Thursday, April 7, 2011

Debra Lynn Messing

Born on August 15, 1968
Debra Lynn Messing is an eight time Golden Globe nominated American actress. Her work includes the portrayal of Grace Adler in the NBC television series Will & Grace, and Molly Kagan in the USA television series The Starter Wife.

"I had a friend who had a little too much to drink on the day and attempted to flirt with every married woman in the place. Nothing happened, but it was funny to watch."

"Ask everyone whether they're an actor or a doctor or a teacher or whatever is entitled to his or her opinion. But unfortunately, because actors are in the public eye, whether we want it or not, sometimes our opinions carry more weight or influence than they deserve. "


"I come from the New York theatre world, and I have a lot of gay male friends, so this friendship of Will & Grace’s isn’t such a stretch. "

"I'm fascinated by diamonds. When I put diamonds on, my hands start
to shake. "

"I can't imagine it being more sweet. You just hope that you will get the opportunity to do what you love and pay your bills, and that is being a success as an actor. The accolades -- this is otherworldly. I have never allowed myself the ability to dream this far." -Debra Messing

In 1993, Messing won praise for her acting in the pre-Broadway workshop production of Tony Kushner's play Angels in America: Perestroika. Subsequently, she appeared in several episodes of the television series NYPD Blue during 1994 and 1995.

In 1995, Messing made her film debut in Alfonso Arau's A Walk in the Clouds playing the unfaithful wife of main character Paul Sutton (Keanu Reeves). This exposure led the Fox network to make her the co-star of the television sitcom, Ned and Stacey. The series lasted for two seasons, from 1995 to 1997. Messing appeared as Jerry Seinfeld's date in two episodes of the series Seinfeld: "The Wait Out" in 1996 and "The Yada Yada" in 1997. Messing turned down a starring role in another television sitcom to appear in Donald Margulies's two-character play Collected Stories, which opened at the Off-Broadway Manhattan Theater Club. She also co-starred in McHale's Navy in 1997.

In 1998, Messing played a lead role as the bio-anthropologist Sloan Parker on ABC's dramatic science fiction television series Prey. During this time her agent approached her with the pilot script for the television show Will & Grace. Messing was inclined to take some time off, but the script intrigued her, and she auditioned for the role of Grace Adler, beating out Nicollette Sheridan, who later guest-starred on the show as a romantic rival of Grace's. Will & Grace became a ratings success, and Messing gained renown.

In 2002, she was named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" by People Magazine. TV Guide picked her as its "Best Dressed Woman" in 2003. Messing was cast by director Woody Allen in a small role in his 2002 film Hollywood Ending. Her film roles since include a happily married but ill-fated wife in the supernatural thriller The Mothman Prophecies (2002) and a supporting role in Along Came Polly (2004). The Wedding Date (2005) was Messing's first leading role in a high-profile film. It received mixed reviews but performed fairly well at the box office. Messing was featured as a judge on the season finale of the second season of Bravo's reality show, Project Runway. She also starred in the television mini-series The Starter Wife, which was nominated for ten Emmy awards including one for Messing for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.

Messing reprised her role as Molly Kagan in a second season of ten episodes of The Starter Wife in 2008. In February 2009, USA Network announced that The Starter Wife will not be back for another season.

Messing met her husband, Daniel Zelman, an actor and screenwriter, on their first day as graduate students at NYU in 1990. They were married on September 3, 2000, and live in New York City. On April 7, 2004, Messing gave birth to their son, Roman Walker Zelman.

Is she too wholesome to be sexy? Of course not. The good-girl attitude combined with her red-headed flamboyance makes for a very attractive package.

Selected filmography
* 2006 Open Season Park Ranger Beth voice only; In Production
* 2005 The Wedding Date Kat Ellis
* 2004 Along Came Polly Lisa Kramer
* 2004 Garfield Arlene voice only
* 2002 Hollywood Ending Lori Fox
* 2002 The Mothman Prophecies Mary Klein
* 1997 McHale's Navy Lt. Penelope Carpenter
* 1995 A Walk in the Clouds Betty Sutton

Emmy Awards
* 2000: nominated - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace
* 2001: nominated - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace
* 2002: nominated - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace
* 2003: won - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace
* 2006: nominated - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Will & Grace
* 2007: nominated - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie - The Starter Wife

Golden Globe Awards
* 2000: nominated - Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy - Will & Grace
* 2001: nominated - Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy - Will & Grace
* 2002: nominated - Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy - Will & Grace
* 2003: nominated - Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy - Will & Grace
* 2004: nominated - Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy - Will & Grace
* 2005: nominated - Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy - Will & Grace
* 2008: nominated - Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film - The Starter Wife
* 2009: nominated - Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy - The Starter Wife

Birth Name : Debra Moessing
Sex : Female
Nationality : American
Height : 5' 8" (1.73 m)
Hair Color : Red
Eye Color : Amber
Zodiac Sign : Leo
Sexual Orientation : Straight
Race or Ethnicity : White
Religion : Jewish
Profession : Actress
First Major Screen Credit : Ned and Stacey
Husband : Daniel Zelman (Actor and Screenwriter)
Boyfriend : Harry Connick, Jr. (Singer)
Father : Brian Messing (Sales Executive for a Jewelry Company)
Mother : Sandy Messing (singer)
Career Highlights : Lucky You, Open Season, The Wedding Date
Claim to Fame : As Grace Adler in " Will & Grace "
TV commercial : Clairol's Nice 'n Easy hair color, Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo
Magazine Covers : PDTV, TV Guide, Marie Claire, Entertainment WeeklyGlamour, Us Weekly, The Advocate
Credits : Named as TV Guide's "best dressed woman" in 2003, Named as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2002.

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