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Debra Messing Headshot

Debra Messing

Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York, USA

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BIO

Debra Lynn Messing (born August 15, 1968) is an American actress. After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Messing starred in the short-lived television series, Ned and Stacey on Fox (1995–1997), and Prey on ABC (1998). She achieved her breakthrough role as Grace Adler, an interior designer, on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace (1998–2006, 2017–2020), for which she received seven Golden Globe Award nominations and five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, winning once, in 2003.



From 2007 to 2008, Messing starred as Molly Kagan, the ex-wife of a Hollywood film mogul, on the television miniseries The Starter Wife, for which she received two Golden Globe nominations, a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Thereafter, she appeared as Broadway playwright Julia Houston on the NBC musical drama Smash (2012–2013) and as homicide detective Laura Diamond on the NBC police-procedural comedy The Mysteries of Laura (2014–2016). From 2017 to 2020, Messing reprised her role as Grace Adler on NBC's three season revival of Will & Grace, garnering a ninth Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

Messing's film work includes A Walk in the Clouds (1995), Jesus (1999), The Mothman Prophecies (2002), Hollywood Ending (2002), Along Came Polly (2004), The Wedding Date (2005), Lucky You (2007), The Women (2008), Nothing Like the Holidays (2008), Searching (2018), and 13: The Musical (2022). She has also lent her voice to animated films such as Garfield (2004) and Open Season (2006).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
MCC Theater World Premiere Production, 2024
Claire

[Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company Original Broadway Production, 2022
Ernestine Ashworth

[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2014
Rosemary

[Off-Broadway]
1997
Lisa Morrison

[Off-Broadway]
1994
Lynette Marshall

[Off-Broadway]
1993
Brenda/ Collette (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
1993
Brenda/ Collette (Understudy)

Movies

A Walk in the Clouds
[ 1995 ] Betty Sutton
McHale's Navy
[ 1997 ] Lt. Penelope Carpenter
Celebrity
[ 1998 ] TV Reporter at Lupus Office
Hollywood Ending
[ 2002 ] Lori
The Mothman Prophecies
[ 2002 ] Mary Klein
Garfield
[ 2004 ] Arlene
Along Came Polly
[ 2004 ] Lisa Kramer
The Wedding Date
[ 2005 ] Kat Ellis
Open Season
[ 2006 ] Beth
Purple Violets
[ 2007 ] Kate Scott
Lucky You
[ 2007 ] Suzanne Offer
The Women
[ 2008 ] Edie Cohen
Nothing Like the Holidays
[ 2008 ] Sarah Rodriguez
Like Sunday, Like Rain
[ 2014 ] Barbara
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
[ 2016 ] The Queen
Searching
[ 2018 ] Detective Vick
The Dark Divide
[ 2020 ] Thea Pyle
Bros
[ 2022 ] Debra Messing
13: The Musical
[ 2022 ] Jessica

TV Shows

Ned and Stacey
Stacey Colbert
Nightcap
Debra Messing
NYPD Blue
Dana Abandando
Seinfeld
Beth Lukner
Smash
Julia Houston
The Mysteries of Laura
Laura Diamond
Will & Grace
Grace Adler
The Best Man's Ghostwriter
Nate's Mother
The Best Man's Ghostwriter
Nate's Mother

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Debra Messing, Birthday Candles

Videos

News


Nick Jonas, Micaela Diamond, Whitney White, and More Join WP Theater Gala
by Stephi Wild - May 6, 2025

 WP Theater has announced the presenters and performers for its 2025 Annual Gala, celebrating extraordinary achievement by Women+ artists and industry leaders. Learn more here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 1, 2025
by - May 1, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 1, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
2025 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 30, 2025

Nominations for the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced. This year’s awards, hosted by Debra Messing and Tituss Burgess, will be held on Sunday, June 1 at 6:15pm at NYU Skirball  Check out the full list here!
Norm Lewis Will Announce the 69th Drama Desk Awards Nominations This Week
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2025

Stage and screen star Norm Lewis will announce the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards nominations on April 30 at 12:50 PM on Spectrum News NY1. Norm will make the announcement with Spectrum News NY1 host Rocco Vertuccio and On Stage host Frank DiLella.
Debra Messing and Tituss Burgess to Host The 2025 Drama Desk Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 24, 2025

Stage and screen stars Debra Messing and Tituss Burgess will host the 2025 Annual Drama Desk Awards. Learn more about the Awards and see how to tune in!
Broadway Stars Who Appeared on NBC's SMASH
by Stephi Wild - Apr 19, 2025

