Debra Messing: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Previous edit
VisualWikitext
imported>Wimpyguy
No edit summary
imported>Hipal
rv per BLP
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American actress (born 1968)}}
{{short description|American actress (born 1968)}}
{{pp|blp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
Line 19: Line 20:
From 2007 to 2008, Messing starred as Molly Kagan, the ex-wife of a Hollywood film mogul, on the television miniseries ''[[The Starter Wife (TV series)|The Starter Wife]]'', for which she received two Golden Globe nominations, a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, and a [[Screen Actors Guild Award]] nomination. Thereafter, she appeared as Broadway playwright Julia Houston on the NBC musical drama ''[[Smash (TV series)|Smash]]'' (2012–2013) and as homicide detective Laura Diamond on the NBC police-procedural comedy ''[[The Mysteries of Laura]]'' (2014–2016). From 2017 to 2020, Messing reprised her role as Grace Adler on NBC's three season revival of ''Will & Grace'', garnering a ninth Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
From 2007 to 2008, Messing starred as Molly Kagan, the ex-wife of a Hollywood film mogul, on the television miniseries ''[[The Starter Wife (TV series)|The Starter Wife]]'', for which she received two Golden Globe nominations, a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, and a [[Screen Actors Guild Award]] nomination. Thereafter, she appeared as Broadway playwright Julia Houston on the NBC musical drama ''[[Smash (TV series)|Smash]]'' (2012–2013) and as homicide detective Laura Diamond on the NBC police-procedural comedy ''[[The Mysteries of Laura]]'' (2014–2016). From 2017 to 2020, Messing reprised her role as Grace Adler on NBC's three season revival of ''Will & Grace'', garnering a ninth Golden Globe nomination for her performance.


Messing's film work includes ''[[A Walk in the Clouds]]'' (1995), ''[[Jesus (1999 film)|Jesus]]'' (1999), ''[[The Mothman Prophecies (film)|The Mothman Prophecies]]'' (2002), ''[[Hollywood Ending]]'' (2002), ''[[Along Came Polly]]'' (2004), ''[[The Wedding Date]]'' (2005), ''[[Lucky You (film)|Lucky You]]'' (2007), ''[[The Women (2008 film)|The Women]]'' (2008), ''[[Nothing like the Holidays|Nothing Like the Holidays]]'' (2008), ''[[Searching (film)|Searching]]'' (2018), ''[[13: The Musical]]'' (2022), and ''[[The Alto Knights]]'' (2025). She has also lent her voice to animated films such as ''[[Garfield: The Movie|Garfield]]'' (2004) and ''[[Open Season (2006 film)|Open Season]]'' (2006).
Messing's film work includes ''[[A Walk in the Clouds]]'' (1995), ''[[Jesus (1999 film)|Jesus]]'' (1999), ''[[The Mothman Prophecies (film)|The Mothman Prophecies]]'' (2002), ''[[Hollywood Ending]]'' (2002), ''[[Along Came Polly]]'' (2004), ''[[The Wedding Date]]'' (2005), ''[[Lucky You (film)|Lucky You]]'' (2007), ''[[The Women (2008 film)|The Women]]'' (2008), ''[[Nothing like the Holidays|Nothing Like the Holidays]]'' (2008), ''[[Searching (film)|Searching]]'' (2018), ''[[13: The Musical]]'' (2022), and ''[[The Alto Knights]]'' (2025). She has also lent her voice to animated films such as ''[[Garfield: The Movie|Garfield]]'' (2004) and ''[[Open Season (2006 film)|Open Season]]'' (2006).


