing on Broadway theatre. Allen had her Broadway debut in the chorus of Purlie in 1970.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/debbie-allen-1014#Credits|title=Debbie Allen – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB|website=www.ibdb.com|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101154839/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/debbie-allen-1014#Credits|url-status=live}} She later created the role of Beneatha in the Tony Award-winning musical Raisin (1973), and appeared in Truckload, and Ain't Misbehavin'. In 1980, she received critical attention for her performance as Anita in the Broadway revival of West Side Story which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and won her a Drama Desk Award.
In 1976, Allen made her television debut appearing in the CBS sitcom Good Times in a memorable 2-part episode titled "J.J.'s Fiancée" as J.J.'s drug-addicted fiancée, Diana. The following year, she went to star in the NBC variety show 3 Girls 3.O'Connor, John J. (March 30, 1977). [https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/30/archives/tv-its-instant-stardom-for-3-girls-3.html TV: It's Instant Stardom for '3 Girls 3'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820181237/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/30/archives/tv-its-instant-stardom-for-3-girls-3.html |date=August 20, 2020 }}, The New York Times Allen later was selected to appear in the 1979 miniseries Roots: The Next Generations by Alex Haley where she plays the wife of Haley. Also, that year, she made her big screen debut appearing in a supporting role in the comedy film The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh. In 1981, she had the important role of Sarah in the movie version of the best-selling novel Ragtime, a role that earned Audra McDonald a Tony Award for in the Broadway musical.
File:Uitbundige groep met ondermeer Danny (Carlo Imperato) (l), Debbie Allen (m) en, Bestanddeelnr 932-5469.jpg (1983). Debbie Allen is center, with sunglasses on top of her head.}}]]
=1982–1987: ''Fame''=
{{see also|The Kids from "Fame"}}
In the film Fame (1980), Allen played the role of Lydia Grant. Though the film role was relatively small, Lydia became a central figure in the television adaptation, which ran from 1982 to 1987. During the opening montage of each episode, Grant told her students: "You've got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying ... in sweat." Allen was nominated for the Emmy Award for Best Actress four times during the show's run. She is the only actress to have appeared in all three screen incarnations of Fame, playing Lydia Grant in both the 1980 film and 1982 television series and playing the school principal in the 2009 remake. Allen was also lead choreographer for the film and television series, winning two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography and one Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy. She became the first Black woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series—Musical or Comedy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/botwc-firsts/34-years-ago-debbie-allen-took-home-a-golden-globe|title=34 Years Ago Debbie Allen Took Home a Golden Globe|website=BOTWC|date=January 8, 2017|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729072416/https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/botwc-firsts/34-years-ago-debbie-allen-took-home-a-golden-globe|url-status=live}}
In 1986, Allen received a second Tony Award nomination, at that time for Best Actress in a Musical, for her performance in the title role of Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity. Also that year, she had a supporting role in the comedy-drama film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling directed, produced by and starring Richard Pryor.
=1988–present=
After Fame, Allen focused on working off-camera and as a choreographer. She choreographed the 1988 Broadway adaptation of Stephen King's “Carrie.” Carrie was a collaboration with her fellow “Fame” alumni Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford, and Gene Anthony Ray. The show opened to mixed reviews and closed after only 16 previews and 5 performances.{{Cite web |title=Carrie – Broadway Musical – Original {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/carrie-4508 |access-date=July 31, 2023 |website=www.ibdb.com |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731130753/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/carrie-4508 |url-status=live }}
== A Different World ==
In an article from the Museum of Broadcast Communications, The Hollywood Reporter commented on Allen's impact as the producer-director of the television series, A Different World. The show dealt with the lives of students at the fictional historically black college, Hillman. The show ran for six seasons on NBC.{{cite web|url=http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/differentwor/differentwor.htm |title=A Different World- U.S. Situation Comedy |publisher=Museum.tv |author=Darnell Hunt |access-date=April 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210085528/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/differentwor/differentwor.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2006 |author-link=Darnell Hunt }} The Hollywood Reporter is quoted as stating that when Debbie Allen became the producer (and usually director) of A Different World after the first season, she transformed it "from a bland Cosby spin-off into a lively, socially responsible, ensemble situation comedy."{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/differentwor/differentwor.htm |title=A Different World |publisher=The Museum of Broadcast Communications |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Television |access-date=November 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210085528/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/differentwor/differentwor.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2006 }} She directed a total of 83 episodes.
