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Debbie Allen Biography

Birth Name:Deborrah Kaye Allen

Birth Place:Houston, Texas, United States

Profession Actress, Director, Producer, Soundtrack, Assistant director, Art department

Fast Facts

  • Founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy to offer dance programs to people of all ages
  • Received the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Won the Drama Desk Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her work on "West Side Story․"
  • Has served on the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities
  • Graduated from Howard University with a degree in classical Greek studies
  • Sister of actress Phylicia Rashad and jazz composer Tex Allen
  • Studied drama at the HB Studio
  • Best known for her choreography work, including on Broadway and the Academy Awards
  • Taught choreography to dancer and singer Paula Abdul

Awards

  • 1982Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Choreography: winner
  • 1982Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1983Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1983Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Choreography: winner
  • 1983Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1984Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Choreography: nominated
  • 1985Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1985Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1985Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Choreography: nominated
  • 1998PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 1998Vision Award-Theatrical Motion Pictures: winner
  • 1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
  • 2005BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017Black Reel-Outstanding Directing, Comedy Series: winner
  • 2020Image Award-Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Television Movie: winner
  • 2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming: winner
  • 2022Black Reel-Outstanding Directing, TV Movie/Limited Series: winner
  • 2023AAFCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2023Image Award-Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2023Angel Awards Trophy-Best Producer: winner