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Messing was born in [[Brooklyn]], New York,<ref name="actors">Stated in interview on ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]''</ref><ref name=SmashStar>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Ouzounian |url=http://www.toronto.com/article/716250--debra-messing-in-smash |title=Debra Messing in Smash |work=[[Toronto Star]] |date=March 9, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205084722/http://www.toronto.com/article/716250--debra-messing-in-smash |archive-date=February 5, 2013}}</ref><ref name=fdr1>Stated on ''[[Finding Your Roots]]'', February 25, 2025</ref> the daughter of Sandra Ellen (née Simons), who worked as a professional singer, banker, and [[Travel Agent|travel]] and [[real estate agent]], and Brian Messing, a sales executive for a costume jewelry packaging manufacturer. Her family is [[American Jews|Jewish]], and emigrated to the U.S. from [[History of the Jews in Russia|Russia]]; [[Przecław]], [[History of the Jews in Poland|Poland]]; and London, England.<ref name=fdr1/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=March 2020|title=The Calling|url=https://thegentlewoman.co.uk/the-calling/debra-messing|website=[[The Gentlewoman]]|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723221254/https://thegentlewoman.co.uk/the-calling/debra-messing|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Debra Messing Biography|url=http://www.debramessing.com/biography/#:~:text=When%20she%20was%20three%20she,,%20and%20real-estate%20agent.|access-date=2021-07-23|website=www.debramessing.com|archive-date=April 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430151516/http://www.debramessing.com/biography/#:~:text=When%20she%20was%20three%20she,,%20and%20real-estate%20agent.|url-status=live}}</ref> Messing had a [[Bar and bat mitzvah|Bat Mitzvah]] ceremony.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.atlantajewish.com/content/032006/messing.html |title=Lady of Grace |journal=American Jewish Life Magazine |last=Miller |first=Gerri |date=March–April 2006 |access-date=April 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109122406/http://www.atlantajewish.com/content/032006/messing.html |archive-date=January 9, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Naomi |last=Pfefferman |url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=8506 |title=Messing Up Stereotypes |journal=[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles]] |date=May 2, 2002 |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222140031/http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=8506 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2002-05-13|title=Debra Messing: Actress|url=https://people.com/archive/debra-messing-actress-vol-57-no-18/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606180912/https://people.com/archive/debra-messing-actress-vol-57-no-18/|url-status=live}}</ref> When Messing was three, she moved with her parents and her older brother, Brett, to [[East Greenwich, Rhode Island]].<ref name="usatoday">{{cite news| last=Williams| first=Jeannie| title=Debra Messing yells 'Hooray!' for 'Hollywood'| newspaper=[[USA Today]]| date=May 3, 2002| url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/2002/2002-05-03-messing.htm| access-date=December 9, 2007| archive-date=January 31, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131221331/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/2002/2002-05-03-messing.htm| url-status=live}}</ref>
Messing was born in [[Brooklyn]], New York,<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio">Stated in interview on ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]''</ref><ref name="Ouzounian-2012">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Ouzounian |url=http://www.toronto.com/article/716250--debra-messing-in-smash |title=Debra Messing in Smash |work=[[Toronto Star]] |date=March 9, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205084722/http://www.toronto.com/article/716250--debra-messing-in-smash |archive-date=February 5, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Finding Your Roots">Stated on ''[[Finding Your Roots]]'', February 25, 2025</ref> the daughter of Sandra Ellen ({{née|Simons}}), who worked as a professional singer, banker, and [[Travel Agent|travel]] and [[real estate agent]], and Brian Messing, a sales executive for a costume jewelry packaging manufacturer. Her family is [[American Jews|Jewish]], and emigrated to the U.S. from [[History of the Jews in Russia|Russia]]; [[Przecław]], [[History of the Jews in Poland|Poland]]; and London, England.<ref name="Finding Your Roots"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=March 2020|title=The Calling|url=https://thegentlewoman.co.uk/the-calling/debra-messing|website=[[The Gentlewoman]]|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723221254/https://thegentlewoman.co.uk/the-calling/debra-messing|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Debra Messing Biography|url=http://www.debramessing.com/biography/#:~:text=When%20she%20was%20three%20she,,%20and%20real-estate%20agent.|access-date=2021-07-23|website=www.debramessing.com|archive-date=April 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430151516/http://www.debramessing.com/biography/#:~:text=When%20she%20was%20three%20she,,%20and%20real-estate%20agent.|url-status=live}}</ref> Messing had a [[Bar and bat mitzvah|Bat Mitzvah]] ceremony.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.atlantajewish.com/content/032006/messing.html |title=Lady of Grace |journal=American Jewish Life Magazine |last=Miller |first=Gerri |date=March–April 2006 |access-date=April 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109122406/http://www.atlantajewish.com/content/032006/messing.html |archive-date=January 9, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Naomi |last=Pfefferman |url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=8506 |title=Messing Up Stereotypes |journal=[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles]] |date=May 2, 2002 |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222140031/http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=8506 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2002-05-13|title=Debra Messing: Actress|url=https://people.com/archive/debra-messing-actress-vol-57-no-18/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606180912/https://people.com/archive/debra-messing-actress-vol-57-no-18/|url-status=live}}</ref> When Messing was three, she moved with her parents and her older brother, Brett, to [[East Greenwich, Rhode Island]].<ref>{{cite news| last=Williams| first=Jeannie| title=Debra Messing yells 'Hooray!' for 'Hollywood'| newspaper=[[USA Today]]| date=May 3, 2002| url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/2002/2002-05-03-messing.htm| access-date=December 9, 2007| archive-date=January 31, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131221331/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/2002/2002-05-03-messing.htm| url-status=live}}</ref>


While Messing's parents encouraged her dream of becoming an actress, they also urged her to complete a [[liberal arts]] education before deciding on acting as a career. Following their advice, she attended [[Brandeis University]], where, at her parents' request, three-quarters of her courses were not theater-related.<ref name=SmashStar/>
While Messing's parents encouraged her dream of becoming an actress, they also urged her to complete a [[liberal arts]] education before deciding on acting as a career. Following their advice, she attended [[Brandeis University]], where, at her parents' request, three-quarters of her courses were not theater-related.<ref name="Ouzounian-2012"/>


In 1990, after graduating ''[[Latin honors|summa cum laude]]'' from Brandeis with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in Theater Arts, Messing gained admission to the elite [[New York University Tisch School of the Arts#Departments and programs|Grad Acting Program]] at [[New York University]]'s [[New York University Tisch School of the Arts|Tisch School of the Arts]], which accepts 16 new students annually. She earned a [[Master of Fine Arts]] after three years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Select Alumni Bios |url=https://tisch.nyu.edu/grad-acting/alumni/some-alumni-bios |website=NYU Tisch School of the Arts |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109162551/https://tisch.nyu.edu/grad-acting/alumni/some-alumni-bios |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1990, after graduating ''[[Latin honors|summa cum laude]]'' from Brandeis with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in Theater Arts, Messing gained admission to the elite [[New York University Tisch School of the Arts#Departments and programs|Grad Acting Program]] at [[New York University]]'s [[New York University Tisch School of the Arts|Tisch School of the Arts]], which accepts 16 new students annually. She earned a [[Master of Fine Arts]] after three years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Select Alumni Bios |url=https://tisch.nyu.edu/grad-acting/alumni/some-alumni-bios |website=NYU Tisch School of the Arts |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109162551/https://tisch.nyu.edu/grad-acting/alumni/some-alumni-bios |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
In 1993, Messing won acclaim for her performance as Harper in the pre-[[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] workshop production of [[Tony Kushner]]'s play ''[[Angels in America#Part Two: Perestroika|Angels in America: Perestroika]]''.<ref name="actors"/> Subsequently, she appeared in several episodes of the television series ''[[NYPD Blue]]'' during 1994 and 1995.
In 1993, Messing won acclaim for her performance as Harper in the pre-[[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] workshop production of [[Tony Kushner]]'s play ''[[Angels in America#Part Two: Perestroika|Angels in America: Perestroika]]''.<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio"/> Subsequently, she appeared in several episodes of the television series ''[[NYPD Blue]]'' during 1994 and 1995.