As we welcome SMASH to the stage for the first time, we're taking a look back on the iconic television show that started it all. Take a look back on the Broadway names who appeared on SMASH!
Photos: Go Inside SMASH VIP Arrivals on Opening Night!
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 12, 2025

Many arrived for opening night, including Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker, and more. Scroll down to see photos of the VIP arrivals on opening night! 
Anjelica Huston Reflects on SMASH Experience: 'I Wasn't Very Happy'
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 11, 2025

In a new interview, Anjelica Huston reflected on her role as Broadway producer Eileen Rand in the TV series Smash, sharing that she 'didn't feel very prized in that role.'
2025 Broadway Awards Season Calendar- All the Dates to Remember
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 8, 2025

The 2025 theatre awards season is here and keeping track of all of the important dates for the many ceremonies and their corresponding nomination announcements is no easy feat. Stay up to date on all the need-to-know facts with BroadwayWorld's full Awards Season Calendar below!
Photos: Opening Night for Liz Gillies, Milo Manheim and Jeremy Kushnier in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 7, 2025

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Elizabeth Gillies, Milo Manheim and Jeremy Kushnier celebrated their opening night performance as Audrey, Seymour, and Dr. Orin Scrivello DDS in Little Shop of Horrors. See photos from the opening event here! 
Broadway Stage and Screen- A Spring 2025 Watch Guide
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 2, 2025

hile many of them are original concepts or based on plays, 14 are already films or series that you can watch from home now. If you are seeing any of the below productions in 2025, check out how you can study up beforehand or unpack afterwards!
Exclusive: Debra Messing Discovers Family Document in FINDING YOUR ROOTS
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 24, 2025

In this exclusive clip from PBS's Finding Your Roots, actress Debra Messing discovers her grandparents' marriage certificate for the first time. Join Debra Messing on an emotional journey as she uncovers her grandparents' marriage certificate on PBS's Finding Your Roots.
Adrienne Warren and More to be Honored at WP Gala Hosted by Betsy Wolfe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 12, 2025

WP Theater has revealed the honorees of its 2025 Annual Gala, celebrating extraordinary achievement by Women+ artists and industry leaders, including Adrienne Warren and more. Learn how to purchase tickets.
La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts To Present I'M NOT A COMEDIAN… I'M LENNY BRUCE This March
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 11, 2025

Critically acclaimed actor Ronnie Marmo, with the blessings of Kitty Bruce (daughter of the late Lenny Bruce), along with the Lenny Bruce Foundation, will present I'M NOT A COMEDIAN… I'M LENNY BRUCE, directed by Joe Mantegna.
The West Bank Cafe & Laurie Beechman Theatre to Reopen Under New Ownership
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 10, 2024

The West Bank Cafe-Laurie Beechman Theatre, which was previously set to close its doors, will reopen under new management! Learn more about the campaign to save the beloved space.
Video: Neil Patrick Harris Previews SHIT. MEET. FAN. on TODAY
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 26, 2024

Shit. Meet. Fan., the new play from Tony Award nominee Robert O'Hara is now playing at MCC Theater. On Tuesday, star Neil Patrick Harris visited Today with Hoda & Jenna to discuss the show, which Harris calls 'both funny and biting.' Watch the interview!
Photos: SH*T. MEET. FAN Opens at MCC
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 20, 2024

MCC Theater is now presenting Shit. Meet. Fan., written and directed by Obie Award winner and Tony Award nominee Robert O'Hara. Check out photos from opening night here!
Review Roundup: SHIT. MEET. FAN. Opens at MCC
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 19, 2024

MCC Theater is now presenting Shit. Meet. Fan., written and directed by Obie Award winner and Tony Award nominee Robert O'Hara. Check out what critics from the New York Times, Vulture, Deadline and more are saying about the new play.
Video: Building the Set of SH!T. MEET. FAN.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2024

Go behind the scenes of the building of the set for MCC Theater's Shit. Meet. Fan., written and directed by Obie Award winner and Tony Award nominee Robert O'Hara. Check out the video here!
Michael Oberholtzer To Replace Billy Magnussen in MCC's SH*T. MEET. FAN; New Opening Night Set
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 23, 2024

Sh*t. Meet. Fan. – the new play currently in previews at MCC Theater has announced a change in casting and has set a new opening night.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Debra Messing been in?

Debra Messing has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Debra Messing been in?

Debra Messing has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Debra Messing been nominated for?

and Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Birthday Candles.

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