Editing 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]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Win Wilford|1975|1983|end=divorce}}
* {{marriage|[[Norm Nixon]]|1984|}}
|2002
}}
| children           = 3, including [[Vivian Nixon]]
| relatives          = [[Phylicia Rashad]] (sister)<br/> [[Condola Rashad]] (niece)
| website            = {{URL|http://www.debbieallendanceacademy.com|Debbie Allen Dance Academy}}<br>{{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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>
{{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 }}</ref> She has been nominated 20 times for an [[Emmy Award]] (winning five),<ref name=emmys>{{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}}</ref> and two [[Tony Award]]s.<ref name=tonyaw/> She has won a [[Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Award]],<ref name="auto">{{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}}</ref> 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 TV 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|Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography]] and was nominated for four [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series|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 (TV series)|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.<ref name="auto1">{{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}}</ref> She has directed more than 50 television and film productions.

In 2001, Allen opened the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles,<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="deLuna2019">{{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}}</ref> 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|Houston, Texas]], the third child of orthodontist Andrew Arthur Allen and [[Pulitzer Prize]]-nominated artist, poet, playwright, scholar, and publisher, [[Vivian Ayers Allen|Vivian (née Ayers) Allen]].<ref name="LawrenceM-CJ-1999-09-12">Lawrence, Muhammad. "One-woman dynamo". ''[[The Courier-Journal]]'', September 12, 1999</ref> She earned a [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] degree in classical [[Greek literature]], speech, and theater from [[Howard University]] and studied acting at [[HB Studio]] in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hbstudio.org/about-hb-studio/alumni/|title=HB Studio - Notable Alumni &#124; 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}}</ref> She was a member of [[Chi Delta Mu]] Health Professional Fraternity.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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's Ben Stevenson Academy|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]].

[[File:Debbie Allen 1983.jpg|thumb|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. However, she was refused admission and was told her body was not suited to ballet.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> After numerous rejections, she decided to focus on her academic studies and was on her way to the start of her acting career.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Career==
===1970–1981: Early works===
Allen began her career appearing on [[Broadway theatre]]. Allen had her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in the chorus of ''[[Purlie]]'' in 1970.<ref name=tonyaw>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/debbie-allen-1014#Credits|title=Debbie Allen – Broadway Cast & Staff &#124; 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}}</ref> She later created the role of Beneatha in the Tony Award-winning musical ''[[Raisin (musical)|Raisin]]'' (1973), and appeared in ''Truckload'', and ''[[Ain't Misbehavin' (musical)|Ain't Misbehavin']]''. In 1980, she received critical attention for her performance as Anita in the Broadway revival of ''[[West Side Story (musical)|West Side Story]]'' which earned her a [[Tony Award]] nomination for [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical|Best Featured Actress in a Musical]] and won her a [[Drama Desk Award]].<ref name=tonyaw/>

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]]''.<ref name="3girlsnytimes1">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]]''</ref> 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 [[Ragtime (film)|movie version]] of the best-selling novel ''[[Ragtime (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|thumb|250px|{{center|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 film)|''Fame'']] (1980), Allen played the role of Lydia Grant. Though the film role was relatively small, Lydia became a central figure in the [[Fame (1982 TV series)|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 [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series|Emmy Award for Best Actress]] four times during the show's run.<ref name=emmys/> 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 [[Fame (2009 film)|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]].<ref name="auto"/> She became the first Black woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series—Musical or Comedy.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

In 1986, Allen received a second Tony Award nomination, at that time for [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]], for her performance in the title role of [[Bob Fosse]]'s ''[[Sweet Charity]]''.<ref name=tonyaw/> 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 (musical)|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

==== 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 colleges and universities|historically black college]], Hillman. The show ran for six seasons on [[NBC]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> ''[[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."<ref name="museum">{{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 }}</ref> She directed a total of 83 episodes.