[[File:Debra Messing (April 2009) 4.jpg|thumb|left| Messing at the [[Tribeca Film Festival]] 2009 premiere of ''[[Whatever Works]]'']]
[[File:Debra Messing (April 2009) 4.jpg|thumb|left| Messing at the [[Tribeca Film Festival]] 2009 premiere of ''[[Whatever Works]]'']]
Line 35: Line 36:
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 [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] to make her the co-star of the television sitcom ''[[Ned and Stacey|Ned & Stacey]]''. The series lasted for two seasons, from 1995 to 1997. Messing appeared as [[Jerry Seinfeld (character)|Jerry Seinfeld]]'s romantic interest 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 Theatre Club]]. She also co-starred in the [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]] vehicle ''[[McHale's Navy (1997 film)|McHale's Navy]]'' in 1997.
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 [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] to make her the co-star of the television sitcom ''[[Ned and Stacey|Ned & Stacey]]''. The series lasted for two seasons, from 1995 to 1997. Messing appeared as [[Jerry Seinfeld (character)|Jerry Seinfeld]]'s romantic interest 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 Theatre Club]]. She also co-starred in the [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]] vehicle ''[[McHale's Navy (1997 film)|McHale's Navy]]'' in 1997.


In 1998, Messing played a lead role as the [[Biological anthropology|bioanthropologist]] Sloan Parker on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s dramatic science-fiction television series ''[[Prey (American TV 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 [[Nicollette Sheridan]], who later guest-starred on the show as Grace's romantic rival. ''Will & Grace'' became a ratings success, and Messing received critical acclaim for her performance.<ref name="actors"/>
In 1998, Messing played a lead role as the [[Biological anthropology|bioanthropologist]] Sloan Parker on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s dramatic science-fiction television series ''[[Prey (American TV 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 [[Nicollette Sheridan]], who later guest-starred on the show as Grace's romantic rival. ''Will & Grace'' became a ratings success, and Messing received critical acclaim for her performance.<ref name="Inside the Actors Studio"/>


Director [[Woody Allen]] cast Messing in a supporting role in his film ''[[Hollywood Ending]]'' (2002). Her film roles since include [[Richard Gere]]'s ill-fated wife in the supernatural thriller ''[[The Mothman Prophecies (film)|The Mothman Prophecies]]'' (2002) and a supporting role as an unfaithful bride 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.
Director [[Woody Allen]] cast Messing in a supporting role in his film ''[[Hollywood Ending]]'' (2002). Her film roles since include [[Richard Gere]]'s ill-fated wife in the supernatural thriller ''[[The Mothman Prophecies (film)|The Mothman Prophecies]]'' (2002) and a supporting role as an unfaithful bride 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.
Line 49: Line 50:
She made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in [[John Patrick Shanley]]'s play ''[[Outside Mullingar]]'' alongside [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]] winner [[Brían F. O'Byrne]], which began previews at the [[Samuel J. Friedman Theatre]] on January 3, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Voss|first=Brandon|date=2014-01-04|title=Gracing Broadway — Debra Messing Returns to the Stage in MTC's ''Outside Mullingar''|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/gracing-broadway-mdash-debra-messing-returns-to-the-stage-in-mtcs-outside-mullingar-com-213460|access-date=2021-06-06|website=Playbill|archive-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607073719/https://www.playbill.com/article/gracing-broadway-mdash-debra-messing-returns-to-the-stage-in-mtcs-outside-mullingar-com-213460|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Outside Mullingar'' was nominated for Best Play for the [[68th Tony Awards|2014 (68th Annual) Tony Awards]].
She made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in [[John Patrick Shanley]]'s play ''[[Outside Mullingar]]'' alongside [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]] winner [[Brían F. O'Byrne]], which began previews at the [[Samuel J. Friedman Theatre]] on January 3, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Voss|first=Brandon|date=2014-01-04|title=Gracing Broadway — Debra Messing Returns to the Stage in MTC's ''Outside Mullingar''|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/gracing-broadway-mdash-debra-messing-returns-to-the-stage-in-mtcs-outside-mullingar-com-213460|access-date=2021-06-06|website=Playbill|archive-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607073719/https://www.playbill.com/article/gracing-broadway-mdash-debra-messing-returns-to-the-stage-in-mtcs-outside-mullingar-com-213460|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Outside Mullingar'' was nominated for Best Play for the [[68th Tony Awards|2014 (68th Annual) Tony Awards]].


Messing starred in ''[[The Mysteries of Laura]]'', a police procedural television show that premiered in September 2014. The series lasted for two seasons and ended in 2016. Messing portrayed Marjorie Houseman in the [[Dirty Dancing (2017 film)|television remake]] of the film ''[[Dirty Dancing]]'' (1987). It aired on ABC in May 2017.<ref name="Dirty Dancing">{{cite news |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |title='Dirty Dancing' ABC Remake Casts Debra Messing, Gets Firm Green Light |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/dirty-dancing-abc-remake-debra-messing-cast-green-light-1201683225/ |journal=Deadline Hollywood |location=New York City |date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=March 19, 2016 |archive-date=March 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316123427/http://deadline.com/2016/01/dirty-dancing-abc-remake-debra-messing-cast-green-light-1201683225/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She starred again as Grace Adler in the revival of ''Will & Grace'' on NBC. The revival aired for three seasons, from September 2017 to April 2020.
Messing starred in ''[[The Mysteries of Laura]]'', a police procedural television show that premiered in September 2014. The series lasted for two seasons and ended in 2016. Messing portrayed Marjorie Houseman in the [[Dirty Dancing (2017 film)|television remake]] of the film ''[[Dirty Dancing]]'' (1987). It aired on ABC in May 2017.<ref>{{cite news |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |title='Dirty Dancing' ABC Remake Casts Debra Messing, Gets Firm Green Light |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/dirty-dancing-abc-remake-debra-messing-cast-green-light-1201683225/ |journal=Deadline Hollywood |location=New York City |date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=March 19, 2016 |archive-date=March 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316123427/http://deadline.com/2016/01/dirty-dancing-abc-remake-debra-messing-cast-green-light-1201683225/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She starred again as Grace Adler in the revival of ''Will & Grace'' on NBC. The revival aired for three seasons, from September 2017 to April 2020.


