Debra Messing

Debra Messing began her professional career with a 1993 workshop production of Angels in America: Perestroika. She appeared in NYPD Blue in 1994 and 1995 and made her film debut in A Walk in the Clouds in 1995. From 1995 to 1997, she starred in the television sitcom Ned & Stacey and appeared in Seinfeld in 1996 and 1997. In 1997, she appeared in the film McHale's Navy and the off-Broadway production of Collected Stories. In 1998, she starred in the science-fiction television series Prey.

Messing began starring as Grace Adler on Will & Grace in 1998. She continued in the role throughout the show's original run and later returned for its revival from 2017 to 2020. Her film credits during this period included Hollywood Ending (2002), The Mothman Prophecies (2002), Along Came Polly (2004) and The Wedding Date (2005). She also appeared as a judge on Project Runway in 2005.

In 2007, Messing starred in the television miniseries The Starter Wife, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie. She reprised the role in the television series The Starter Wife in 2008. In 2010, she starred in the pilot for Wright vs. Wrong, which was not picked up to series.

Messing starred in the NBC musical drama series Smash from 2012 to 2013. In 2014, she appeared in the film Like Sunday, Like Rain and made her Broadway debut in Outside Mullingar. She won the Best Actress Award at the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival for Like Sunday, Like Rain.

From 2014 to 2016, Messing starred in the television series The Mysteries of Laura. She portrayed Marjorie Houseman in the television film Dirty Dancing in 2017 and returned to Will & Grace that year. In 2022, she starred on Broadway in Birthday Candles, earning an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play. In 2024, she appeared off-Broadway in Shit. Meet. Fan at MCC Theater.