Debra Messing

Profile
Name: Debra Messing
Birth Name: Debra Moessing
Height: 5' 8"
Sex: F
Nationality: American
Birth Date: August 15, 1968
Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Profession: actress
Education: Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts (majored in Theater Arts; B.A.)
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England
New York University in New York, New York (majored in Acting; M.F.A.)
Husband/Wife: Daniel Zelman (actor; born in 1967; started dating 1992; engaged in 1998; married on September 3, 2000)
Father: Brian Messing (sales executive for a jewelry company)
Mother: Sandy Messing (singer)
Brother: Brett Messing (stockbroker; older)
Son: Roman Walker Zelman (born on April 7, 2004 in Los Angeles; weighing 5lbs 14oz.)
Claim to fame: as Grace Elizabeth Adler on TV Series Will & Grace (1998)

Biography
Born in Brooklyn, Messing and her older brother were raised in a quiet community outside Providence, Rhode Island. She received her liberal arts education at Brandeis University where she majored in theater arts. She spent half of her junior year studying in London’s prestigious B.E.S.G.L. program, which featured dramatic arts teachers recruited from various distinguished institutions such as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Cambridge University and Oxford University. Upon graduating summa cum laude from Brandeis, Messing was accepted into New York University’s elite Graduate Acting Program and received her master of fine arts degree.

On the New York stage, Messing garnered praise for her performance as Harper Pitt in the pre-Broadway workshop of Tony Kushner’s Tony Award-winning play “Angels in America: Perestroika.” She appeared as Cecily in a Seattle production of “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Upon returning to New York, she was cast as the understudy to Mary-Louise Parker and Polly Draper in the off-Broadway premiere of John Patrick Shanley’s “Four Dogs and a Bone.” She also co-starred in Paul Rudnick’s “The Naked Truth” and co-starred with Maria Tucci in the acclaimed two-woman production of Donald Margulies’ “Collected Stories,” which was chosen as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

On television, Messing starred for two seasons in the comedy “Ned & Stacey” opposite Thomas Haden Church. She had a recurring role on “NYPD Blue” as Gail O’Grady’s conniving sister, Dana Abandando. On “Seinfeld” she played Jerry’s ideal, but elusive, love, Dr. Beth Lookner. She also starred as the young bio-anthropologist Sloan Parker in the drama series “Prey” and appeared as Mary Magdalene in the critically acclaimed 2000 miniseries “Jesus.” Messing lives with her husband and young child in Los Angeles. During her free time, she supports charities such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Project Angel Food and various breast cancer charities.

Filmography
2008 The Women
2007 The Starter Wife [TV Series]
2007 Lucky You
2006 Open Season
2005 Will & Grace: Season 08
2005 The Wedding Date
2004 Along Came Polly
2004 Garfield: The Movie
2004 Will & Grace: Season 07
2003 Will & Grace: Season 06
2002 Will & Grace: ...And the Horse He Rode in On
2002 Will & Grace: A Bunch of White Chicks Sittin' Around Talkin'
2002 Hollywood Ending
2002 King of the Hill: Get Your Freak Off
2002 Will & Grace: A.I.: Artificial Insemination, Part 1
2002 The Mothman Prophecies
2002 Will & Grace: Season 05
2001 Will & Grace: Season 04
2000 Jesus
2000 Will & Grace: Season 03
1999 Will & Grace: Season 02
1998 Will & Grace: Season 01
1998 Prey
1997 Ned and Stacey: Season 02
1997 Seinfeld: The Yada Yada
1997 McHale's Navy
1996 Seinfeld: The Wait Out
1995 NYPD Blue: A Murder With Teeth in It
1995 Ned and Stacey: Season 01
1995 NYPD Blue: Bombs Away
1994 NYPD Blue: Double Abandando

Awards
Emmy
2006 Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Will and Grace: Season 08

Golden Globe
2003 Best Actress - Musical or Comedy (TV) Will & Grace [TV Series]
2002 Best Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy Will & Grace
2001 Best Actress - Television Musical or Comedy Will & Grace
2000 Best Actress - Comedy or Musical Series Will & Grace

Screen Actors Guild
2000 Best Actress in a Comedy Series Will & Grace

Trivia

Believes diamonds have magic powers. because her hands tremble whenever she touches them.

Her 17-month-old son, Roman, is calling Angelina Jolie Mama. She says, He's really into kissing now. And he's indiscriminate. He kisses the ottoman, he kisses the chair, he kisses Angelina Jolie on the cover of a magazine and then he says, 'mama'.” (September 8, 2005)

Has assured fans her sitcom Will & Grace will remain on screens for quite some time, following the imminent end of hit shows Friends, Frasier and Sex And The City. (February 19, 2004)

Was called the most ravishing redhead in a celebrity hair survey conducted by Wella. (December 20, 2003)

Suffered a health scare during her pregnancy due to her tiny figure. (November 5, 2003)

Messing risked sparking another Hollywood shoplifting scandal when she mistakenly walked out of Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue with a pair of pricey jeans she'd forgotten to pay for. (June 24, 2003)

Is severely allergic to flowers and perfumes.

Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2002.

Named TV Guide's best dressed woman in 2003

Was paid $250,000/episode for WILL & GRACE (1998)

Messing and husband Daniel Zelman were college sweethearts.

Is an advocate for charities like Gay Men's Health Crisis, AmFAR and Best Friend's Pet Sanctuary.

Eric McCormack on Debra Messing: Smart, well-spoken, down-to-earth. She comes to work without makeup. She orders McDonald's more than she should. She listens. She is the least flaky actress I know.

Made her film debut opposite Keanu Reeves in A WALK IN THE CLOUDS (1995)

Nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at Screen Actors Guild Awards for Will & Grace (2004)

Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for WILL & GRACE (2004)

Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series at Screen Actors Guild Awards for Will & Grace (2004)

Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for Will & Grace (2003)

Nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at Screen Actors Guild Awards for Will & Grace (2003)

Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for WILL & GRACE (2002)

Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at Emmy Awards for Will & Grace (2002)

Nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at Screen Actors Guild Awards for Will & Grace (2002)

Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for Will & Grace (2001)

Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at Emmy Awards for Will & Grace (2001)

Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series at Screen Actors Guild Awards for Will & Grace (2001)

Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for Will & Grace (2000)

Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for at Emmy Awards Will & Grace (2000)