Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Debra Messing Biography

Birth Name:Debra Lynn Messing

Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Earned a master's degree from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts
Has served as a Global Health Ambassador for the nonprofit organizaiton PSI
Was awarded the Women in Film Lucy Award in 2005 for her contributions to the perception of women on television
Graduated from Brandeis University
Participated in the America's Junior Miss scholarship program as Rhode Island's Junior Miss in 1986
Quote: "(On winning her first Emmy Award) "I've never allowed myself the ability to dream this far․""
Well known for her role as Grace Adler in the series "Will & Grace․"

Awards

1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a New Comedy Series: nominated
1999Q Award-Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
2000American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2000OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2000Q Award-Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
2001American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2001OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2001TV Guide Award-Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series: winner
2001Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Actress: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2002OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: winner
2002Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Actress, Comedy: nominated
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2003Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2003OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: winner
2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2004Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress: nominated
2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2006OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2006TV Guide Award-Editor's Choice: winner
2006Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Actress: nominated
2007Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actress: nominated
2007OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: nominated
2007Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2008Gracie-Outstanding Female Lead - Mini-Series: winner
2008Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2009Razzie Award-Worst Actress: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress of the Decade: nominated
2012TV Guide Award-Favorite Comeback: nominated
2012WIN Award-Actress Drama Series: nominated
2014Best Featured Actress-: winner
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Critics Choice Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: nominated