==Personal life==
== Activism ==
Messing met [[Daniel Zelman]], an actor and screenwriter, on their first day as graduate students at [[New York University]] in 1990. They were married on September 3, 2000, and lived in [[Manhattan]]. On April 7, 2004, Messing gave birth to their son, Roman.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.superiorpics.com/debra_messing/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919013306/http://www.superiorpics.com/debra_messing/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 19, 2012 |title=The Debra Messing Picture Pages |website=Superiorpics.com |access-date=April 7, 2010}}</ref> In December 2011, she and her husband separated after 11 years of marriage.<ref>{{cite news|last=Finn|first=Natalie|date=2011-12-20|title=The Finished Wife: Debra Messing and Husband Separate|journal=[[E! News]]|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/finished_wife_debra_messing_husband/282031|access-date=December 20, 2011|archive-date=April 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409184922/http://www.eonline.com/news/finished_wife_debra_messing_husband/282031|url-status=live}}</ref> Messing filed for divorce on June 5, 2012,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shira|first=Dahvi|date=2012-06-05|title=Debra Messing Files for Divorce|url=https://people.com/celebrity/debra-messing-files-for-divorce/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=People|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606180912/https://people.com/celebrity/debra-messing-files-for-divorce/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the divorce became official on March 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Judge ends Debra Messing's marriage to writer-producer |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/tv/article63641017.html |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307184903/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/tv/article63641017.html |archive-date=March 7, 2016}}</ref> Messing dated her ''Smash'' co-star [[Will Chase]] from the end of 2011 to October 2014.<ref>{{cite news |first=Melody |last=Chiu |title=Debra Messing and Will Chase Split |url=http://www.people.com/article/debra-messing-will-chase-break-up |journal=People |date=October 27, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421231319/http://www.people.com/article/debra-messing-will-chase-break-up |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, she posed nude for the May issue of [[Allure (magazine)|''Allure'']] magazine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allure.com/celebrity-trends/2012/the-naked-truth-celebrities-go-nude#slide=3 |title=The Naked Truth: Five Celebrities Go Nude for Allure |work=[[Allure (magazine)|Allure]] |date=2012-04-17 |access-date=2014-03-18 |archive-date=July 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710011836/http://www.allure.com/celebrity-trends/2012/the-naked-truth-celebrities-go-nude#slide=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2004, Messing started working on political campaigns by knocking on doors and making phone calls.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2023 |title='Register a Friend' Day seeks to boost civic engagement |url=https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/-register-a-friend-day-seeks-to-boost-civic-engagement-193197637510 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919203552/https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/-register-a-friend-day-seeks-to-boost-civic-engagement-193197637510 |archive-date=September 19, 2023 |access-date=September 20, 2023 |website=Morning Joe (MSNBC)}}</ref> She has frequently criticized [[Donald Trump]] since his presidential run in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-02 |title=Trump fundraiser, Beverly Hills: Debra Messing demands attendee list for fundraiser event, president hits back |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-fundraiser-beverly-hills-debra-messing-demands-attendee-list-for-fundraiser-event-president-hits-back-today/ |access-date=2025-08-02 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-18 |title=Inside Trump's 'obsession' with Debra Messing — and her 'beautiful red hair' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-debra-messing-apprentice-book-b2564599.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708003616/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-debra-messing-apprentice-book-b2564599.html |archive-date=July 8, 2025 |access-date=August 2, 2025 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2018, Messing and [[Mandana Dayani]] founded a nonpartisan organization called "I am a voter" to educate and mobilize voters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scharf |first=Lindzi |date=October 10, 2020 |title=She wants to make voting as epic as the next Marvel movie |url=https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-10-10/election-2020-i-am-a-voter-cofounder-mandana-dayani |access-date=August 2, 2025 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref> {{Asof|July 2022}}, Messing supported the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dovere |first=Edward-Isaac |date=July 5, 2022 |title=After string of Supreme Court setbacks, Democrats wonder whether Biden White House is capable of urgency moment demands |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/05/politics/democrats-frustrated-biden-lack-of-urgency-supreme-court-setbacks/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705203800/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/05/politics/democrats-frustrated-biden-lack-of-urgency-supreme-court-setbacks/index.html |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref>
 
=== Gaza war ===
Messing has been a vocal supporter of [[Israel]] since the [[October 7 attacks]].<ref name="Blair-2024">{{Cite news |last=Blair |first=Elizabeth |date=March 1, 2024 |title=When celebrities show up to protest, the media follows — but so does the backlash |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/01/1232497188/israel-hamas-celebrity-activis |access-date=2024-10-29 |work=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref name="Lennard-2024">{{Cite web |last=Lennard |first=Natasha |date=March 19, 2024 |title=Even Mentioning "Occupation" at the Oscars Is Antisemitic, Some Jewish Hollywood Figures Say |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/03/19/jonathan-glazer-oscars-israel-occupation-antisemitic/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=[[The Intercept]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2023, she gave a speech at the [[March for Israel]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="Blair-2024" /><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Yan |first1=Holly |last2=Cohen |first2=Gabe |last3=Grise |first3=Katherine |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas give heart-wrenching details at the packed 'March for Israel' in DC |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/us/march-for-israel-washington-security/index.html |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Throngs gather for March for Israel rally at D.C.'s National Mall to condemn antisemitism |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/march-israel-rally-condemn-rising-antisemitism-dcs-national-mall-rcna124506 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=[[NBC News]] |language=en}}</ref> On a December 2023 trip to Israel organized by the [[Creative Community for Peace]], Messing met with members of the Israeli military and families of the [[Gaza war hostage crisis|hostages]].<ref name="Blair-2024" /><ref name="Wagmeister-2025">{{Cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=2025-02-07 |title=Debra Messing says she will never stop fighting against antisemitism: 'I don't think I've ever felt as proud of being a Jew' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/07/entertainment/debra-messing-october-8-documentary |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
 
