Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen
Allen at the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors
Born	Deborah Kaye Allen (1950-01-16) January 16, 1950 (age 74) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Education	Howard University (BA)
Occupation(s)	Actress, dancer, choreographer, singer, television director, television producer
Years active	1968–present
Spouses	Win Wilford ​ (m. 1975⁠–⁠1983)​ Norm Nixon ​ (m. 1984)​
Children	3, including Vivian Nixon
Relatives	Phylicia Rashad (sister) Condola Rashad (niece)
Website	Debbie Allen Dance Academy 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. ^{[1] [2]} She has been nominated 20 times for an Emmy Award (winning five), ^[3] and two Tony Awards. ^[4] She has won a Golden Globe Award ^[5] , 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 Award for Outstanding Choreography and was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Award 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 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. ^[6] She has directed more than 50 television and film productions.

In 2001, Allen opened the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, ^{[7] [8]} 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. ^[9] 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. ^[10] She was a member of Chi Delta Mu Health Professional Fraternity. ^[11] 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. She was denied admission. A year later, Allen was given another chance and admitted by a Russian instructor who accidentally saw Allen perform in a show.^{[ citation needed ]} Once admission recruiters from the academy became aware of the situation, they allowed Allen to stay because they recognized her talent. While at the academy, she trained under Suzelle Poole.

Allen in 1983

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. Unfortunately, Allen was refused admission, and was told her body was not suited for ballet. ^{[12] [13]} After receiving numerous rejections, Allen decided to mainly focus on her academics and, from then on, was well on her way to the start of her acting career. ^[14]

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. ^[4] 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. ^[4]

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 . ^[15] 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.

With The Kids from "Fame" (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 role, 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. ^[3] 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. ^[5] She became the first Black woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series—Musical or Comedy. ^[16]

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 . ^[4] 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. ^[17]

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. ^[18] 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." ^[19] She directed a total of 83 episodes.

Allen at the Kennedy Center in 1998

Allen has released two solo albums, Sweet Charity (1986) and Special Look (1989), which also produced several singles. ^[20] 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.

In 2001, Allen founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a 501(c)3 non profit organization. ^[8] 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.

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. ^[21] She also directed and starred in the 2001 play and its television adaptation The Old Settler.

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 12th season, she served as an executive producer. ^[6] In 2020, she directed the musical film Christmas on the Square starring Dolly Parton for Netflix. ^{[22] [23]}

Awards and honors

• Allen has held the Outstanding Choreography Emmy Award record for most wins and most nominations. ^[24]
• Allen was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001 as a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. ^[25]
• 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. ^[26]
• Allen was presented with the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement, at the 1992 UCLA Spring Sing. ^[27]
• 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. ^[28]
• Allen was awarded an honorary doctorate from the North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as from her alma mater, Howard University. ^[29]
• 2020 Kennedy Center Honoree ^[30]
• On September 19, 2021, Allen received the Television Academy's 2021 Governors Award at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards. ^[31]

Personal life

Allen is married to former NBA player Norm Nixon; ^[32] 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 & Southern University), and DeVaughn Nixon. Allen was previously married to Win Wilford from 1975 to 1983. ^{[33] [34] [35]} She is the sister of actress/director/singer Phylicia Rashad (she guest starred in an episode of The Cosby Show & Rashad in an episode of In the House and also Greys 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. ^[9]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1979	The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh	Ola
1980	Fame	Lydia Grant
1981	Ragtime	Sarah
1986	Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling	Michelle
1994	Blank Check	Yvonne
1995	Out-of-Sync	Manicurist	Director and producer
1997	Amistad		Producer Producers Guild of America Visionary Award – Theatrical Motion Pictures Nominated—Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Motion Picture, Drama
2000	Everything's Jake	Librarian
2001	All About You	Ruth
2001	The Painting	Bertha Lee Gilmore	Executive producer
2005	Confessions of an Action Star	Herself / Deity
2007	Tournament of Dreams	Rhonda Dillins
2009	Next Day Air	Ms. Jackson
2009	Fame	Principal Angela Simms
2013	A Star for Rose	Rose	Producer
2020	Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker	Herself