File:Debbie Allen 1998.jpg in 1998]]
== Singing and choreographing ==
Allen has released two solo albums, Sweet Charity (1986) and Special Look (1989), which also produced several singles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/special-look-mw0000205693|title=Special Look - Debbie Allen | Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729040517/https://www.allmusic.com/album/special-look-mw0000205693|url-status=live}} Also that year, she directed musical film Polly. She later directed crime drama film Out-of-Sync (1995) as well as a number of television films. She choreographed The Academy Awards Show for ten years, six of which were consecutive. In 1995, Allen directed the voice cast and lent her voice to the children's animated series C Bear and Jamal for Film Roman and Fox Kids. That same year, she starred in the NBC sitcom In the House which ran for five seasons. She co-produced the 1997 Steven Spielberg historical drama film Amistad receiving a Producers Guild of America Award.
== Debbie Allen Dance Academy and <i>So You Think You Can Dance</i> ==
In 2001, Allen founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Since 2007, Allen has participated as a judge and mentor for the U.S. version of So You Think You Can Dance. During Season 4, she stepped aside as a judge at the end of Vegas week to avoid perception of bias, since one of her former dancers, Will, had made it to the top 20.
== <i>Cat on a Hot Tin Roof</i> ==
In 2008, Allen directed the all-African-American Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, starring stage veterans James Earl Jones (Big Daddy), her sister Phylicia Rashad (Big Mama) and Anika Noni Rose (Maggie the Cat), as well as film actor Terrence Howard, who made his Broadway debut as Brick. The production, with some roles recast, had a limited run (2009 – April 2010) in London.Michael Billington (December 2, 2009) [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/dec/02/cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-billington "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043636/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/dec/02/cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-billington |date=December 1, 2017 }}, The Guardian She also directed and starred in the 2001 play and its television adaptation The Old Settler.
== Television director and <i>Grey's Anatomy</i> ==
In 2000s and 2010s, Allen directed television shows, including 44 episodes of All of Us, as well as Girlfriends, Everybody Hates Chris, How to Get Away with Murder, Empire, Scandal and Jane the Virgin. In 2011, she joined the cast of ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy playing the role of Dr. Catherine Fox. As of the 12th season, she served as an executive producer. In 2020, she directed the musical film Christmas on the Square starring Dolly Parton for Netflix.{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/dolly-parton-is-releasing-a-brand-new-christmas-musical-this-december/ar-BB10O30N|title=Dolly Parton Is Releasing a BRAND-NEW Christmas Musical This December!|website=www.msn.com|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729050231/https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/dolly-parton-is-releasing-a-brand-new-christmas-musical-this-december/ar-BB10O30N|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.southernliving.com/news/dolly-parton-new-christmas-movie-netflix-next-winter|title=Dolly Parton Is Releasing a New Christmas Movie Next Winter on Netflix|website=Southern Living|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729040757/https://www.southernliving.com/news/dolly-parton-new-christmas-movie-netflix-next-winter|url-status=live}}
Awards and honors
- Allen has held the Outstanding Choreography Emmy Award record for most wins and most nominations.{{cite web|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2021/derek-hough-dancing-with-the-stars-emmy-best-choreography/|title=Derek Hough ('Dancing with the Stars') wins 3rd Emmy for Best Choreography, but he's still chasing Debbie Allen in record books|accessdate=December 10, 2023|date=September 12, 2021|author=Montgomery, Daniel|work=Gold Derby|archive-date=December 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210160100/https://www.goldderby.com/article/2021/derek-hough-dancing-with-the-stars-emmy-best-choreography/|url-status=live}}
- Allen was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001 as a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.Transcript: [https://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200803/20080321_allen.html Debbie Allen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801084517/http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200803/20080321_allen.html |date=August 1, 2008 }}. Tavis Smiley PBS, March 21, 2008
- For her contributions to the television industry, Debbie Allen was honored in 1991 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6904 Hollywood Boulevard in the center of Hollywood directly opposite the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center.{{cite web| title =Debbie Allen – Hollywood Walk of Fame| date =October 25, 2019| url =http://www.walkoffame.com/debbie-allen| access-date =February 25, 2018| archive-date =February 25, 2018| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180225212354/http://www.walkoffame.com/debbie-allen| url-status =live}}
- Allen was presented with the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement, at the 1992 UCLA Spring Sing.{{cite web | title = Calendar & Events: Spring Sing: Gershwin Award | publisher = UCLA | url = http://www.uclalumni.net/CalendarEvents/springsing/Gershwin/winners.cfm | access-date = May 27, 2009 | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927221758/http://www.uclalumni.net/calendarevents/springsing/Gershwin/winners.cfm | url-status = usurped }}
- Three-time Emmy Award winner for Choreography for the series Fame and The Motown 25th Anniversary Special.
- 10 Image Awards as a director, actress, choreographer, and producer for Fame, A Different World, Motown 25, The Academy Awards, The Debbie Allen Special and Amistad.