Some social media users have expressed gratitude to Messing for sharing stories about the hostages and their families, while others have criticized her posts about the [[Gaza war]] as disregarding the [[Gaza humanitarian crisis (2023–present)|Gaza humanitarian crisis]] and the [[Palestinian casualties of war|Palestinian death toll]].<ref name="Blair-2024" /> In January 2024, Messing was criticized for mocking Palestinian journalist [[Motaz Azaiza]] over his decision to leave the [[Gaza Strip]] amid [[Killing of journalists in the Gaza war|Israel's killing of journalists]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thalen |first=Mikael |date=2024-01-25 |title='You sit inside your luxury home': Debra Messing sparks furor for mocking Palestinian journalist's decision to leave Gaza |url=https://www.dailydot.com/viral-politics/debra-messing-motaz-azaiza-evacuate-gaza-controversy/ |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=[[The Daily Dot]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
Messing has also signed open letters related to the Gaza war, including letters criticizing [[Jonathan Glazer]]'s Oscars acceptance speech for [[The Zone of Interest (film)|''The Zone of Interest'']],<ref name="Lennard-2024" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tracy |first=Marc |date=March 19, 2024 |title=Jewish Film Professionals Denounce Speech by 'Zone of Interest' Director |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/movies/jonathan-glazer-open-letter.html |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shoard |first=Catherine |date=March 19, 2024 |title=Jonathan Glazer: more than 450 Jewish creatives denounce Oscars speech in open letter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/mar/19/jonathan-glazer-more-than-450-jewish-creatives-denounce-oscars-speech-in-open-letter-zone-of-interest |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> [[Bisan Owda]]'s Emmy nomination,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tracy |first=Marc |date=August 20, 2024 |title=News Emmys Defend Nomination of Palestinian Journalist |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/arts/emmys-bisan-owda-gaza-al-jazeera.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240820222626/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/arts/emmys-bisan-owda-gaza-al-jazeera.html |archive-date=August 20, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Maimann |first=Kevin |date=August 21, 2024 |title=News Emmys stand by nomination of Palestinian journalist's documentary |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/bisan-owda-documentary-1.7300955 |work=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2024 |title=Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda wins Emmy Award despite backlash from industry pros |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/bisan-owda-gaza-journalist-emmy-award-b2619380.html |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Film Workers for Palestine]] boycott of Israeli film institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=October 18, 2025 |title=There's a ceasefire — but Hollywood’s fight over Israel and Gaza still rages |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/18/entertainment/israel-palestine-boycott-javier-bardem |access-date=November 4, 2025 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=September 25, 2025 |title=Liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik, Debra Messing Among 1,200 Industry Names Rejecting Israeli Film Boycott in New Open Letter: It 'Advocates' for the 'Erasure of Art' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/global/liev-schreiber-mayim-bialik-reject-israeli-industry-boycott-letter-1236528982/ |access-date=November 4, 2025 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref>