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1976	Good Times	Diana Buchanan	Episodes: "J.J.'s Fiancée: Part 1 " and "J.J.'s Fiancée: Part 2"
1977	3 Girls 3	Herself	4 episodes
1977	The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened	Julie Sutton	Television film
1979	Roots: The Next Generations	Nan Branch Haley	Episode: "Part VI (1939–⁠1950)"
1979	Ebony, Ivory & Jade	Claire 'Ebony' Bryant	Television film
1982	Alice at the Palace	Red Queen	Television film
1979–1983	The Love Boat	Selena Moore / Reesa Marlowe	3 episodes (1979 (S02,E22); 1983 (S06,E18-E19)
1983	Women of San Quentin	Carol Freeman	Television film
1983	Live... And in Person	Herself	TV special Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
1984	Celebrity	Regina Brown	Miniseries
1985	Motown Returns to the Apollo	Herself	TV special Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
1986	An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.	Herself	TV special Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
1987	Square One Television	Herself	Season 1 Episode 10
1982–1987	Fame	Lydia Grant	Series regular, 136 episodes, also producer Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (1983) Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography (1982–⁠1983) Golden Apple Award for Female Discovery of the Year (1982) NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (1984–⁠1985) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (1982–⁠1985) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography (1984–⁠1985)
1988	The Cosby Show	Emma	Episode: "If the Dress Fits, Wear It"
1991	Quantum Leap	Joanna Chapman	Episode: "Private Dancer - October 6, 1979"
1991	Motown 30: What's Goin' On!	Herself	TV special Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
1991	Sunday in Paris	Sunday Chase	Unsold TV pilot, also executive producer
1992	64th Academy Awards	Herself	TV special Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
1992	Stompin' at the Savoy	Estelle	Television film, also director
1988–1993	A Different World	Dr. Langhorne/Herself	122 episodes, showrunner and producer
1993	65th Academy Awards	Herself	TV special Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
1995	67th Academy Awards	Herself	TV special NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Choreography in Film or Television Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
1995–1996	In the House	Jackie Warren	Series regular, 26 episodes
1996	Touched by an Angel	Valerie Hill	Episode: "Sins of the Father"
1997	Cosby	Debra	Episode: "Dating Games"
1999	71st Academy Awards	Herself	TV special Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
1999	Michael Jordan: An American Hero	Deloris Jordan	Television film
2001	The Old Settler	Quilly	Television film, also executive producer
2003	The Division	Wanda	Episode: "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"
2004	All of Us	Kate	Episode: "Parents Just Don't Understand"
2007–2014	So You Think You Can Dance	Herself - Guest Judge	21 episodes
2011	Grace	Helen Grace	Unsold TV pilot, also executive producer
2011–present	Grey's Anatomy	Dr. Catherine Avery Fox	Recurring role, also executive producer Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2014)
2013	Let's Stay Together	Cougar	Episode: "Kita's Got a Gun"
2016	Dance Moms	Herself	Episodes: "Abby's Replaceable" and "Debbie Allen to the Rescue"
2016	Jane the Virgin	Beverly Flores	Episode: "Chapter Forty-Three"
2018	Raven's Home	Aunt Maureen	Episode: "Switch or Treat"
2018–present	S.W.A.T.	Charice Harrelson	Recurring role
2020	Grace and Frankie	Dorothy	Episode: "The Short Rib"
2022–2023	The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder	Myrtie (voice)	2 episodes

Director

Year	Title	Notes
1984	Janet Jackson: Dream Street
1984–1987	Fame	11 episodes
1987	The Bronx Zoo	Episode: "Lost and Found"
1987–1989	Family Ties	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 Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
1989	Polly	Television film Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
1990	Melba Moore: Lift Every Voice and Sing
1990	The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air	Episodes: "Bang the Drum, Ashley" and "The Fresh Prince Project"
1990	Polly: Comin' Home!	Television film
1992	The Boys	Unsold TV pilot, also executive producer
1992	Stompin' at the Savoy	Television film
1991–1993	Quantum Leap	Episodes: "Revenge of the Evil Leaper - September 16, 1987" and "Private Dancer - October 6, 1979"
1993	Sinbad: Afros and Bellbottoms
1988–1993	A Different World	83 episodes, producer in 122 episodes
1993–1994	The Sinbad Show	7 episodes
1997	Between Brothers	Episodes: "The List" and "The Big Three-Oh"
1997–1998	The Jamie Foxx Show	Episode: "Soul Mate to Cellmate" and "Misery Loves Company"
1998	Linc's	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	The Twilight Zone	Episode: "The Monsters Are on Maple Street"
2003	The Parkers	Episode: "The Good, the Bad, and the Funny"
2004–2006	That's So Raven	5 episodes
2006	Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story	Television film
2006	I Was a Network Star	Documentary film
2003–2007	All of Us	44 episodes
2005–2008	Girlfriends	9 episodes
2008	The Game	Episode: "Oh, What a Night"
2006–2009	Everybody Hates Chris	10 episodes
2010–2011	Hellcats	Episodes: "Land of 1,000 Dances" and "Pledging My Love"
2010–present	Grey's Anatomy	31 episodes Also executive producer Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series [36]
2013	The Client List	Episode: "Heaven's Just a Sin Away"
2013	Army Wives	Episode: "Adjustment Period"
2013	Let's Stay Together	3 episodes
2014	Witches of East End	Episode: "Boogie Knight"
2014	How to Get Away with Murder	Episode: "He Has a Wife"
2015	Empire	Episode: "Who I Am"
2014–2015	Scandal	3 episodes
2014–2015	Jane the Virgin	Episodes: "Chapter Four" and "Chapter Twenty"
2015	Survivor's Remorse	Episode: "Guts"
2016	Insecure	Episode: "Guilty as Fuck"
2018	Step Up: High Water	Episode: "Solo"
2020	Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming
2021	The Ms. Pat Show	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