[[File:Debbie Allen 1998.jpg|thumb|Allen at the [[Kennedy Center]] in 1998]]

==== Singing and choreographing ====

Allen has released two solo albums, ''Sweet Charity'' (1986) and  ''Special Look'' (1989), which also produced several singles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/special-look-mw0000205693|title=Special Look - Debbie Allen &#124; 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}}</ref> Also that year, she directed musical film ''[[Polly (film)|Polly]]''. She later directed crime drama film ''[[Out-of-Sync]]'' (1995) as well as a number of television films. She choreographed ''The [[Academy Award]]s 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 (TV series)|In the House]]'' which ran for five seasons. She co-produced the 1997 [[Steven Spielberg]] historical drama film ''[[Amistad (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.<ref name="deLuna2019" /> Since 2007, Allen has participated as a judge and mentor for the U.S. version of ''[[So You Think You Can Dance (American TV series)|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.<ref>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''</ref> 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 (2000 TV series)|Girlfriends]]'', ''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]'', ''[[How to Get Away with Murder]]'', ''[[Empire (2015 TV series)|Empire]]'', ''[[Scandal (American TV series)|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.<ref name="auto1"/> In 2020, she directed the musical film ''[[Christmas on the Square]]'' starring [[Dolly Parton]] for Netflix.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Awards and honors==
* Allen has held the Outstanding Choreography Emmy Award record for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography#Choreographers with multiple wins|most wins and most nominations]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* Allen was appointed by President [[George W. Bush]] in 2001 as a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.<ref name="TS-2008-03-21">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]]'' [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]], March 21, 2008</ref>
* 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 and Highland Center|Hollywood & Highland Center]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* Allen was presented with the [[UCLA Spring Sing#The George and Ira Gershwin Award|George and Ira Gershwin Award]] for Lifetime Musical Achievement, at the 1992 [[UCLA Spring Sing]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
* 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 (film)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* Allen was awarded an honorary doctorate from the [[North Carolina School of the Arts]], as well as from her ''alma mater'', [[Howard University]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* 2020 [[Kennedy Center Honor]]ee<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* On September 19, 2021, Allen received the Television Academy's 2021 Governors Award at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Allen is married to former NBA player [[Norm Nixon]];<ref>{{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  }}</ref> the couple has three children: dancer [[Vivian Nixon|Vivian Nichole Nixon]] (who played Kalimba in the [[Broadway theatre|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.<ref>PEOPLE: "AND BABY MAKES FOUR". – ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]''. – September 2, 1987.</ref><ref>Dave Mackall (May 31, 2007) "Nixon fondly remembers Duquesne". – ''[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]''.</ref><ref>Joseph Schiefelbein (October 17, 2008) "Spivery, Jaguars to begin practice", [[The Advocate (Baton Rouge)|''The Advocate'']].</ref> 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 (TV series)|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.<ref name="LawrenceM-CJ-1999-09-12" />