=== Activism ===
Messing appeared in and served as executive producer for ''[[October 8 (film)|October 8]]'', a 2025 documentary about [[antisemitism during the Gaza war]].<ref name="Wagmeister-2025" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Scheck |first=Frank |date=2025-03-12 |title='October 8' Review: Disturbing Documentary Surveys Surge in Antisemitism After Hamas Attacks |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/october-8-review-antisemitism-documentary-debra-messing-1236161351/ |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>
Messing supports the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/05/politics/democrats-frustrated-biden-lack-of-urgency-supreme-court-setbacks/index.html |title=After string of Supreme Court setbacks, Democrats wonder whether Biden White House is capable of urgency moment demands |date=2022-07-05 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=CNN |last=Dovere |first=Edward-Isaac |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705203800/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/05/politics/democrats-frustrated-biden-lack-of-urgency-supreme-court-setbacks/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, Messing started working on campaigns by knocking on doors and making phone calls.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2023 |title='Register a Friend' Day seeks to boost civic engagement |url=https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/-register-a-friend-day-seeks-to-boost-civic-engagement-193197637510 |access-date=September 20, 2023 |website=Morning Joe (MSNBC) |archive-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919203552/https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/-register-a-friend-day-seeks-to-boost-civic-engagement-193197637510 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Messing and [[Mandana Dayani]] founded a nonpartisan organization called "I am a voter." to educate and mobilize voters.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=October 7, 2020 |title=Debra Messing and Mandana Dayani want to make voting sexy |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/gma3/video/debra-messing-mandana-dayani-make-voting-sexy-73481354 |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Good Morning America |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115121103/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/gma3/video/debra-messing-mandana-dayani-make-voting-sexy-73481354 |url-status=live }}</ref> Before the [[2021 Georgia runoff election|runoff election in Georgia in 2021]], Messing posted a message on Instagram directing followers to [[VoteRiders]] for information on voter ID requirements and assistance with obtaining an ID to vote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2020 |title=Debra Messing on Instagram: "Georgia is one of the strictest voter ID states in the country. For Georgians voting in person- ID is required to cast a ballot and 820,000 Georgians currently do not have govn't issued ID. Most likely to be affected by ID rules: Black voters, young voters, women, Latinx voters, voters with disabilities, Trans voters, voters over 65, voters with lower income @thevoteriders provides FREE HELP to ALL Georgians who need to get their ID in check! Go to VoteRiders.org for more information. #idcheck #Georgia #georgiaonmymind #election #vote #voterid #senate #jonossoff #raphaelwarnock #johnlewis #votingrights #civil rights #Atlanta #GwinnettCounty #CobbCounty" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CI_UMLtnGXA/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Instagram |language=en |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140749/https://www.instagram.com/p/CI_UMLtnGXA/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Messing has been a vocal supporter of Israel since the [[October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Blair |first=Elizabeth |date=2024-03-01 |title=When celebrities show up to protest, the media follows — but so does the backlash |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/01/1232497188/israel-hamas-celebrity-activis |access-date=2024-10-29 |work=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lennard |first=Natasha |date=2024-03-19 |title=Even Mentioning "Occupation" at the Oscars Is Antisemitic, Some Jewish Hollywood Figures Say |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/03/19/jonathan-glazer-oscars-israel-occupation-antisemitic/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}}</ref> She gave a speech at the [[March for Israel]] in Washington, DC.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Yan |first1=Holly |last2=Cohen |first2=Gabe |last3=Grise |first3=Katherine |date=2023-11-14 |title=Families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas give heart-wrenching details at the packed 'March for Israel' in DC |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/us/march-for-israel-washington-security/index.html |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-14 |title=Throngs gather for March for Israel rally at D.C.'s National Mall to condemn antisemitism |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/march-israel-rally-condemn-rising-antisemitism-dcs-national-mall-rcna124506 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Messing met [[Daniel Zelman]], an actor and screenwriter, on their first day as graduate students at [[New York University]] in 1990. They were married on September 3, 2000, and lived in [[Manhattan]]. They have a son.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.superiorpics.com/debra_messing/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919013306/http://www.superiorpics.com/debra_messing/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 19, 2012 |title=The Debra Messing Picture Pages |website=Superiorpics.com |access-date=April 7, 2010}}</ref> In 2011, she and Zelman separated,<ref>{{cite news|last=Finn|first=Natalie|date=2011-12-20|title=The Finished Wife: Debra Messing and Husband Separate|journal=[[E! News]]|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/finished_wife_debra_messing_husband/282031|access-date=December 20, 2011|archive-date=April 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409184922/http://www.eonline.com/news/finished_wife_debra_messing_husband/282031|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Shira|first=Dahvi|date=2012-06-05|title=Debra Messing Files for Divorce|url=https://people.com/celebrity/debra-messing-files-for-divorce/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=People|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606180912/https://people.com/celebrity/debra-messing-files-for-divorce/|url-status=live}}</ref> and were officially divorced in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Judge ends Debra Messing's marriage to writer-producer |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/tv/article63641017.html |agency=[[Associated Press]] |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307184903/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/tv/article63641017.html |archive-date=March 7, 2016}}</ref> Messing dated her ''Smash'' co-star [[Will Chase]] from the end of 2011 to October 2014.<ref>{{cite news |first=Melody |last=Chiu |title=Debra Messing and Will Chase Split |url=http://www.people.com/article/debra-messing-will-chase-break-up |journal=People |date=October 27, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421231319/http://www.people.com/article/debra-messing-will-chase-break-up |url-status=live }}</ref>  


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 66: Line 74:
! Title
! Title
! Role
! Role
! Notes
|-
|-
|1995
|1995
|''{{sortname|A|Walk in the Clouds}}''
|''{{sortname|A|Walk in the Clouds}}''
|Betty Sutton
|Betty Sutton
|
|-
|-
|1997
|1997
|''[[McHale's Navy (1997 film)|McHale's Navy]]''
|''[[McHale's Navy (1997 film)|McHale's Navy]]''
|Lt. Penelope Carpenter  
|Lt. Penelope Carpenter  
|
|-
|-
|1998
|1998
|''[[Celebrity (1998 film)|Celebrity]]''
|''[[Celebrity (1998 film)|Celebrity]]''
|TV reporter
|TV reporter
|
|-
|-
| rowspan=2| 2002
| rowspan=2| 2002
|''{{sortname|The|Mothman Prophecies|The Mothman Prophecies (film)}}''
|''{{sortname|The|Mothman Prophecies|The Mothman Prophecies (film)}}''
|Mary Klein
|Mary Klein
|
|-
|-
|''[[Hollywood Ending]]''
|''[[Hollywood Ending]]''
|Lori
|Lori
|
|-
|-
|2003
|2003
|''[[Marion's Triumph]]''
|''[[Marion's Triumph]]''
| Narrator
| Narrator
|
|-
|-
|rowspan=2| 2004
|rowspan=2| 2004
|''[[Along Came Polly]]''
|''[[Along Came Polly]]''
|Lisa Kramer
|Lisa Kramer
|
|-
|-
|''[[Garfield: The Movie|Garfield]]''
|''[[Garfield: The Movie|Garfield]]''
|Arlene
|Arlene (voice)
|
|-
|-
|2005
|2005
|''{{sortname|The|Wedding Date}}''
|''{{sortname|The|Wedding Date}}''
|Kat Ellis
|Kat Ellis
|
|-
|-
|2006
|2006
|''[[Open Season (2006 film)|Open Season]]''
|''[[Open Season (2006 film)|Open Season]]''
|Beth
|Beth (voice)
|
|-
|-
|rowspan=2| 2007
|rowspan=2| 2007
|''[[Purple Violets]]''
|''[[Purple Violets]]''
|Kate Scott
|Kate Scott
|
|-
|-
|''[[Lucky You (film)|Lucky You]]''
|''[[Lucky You (film)|Lucky You]]''
|Suzanne Offer
|Suzanne Offer
|
|-
|-
| rowspan=2| 2008
| rowspan=2| 2008
|''{{sortname|The|Women|The Women (2008 film)}}''
|''{{sortname|The|Women|The Women (2008 film)}}''
|Edie Cohen
|Edie Cohen
|
|-
|-
|''[[Nothing like the Holidays]]''
|''[[Nothing like the Holidays]]''
|Sarah Rodriguez
|Sarah Rodriguez
|
|-
|-
|2014
|2014
|''[[Like Sunday, Like Rain]]''
|''[[Like Sunday, Like Rain]]''
|Barbara
|Barbara
|
|-
|-
|2016
|2016
|''Albion: The Enchanted Stallion''
|''Albion: The Enchanted Stallion''
|The Queen
|The Queen
|
|-
|-
|2018
|2018
|''[[Searching (film)|Searching]]''
|''[[Searching (film)|Searching]]''
|Detective Sergeant Rosemary Vick
|Detective Sergeant Rosemary Vick
|
|-
|-
| rowspan=2| 2020
| rowspan=2| 2020
| ''[[Irresistible (2020 film)|Irresistible]]''
| ''[[Irresistible (2020 film)|Irresistible]]''
| Babs Garnett
| Babs Garnett
|
|-
|-
| ''[[The Dark Divide]]''
| ''[[The Dark Divide]]''
| Thea Linnea Pyle
| Thea Linnea Pyle
|
|-
|-
| rowspan=2| 2022
| rowspan=2| 2022
| ''[[13: The Musical]]''
| ''[[13: The Musical]]''
| Jessica Goldman
| Jessica Goldman
|
|-
|-
| ''[[Bros (film)|Bros]]''
| ''[[Bros (film)|Bros]]''
| rowspan="2" | Herself<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/18/movies/bros-billy-eichner.html|title=Crafting a Rom-Com That's True to 21st-Century Gay Life|first=Alexis|last=Soloski|work=The New York Times|date=May 18, 2022|accessdate=June 16, 2022|archive-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518090919/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/18/movies/bros-billy-eichner.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Herself<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/18/movies/bros-billy-eichner.html|title=Crafting a Rom-Com That's True to 21st-Century Gay Life|first=Alexis|last=Soloski|work=The New York Times|date=May 18, 2022|accessdate=June 16, 2022|archive-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518090919/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/18/movies/bros-billy-eichner.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
|-
| rowspan=2| 2025
| rowspan=2| 2025
| ''[[October H8TE]]''
| ''[[October 8 (film)|October 8]]''
|Herself<ref name=":0" />
|Documentary; also executive producer
|-
|-
| ''[[The Alto Knights]]''
| ''[[The Alto Knights]]''
| Bobbie Costello
| Bobbie Costello
|
|}
|}