1. "Current Members". President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Archived from the original on January 16, 2005. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
2. "Debbie Allen, Culver City, California". President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. 2008. Archived from the original on January 17, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
3. "Debbie Allen". Television Academy.
4. "Debbie Allen – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
5. "Debbie Allen". www.goldenglobes.com.
6. Andreeva, Nellie (May 6, 2015). "Debbie Allen To Serve As Executive Producer/Director On 'Grey's Anatomy'".
7. Gibson, Cynthia (February 19, 2016). "Black History Profile: Debbie Allen, 'Born To Dance'". Los Angeles Wave. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
8. de Luna, Marcy (January 15, 2019). "Houston-born actress and choreographer Debbie Allen turns 69". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
9. Lawrence, Muhammad. "One-woman dynamo". The Courier-Journal , September 12, 1999
10. "HB Studio - Notable Alumni | One of the Original Acting Studios in NYC".
11. 1971 Bison Yearbook p 238
12. "Allen, Debbie (1950- ) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed". www.blackpast.org. December 6, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
13. Dunning, Jennifer (March 29, 1992). "TELEVISION; Debbie Allen Chips Away At the Glass Ceiling". The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
14. "Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com". Biography. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
15. O'Connor, John J. (30 March 1977). TV: It's Instant Stardom for '3 Girls 3', The New York Times
16. "34 Years Ago Debbie Allen Took Home a Golden Globe". BOTWC. January 8, 2017.
17. "Carrie – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
18. Darnell Hunt. "A Different World- U.S. Situation Comedy". Museum.tv. Archived from the original on February 10, 2006. Retrieved April 12, 2008.
19. "A Different World". Encyclopedia of Television. The Museum of Broadcast Communications. Archived from the original on February 10, 2006. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
20. "Special Look - Debbie Allen | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
21. Michael Billington (December 2, 2009) "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof", The Guardian
22. "Dolly Parton Is Releasing a BRAND-NEW Christmas Musical This December!". www.msn.com.
23. "Dolly Parton Is Releasing a New Christmas Movie Next Winter on Netflix". Southern Living.
24. Montgomery, Daniel (September 12, 2021). "Derek Hough ('Dancing with the Stars') wins 3rd Emmy for Best Choreography, but he's still chasing Debbie Allen in record books". Gold Derby. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
25. Transcript: Debbie Allen Archived August 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine . Tavis Smiley PBS, March 21, 2008
26. "Debbie Allen – Hollywood Walk of Fame". October 25, 2019.
27. "Calendar & Events: Spring Sing: Gershwin Award". UCLA. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
28. "The Carnival: Getting The "Groove On" For 10 Years". Hollywire.com. February 2, 2009. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
29. "Debbie Allen". Biography. August 7, 2020.
30. "Debbie Allen". Award.
31. "Primetime Emmys". Governor's Award.
32. Peter Vecsey (March 13, 2007). "BASN's Hometown Hero". blackathlete.net. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2008.
33. PEOPLE: "AND BABY MAKES FOUR". – The Dallas Morning News . – September 2, 1987.
34. Dave Mackall (May 31, 2007) "Nixon fondly remembers Duquesne". – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review .
35. Joseph Schiefelbein (October 17, 2008) "Spivery, Jaguars to begin practice", The Advocate.
36. "NAACP Image Awards 2020 Winners: The Complete List". E! Online. February 22, 2020.

External links

• Debbie Allen on Twitter
• Debbie Allen at Playbill Vault (archive)
• Debbie Allen at the Internet Broadway Database
• Debbie Allen at IMDb
• Debbie Allen at AllMovie
• Debbie Allen at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television