- On February 4, 2009, Debbie Allen was honored for her contributions to dance and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Nia Peeples at The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball 10th anniversary show.{{cite web|date=February 2, 2009|title=The Carnival: Getting The "Groove On" For 10 Years|url=http://www.hollywire.com/uncategorized/the-carnival-getting-the-groove-on-for-10-years|work=Hollywire.com|access-date=July 5, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321095025/http://www.hollywire.com/uncategorized/the-carnival-getting-the-groove-on-for-10-years|archive-date=March 21, 2012}}
- Allen was awarded an honorary doctorate from the North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as from her alma mater, Howard University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/actor/debbie-allen|title=Debbie Allen|website=Biography|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229222025/https://www.biography.com/actor/debbie-allen|url-status=live}}
- 2020 Kennedy Center Honoree{{Cite web|url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/a/aa-an/debbie-allen/|title=Debbie Allen|website=Award|access-date=June 8, 2021|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120103029/https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/a/aa-an/debbie-allen/|url-status=live}}
- On September 19, 2021, Allen received the Television Academy's 2021 Governors Award at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/governors-award|title=Primetime Emmys|website=Governor's Award|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922183328/https://www.emmys.com/awards/governors-award|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Allen is married to former NBA player Norm Nixon;{{cite web|url=http://www.blackathlete.net/artman/publish/article_03035.shtml |title=BASN's Hometown Hero |author=Peter Vecsey |publisher=blackathlete.net |date=March 13, 2007 |access-date=April 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211142511/http://www.blackathlete.net/artman/publish/article_03035.shtml |archive-date=December 11, 2007 |url-status=usurped }} the couple has three children: dancer Vivian Nichole Nixon (who played Kalimba in the Broadway production of Hot Feet), basketball player Norman Ellard Nixon Jr. (Wofford College and Southern University), and DeVaughn Nixon. Allen was previously married to Win Wilford from 1975 to 1983.PEOPLE: "AND BABY MAKES FOUR". – The Dallas Morning News. – September 2, 1987.Dave Mackall (May 31, 2007) "Nixon fondly remembers Duquesne". – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.Joseph Schiefelbein (October 17, 2008) "Spivery, Jaguars to begin practice", The Advocate. She is the sister of actress/director/singer Phylicia Rashad (she guest starred in an episode of The Cosby Show and Rashad in an episode of In the House and also Grey's Anatomy), Tex Allen (Andrew Arthur Allen III, born 1945), a jazz composer, and Hugh W. Allen, a real estate banker, who appeared on three episodes of A Different World as Quincy Tolleson.
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1979
|The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh |Ola | |
| 1980
|Fame |Lydia Grant | |
| 1981
|Sarah | |
| 1986
|Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling |Michelle | |
| 1994
|Yvonne | |
| 1995
|Manicurist |Director and producer |
| 1997
| |Producer |
| 2000
|Librarian | |
| 2001
|Ruth | |
| 2001
|The Painting |Bertha Lee Gilmore |Executive producer |
| 2005
|Confessions of an Action Star |Herself / Deity | |
| 2007
|Tournament of Dreams |Rhonda Dillins | |
| 2009
|Ms. Jackson | |
| 2009
| Fame | Principal Angela Simms | |
| 2013
|A Star for Rose |Rose |Producer |
| 2020
|Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker |Herself | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1976
|Diana Buchanan |Episodes: "J.J.'s Fiancée: Part 1 " and "J.J.'s Fiancée: Part 2" |
| 1977
|Herself |4 episodes |
| 1977
|The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened |Julie Sutton |Television film |
| 1979
|Nan Branch Haley |Episode: "Part VI (1939–1950)" |
| 1979
|Claire 'Ebony' Bryant |Television film |
| 1982
|Alice at the Palace |Television film |
| 1979–1983
|Selena Moore / Reesa Marlowe |3 episodes (1979 (S02,E22); 1983 (S06,E18-E19) |
| 1983
|Carol Freeman |Television film |
| 1983
|Live... And in Person |Herself |TV special |
| 1984
|Regina Brown |Miniseries |
| 1985
|Motown Returns to the Apollo |Herself |TV special |
| 1986
|An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. |Herself |TV special |
| 1987
|Herself |Season 1 Episode 10 |
| 1982–1987
|Fame |Lydia Grant |Series regular, 136 episodes, also producer |
| 1988
|Emma |Episode: "If the Dress Fits, Wear It" |
| 1991
|Joanna Chapman |Episode: "Private Dancer - October 6, 1979" |
| 1991
|Motown 30: What's Goin' On! |Herself |TV special |