Line 171: Line 204:
|-
|-
|1995–97
|1995–97
|''[[Ned & Stacey]]''
|''[[Ned and Stacey]]''
|Stacey Colbert
|Stacey Colbert
| Main role
| Main role
Line 185: Line 218:
| rowspan="2" | Main role
| rowspan="2" | Main role
|-
|-
|1998–2006<br>2017–20
|1998–2006,<br>2017–20
|''[[Will & Grace]]''
|''[[Will & Grace]]''
|[[Grace Adler]]
|[[Grace Adler]]
Line 196: Line 229:
|2002
|2002
|''[[King of the Hill]]''
|''[[King of the Hill]]''
|Mrs. Hilgren-Bronson
|Mrs. Hilgren-Bronson (voice)
|Episode: "[[King of the Hill (season 7)|Get Your Freak Off]]"
|Episode: "[[King of the Hill (season 7)|Get Your Freak Off]]"
|-
|-
Line 205: Line 238:
|-
|-
|2007  
|2007  
| rowspan="2" |''[[The Starter Wife (miniseries)|The Starter Wife]]''
|[[The Starter Wife (miniseries)|''The Starter Wife'']]
| rowspan="2" | Molly Kagan
| rowspan="2" | Molly Kagan
| Miniseries (6 episodes)
| Miniseries (6 episodes)
|-
|-
|2008
|2008
|[[The Starter Wife (TV series)|''The Starter Wife'']]
| Main role
| Main role
|-
|-
Line 227: Line 261:
|Main role
|Main role
|-
|-
|2014, 2016, 2019
|2014–19
|''[[Project Runway All Stars]]''
|''[[Project Runway All Stars]]''
|Herself / Guest judge
|Herself / Guest judge
Line 244: Line 278:
|2016
|2016
|''[[Match Game]]''
|''[[Match Game]]''
|1 episode
|Episode #1.1
|-
|-
|2016–17
|2016–17
Line 282: Line 316:
|2001
|2001
|{{Nominated}}
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|[[Audie Awards]]
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|[[Audie Awards]]
Line 532: Line 565:


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons|Debra Messing}}
{{Commons}}
* {{IMDb name|0005226}}
* {{IMDb name|0005226}}
* [https://www.makers.com/debra-messing Debra Messing] Video produced by ''[[Makers: Women Who Make America]]''
* [https://www.makers.com/debra-messing Debra Messing] Video produced by ''[[Makers: Women Who Make America]]''
Line 549: Line 582:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Messing, Debra}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Messing, Debra}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
Line 557: Line 589:
[[Category:Actresses from Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Actresses from Rhode Island]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American people of English-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Polish-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Polish-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent]]
Line 562: Line 595:
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American voice actresses]]
[[Category:American voice actresses]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Brandeis University alumni]]
[[Category:Brandeis University alumni]]
[[Category:Jewish American actresses]]
[[Category:Jewish American actresses]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New York (state) Democrats]]
[[Category:New York (state) Democrats]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
Line 569: Line 604:
[[Category:Rhode Island Democrats]]
[[Category:Rhode Island Democrats]]
[[Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni]]
[[Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Zionist activists]]

Latest revision as of 22:26, 22 December 2025

Template:Short description Template:Pp Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image

Debra Lynn Messing (born August 15, 1968)[1] is an American actress. After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Messing starred in the television series Ned and Stacey on Fox (1995–1997) and Prey on ABC (1998). She achieved her breakthrough role as Grace Adler, an interior designer, on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace (1998–2006, 2017–2020), for which she received seven Golden Globe Award nominations and five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, winning once, in 2003.