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year 
! Title
! Role 
! Notes
|-
|1979
|''[[The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh]]''
|Ola
|
|-
|1980
|''[[Fame (1980 film)|Fame]]''
|Lydia Grant
|
|-
|1981
|''[[Ragtime (film)|Ragtime]]''
|Sarah
|
|-
|1986
|''[[Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling]]''
|Michelle
|
|-
|1994
|''[[Blank Check (film)|Blank Check]]''
|Yvonne
|
|-
|1995
|''[[Out-of-Sync]]''
|Manicurist
|Director and producer 
|-
|1997
|''[[Amistad (film)|Amistad]]''
|
|Producer<br>[[9th Golden Laurel Awards|Producers Guild of America Visionary Award – Theatrical Motion Pictures]]<br>Nominated—[[Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture]]<br>Nominated—[[Satellite Award for Best Film|Satellite Award for Best Motion Picture, Drama]]
|-
|2000
|''[[Everything's Jake]]''
|Librarian
|
|-
|2001
|''[[All About You (film)|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 (2009 film)|''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
|''[[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 (Through the Looking-Glass)|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<br>Nominated—[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program]]
|-
|1984
|''[[Celebrity (American TV series)|Celebrity]]''
|Regina Brown
|Miniseries
|-
|1985
|''Motown Returns to the Apollo''
|Herself 
|TV special<br>Nominated—[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics]]
|-
|1986
|''An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.''
|Herself
|TV special<br>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 (1982 TV series)|Fame]]''
|Lydia Grant 
|Series regular, 136 episodes, also producer<br>[[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy]] (1983)<br>[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography]] (1982–1983)<br>[[Golden Apple Award|Golden Apple Award for Female Discovery of the Year]] (1982)<br>[[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series]]<br>Nominated—[[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy]] (1984–1985)<br>Nominated—[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series]] (1982–1985)<br>Nominated—[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography]] (1984–1985)
|-
|1988
|''[[The Cosby Show]] ''
|Emma
|Episode: "If the Dress Fits, Wear It"
|-
|1991
|''[[Quantum Leap (1989 TV series)|Quantum Leap]]''
|Joanna Chapman
|Episode: "Private Dancer - October 6, 1979"
|-
|1991
|''Motown 30: What's Goin' On!''
|Herself 
|TV special<br>[[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<br>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<br>Nominated—[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography]]
|-
|1995
|''[[67th Academy Awards]]''
|Herself 
|TV special<br>[[NAACP Image Awards|NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Choreography in Film or Television]]<br>Nominated—[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography]]
|-
|1995–1996
|''[[In the House (TV series)|In the House]]''
|Jackie Warren
|Series regular, 26 episodes 
|-
|1996
|''[[Touched by an Angel]]''
|Valerie Hill
|Episode: "Sins of the Father"
|-
|1997
|''[[Cosby (TV series)|Cosby]]''
|Debra
|Episode: "Dating Games"
|-
|1999
|''[[71st Academy Awards]]''
|Herself 
|TV special<br>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 (American TV series)|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<br>Nominated—[[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] (2014)
|-
|2013
|''[[Let's Stay Together (TV series)|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. (2017 TV series)|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===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Notes
|-
|1984
|''[[Dream Street (song)|Janet Jackson: Dream Street]]''
|
|-
|1984–1987
|''[[Fame (1982 TV series)|Fame]]''
|11 episodes
|-
|1987
|''[[The Bronx Zoo (TV series)|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]]<br>Nominated—[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography]]
|-
|1989
|''[[Polly (film)|Polly]]''
|Television film<br>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 (1989 TV series)|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
|''[[The Nu Nation Project|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 (2002 TV series)|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
|''[[The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale|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 (2000 TV series)|Girlfriends]]''
|9 episodes
|-
|2008
|''[[The Game (American TV series)|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 <br> Also executive producer<br>Nominated—[[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1125221/naacp-image-awards-2020-winners-the-complete-list|title=NAACP Image Awards 2020 Winners: The Complete List|date=February 22, 2020|website=E! Online|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=February 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223205334/https://www.eonline.com/news/1125221/naacp-image-awards-2020-winners-the-complete-list|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|2013
|''[[The Client List (TV series)|The Client List]]''
|Episode: "Heaven's Just a Sin Away"
|-
|2013
|''[[Army Wives]]''
|Episode: "Adjustment Period"
|-
|2013
|''[[Let's Stay Together (TV series)|Let's Stay Together]]''
|3 episodes
|-
|2014
|''[[Witches of East End (TV series)|Witches of East End]]''
|Episode: "Boogie Knight"
|-
|2014
|''[[How to Get Away with Murder]]''
|Episode: "He Has a Wife"
|-
|2015
|''[[Empire (2015 TV series)|Empire]]''
|Episode: "Who I Am"
|-
|2014–2015
|''[[Scandal (American TV series)|Scandal]]''
|3 episodes
|-
|2014–2015
|''[[Jane the Virgin]]''
|Episodes: "Chapter Four" and "Chapter Twenty"
|-
|2015
|''[[Survivor's Remorse]]''
|Episode: "Guts"
|-
|2016
|''[[Insecure (TV series)|Insecure]]''
|Episode: "Guilty as Fuck"
|-
|2018
|''[[Step Up: High Water]]''
|Episode: "Solo"
|-
|2020
|''[[Christmas on the Square|Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square]]''
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie]]<br>[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography|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 ==
{{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}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Houston]]
[[Category:African-American female dancers]]
[[Category:African-American dancers]]
[[Category:African-American television directors]]
[[Category:African-American television producers]]
[[Category:African-American choreographers]]
[[Category:American choreographers]]
[[Category:American female dancers]]
[[Category:Dancers from Texas]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American stage actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American television directors]]
[[Category:Television producers from Texas]]
[[Category:American women television producers]]
[[Category:American women choreographers]]
[[Category:Best Musical or Comedy Actress Golden Globe (television) winners]]
[[Category:Drama Desk Award winners]]
[[Category:American voice directors]]
[[Category:Howard University alumni]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:University of California, Los Angeles faculty]]
[[Category:American women television directors]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:African-American history of Westchester County, New York]]
[[Category:Kennedy Center honorees]]