| 1991
|Sunday in Paris |Sunday Chase |Unsold TV pilot, also executive producer |
| 1992
|Herself |TV special |
| 1992
|Stompin' at the Savoy |Estelle |Television film, also director |
| 1988–1993
|Dr. Langhorne/Herself |122 episodes, showrunner and producer |
| 1993
|Herself |TV special |
| 1995
|Herself |TV special |
| 1995–1996
|Jackie Warren |Series regular, 26 episodes |
| 1996
|Valerie Hill |Episode: "Sins of the Father" |
| 1997
|Debra |Episode: "Dating Games" |
| 1999
|Herself |TV special |
| 1999
|Michael Jordan: An American Hero |Deloris Jordan |Television film |
| 2001
|The Old Settler |Quilly |Television film, also executive producer |
| 2003
|Wanda |Episode: "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" |
| 2004
|Kate |Episode: "Parents Just Don't Understand" |
| 2007–2014
|Herself - Guest Judge |21 episodes |
| 2011
|Grace |Helen Grace |Unsold TV pilot, also executive producer |
| 2011–present
|Dr. Catherine Avery Fox |Recurring role, also executive producer |
| 2013
| Cougar |Episode: "Kita's Got a Gun" |
| 2016
|Herself |Episodes: "Abby's Replaceable" and "Debbie Allen to the Rescue" |
| 2016
|Beverly Flores |Episode: "Chapter Forty-Three" |
| 2018
|Aunt Maureen |Episode: "Switch or Treat" |
| 2018–present
|Charice Harrelson |Recurring role |
| 2020
|Dorothy |Episode: "The Short Rib" |
| 2022–2023
|The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder |Myrtie (voice) |2 episodes |
=Director=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Notes |
|---|
| 1984
| |
| 1984–1987
|Fame |11 episodes |
| 1987
|Episode: "Lost and Found" |
| 1987–1989
|Episodes: "The Play's the Thing" and "Higher Love" |
| 1989
|The Debbie Allen Special |Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series |
| 1989
|Television film |
| 1990
|Melba Moore: Lift Every Voice and Sing | |
| 1990
|Episodes: "Bang the Drum, Ashley" and "The Fresh Prince Project" |
| 1990
|Television film |
| 1992
|The Boys |Unsold TV pilot, also executive producer |
| 1992
|Stompin' at the Savoy |Television film |
| 1991–1993
|Episodes: "Revenge of the Evil Leaper - September 16, 1987" and "Private Dancer - October 6, 1979" |
| 1993
|Sinbad: Afros and Bellbottoms | |
| 1988–1993
|83 episodes, producer in 122 episodes |
| 1993–1994
|7 episodes |
| 1997
|Episodes: "The List" and "The Big Three-Oh" |
| 1997–1998
|Episode: "Soul Mate to Cellmate" and "Misery Loves Company" |
| 1998
|Episode: "March on Washington: Part 1" |
| 1998
|Martin Luther King Special One Day |Television film, also executive producer |
| 1999
|Kirk Franklin: The Nu Nation Tour | |
| 2001
|The Old Settler |Television film, also executive producer |
| 2002
|Cool Women |Nominated—Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Directing |
| 2003
|Episode: "The Monsters Are on Maple Street" |
| 2003
|Episode: "The Good, the Bad, and the Funny" |
| 2004–2006
|5 episodes |
| 2006
|Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story |Television film |
| 2006
|I Was a Network Star |Documentary film |
| 2003–2007
|44 episodes |
| 2005–2008
|9 episodes |
| 2008
|Episode: "Oh, What a Night" |
| 2006–2009
|10 episodes |
| 2010–2011
|Episodes: "Land of 1,000 Dances" and "Pledging My Love" |
| 2010–present
| 31 episodes |
| 2013
|Episode: "Heaven's Just a Sin Away" |
| 2013
|Episode: "Adjustment Period" |
| 2013
|3 episodes |
| 2014
|Episode: "Boogie Knight" |
| 2014
|Episode: "He Has a Wife" |
| 2015
|Episode: "Who I Am" |
| 2014–2015
|3 episodes |
| 2014–2015
|Episodes: "Chapter Four" and "Chapter Twenty" |
| 2015
|Episode: "Guts" |
| 2016
|Episode: "Guilty as Fuck" |
| 2018
|Episode: "Solo" |
| 2020
|Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square |Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie |
| 2021
|Episode: "Pilot: Duck" |
=Writer=
- Movement magazine, regular columnist since 2006
- Dancing in the Wings paperback, by Debbie Allen (Author), Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)
= Discography =
- Special Look (1989)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Twitter}}
- {{Playbill person|debbie-allen-vault-0000004343}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120314081919/http://www.playbillvault.com/Person/Detail/4343/Debbie-Allen archive])
- {{IBDB name|1014}}
- {{IMDb name|0000739}}
- {{EmmyTVLegends name|debbie-allen}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Debbie Allen
|list =
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Directing, Comedy Series}}
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Director, TV Movie or Limited Series}}
{{DramaDesk MusicalOutstandingFeaturedActress 1975-1999}}
{{EmmyAward Choreography}}
{{EmmyAward GovernorsAward}}
{{GoldenGlobeBestActressTVComedy 1969-1989}}
{{Kennedy Center Honorees 2020s}}
{{2022 Television Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, Debbie}}
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