From 2007 to 2008, Messing starred as Molly Kagan, the ex-wife of a Hollywood film mogul, on the television miniseries The Starter Wife, for which she received two Golden Globe nominations, a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Thereafter, she appeared as Broadway playwright Julia Houston on the NBC musical drama Smash (2012–2013) and as homicide detective Laura Diamond on the NBC police-procedural comedy The Mysteries of Laura (2014–2016). From 2017 to 2020, Messing reprised her role as Grace Adler on NBC's three season revival of Will & Grace, garnering a ninth Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

Messing's film work includes A Walk in the Clouds (1995), Jesus (1999), The Mothman Prophecies (2002), Hollywood Ending (2002), Along Came Polly (2004), The Wedding Date (2005), Lucky You (2007), The Women (2008), Nothing Like the Holidays (2008), Searching (2018), 13: The Musical (2022), and The Alto Knights (2025). She has also lent her voice to animated films such as Garfield (2004) and Open Season (2006).

Early life and education

Messing was born in Brooklyn, New York,[2][3][4] the daughter of Sandra Ellen (Template:Née), who worked as a professional singer, banker, and travel and real estate agent, and Brian Messing, a sales executive for a costume jewelry packaging manufacturer. Her family is Jewish, and emigrated to the U.S. from Russia; Przecław, Poland; and London, England.[4][5][6] Messing had a Bat Mitzvah ceremony.[7][8][9] When Messing was three, she moved with her parents and her older brother, Brett, to East Greenwich, Rhode Island.[10]

While Messing's parents encouraged her dream of becoming an actress, they also urged her to complete a liberal arts education before deciding on acting as a career. Following their advice, she attended Brandeis University, where, at her parents' request, three-quarters of her courses were not theater-related.[3]

In 1990, after graduating summa cum laude from Brandeis with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts, Messing gained admission to the elite Grad Acting Program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, which accepts 16 new students annually. She earned a Master of Fine Arts after three years.[11]

Career

In 1993, Messing won acclaim for her performance as Harper in the pre-Broadway workshop production of Tony Kushner's play Angels in America: Perestroika.[2] Subsequently, she appeared in several episodes of the television series NYPD Blue during 1994 and 1995.

File:Debra Messing (April 2009) 4.jpg
Messing at the Tribeca Film Festival 2009 premiere of Whatever Works

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 Fox to make her the co-star of the television sitcom Ned & Stacey. The series lasted for two seasons, from 1995 to 1997. Messing appeared as Jerry Seinfeld's romantic interest 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 Theatre Club. She also co-starred in the Tom Arnold vehicle McHale's Navy in 1997.

In 1998, Messing played a lead role as the bioanthropologist 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 Nicollette Sheridan, who later guest-starred on the show as Grace's romantic rival. Will & Grace became a ratings success, and Messing received critical acclaim for her performance.[2]

Director Woody Allen cast Messing in a supporting role in his film Hollywood Ending (2002). Her film roles since include Richard Gere's ill-fated wife in the supernatural thriller The Mothman Prophecies (2002) and a supporting role as an unfaithful bride 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. Also in 2005, along with Megan Mullally, she was awarded the Women in Film Lucy Award in recognition of her excellence and innovation in her creative works that have enhanced the perception of women through the medium of television.[12]

She also starred in the television miniseries The Starter Wife (2007), which was nominated for ten Emmy Awards, including one for Messing for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie. In 2008, Messing reprised her role as Molly Kagan in the television series The Starter Wife, consisting of 10 episodes.[13] In early 2010, Messing starred in the ABC comedy pilot Wright vs. Wrong for the 2010–2011 primetime season, but ABC did not pick-up the pilot.[14]

In July 2011, Messing was ranked no. 22 on the TV Guide Network special, Funniest Women on TV. In February 2011, producers announced that Messing would star in a new NBC musical pilot called Smash for the 2011–2012 primetime season.[15] In May 2011, it was reported that NBC picked up the show as a series for the 2011–2012 season.[16] The show premiered on February 6, 2012. The show was later renewed for a second season after which it was cancelled.[17]

Messing appeared with Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong and Leighton Meester in Frank Whaley's drama film Like Sunday, Like Rain in 2014. For her performance, Messing won the 2014 Best Actress Award at The Williamsburg Independent Film Festival.[18]

She made her Broadway debut in John Patrick Shanley's play Outside Mullingar alongside Tony Award winner Brían F. O'Byrne, which began previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on January 3, 2014.[19] Outside Mullingar was nominated for Best Play for the 2014 (68th Annual) Tony Awards.

Messing starred in The Mysteries of Laura, a police procedural television show that premiered in September 2014. The series lasted for two seasons and ended in 2016. Messing portrayed Marjorie Houseman in the television remake of the film Dirty Dancing (1987). It aired on ABC in May 2017.[20] She starred again as Grace Adler in the revival of Will & Grace on NBC. The revival aired for three seasons, from September 2017 to April 2020.

Activism

In 2004, Messing started working on political campaigns by knocking on doors and making phone calls.[21] She has frequently criticized Donald Trump since his presidential run in 2016.[22][23] In 2018, Messing and Mandana Dayani founded a nonpartisan organization called "I am a voter" to educate and mobilize voters.[24] since July 2022Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., Messing supported the Democratic Party.[25]

Gaza war

Messing has been a vocal supporter of Israel since the October 7 attacks.[26][27] In November 2023, she gave a speech at the March for Israel in Washington, D.C.[26][28][29] On a December 2023 trip to Israel organized by the Creative Community for Peace, Messing met with members of the Israeli military and families of the hostages.[26][30]

Some social media users have expressed gratitude to Messing for sharing stories about the hostages and their families, while others have criticized her posts about the Gaza war as disregarding the Gaza humanitarian crisis and the Palestinian death toll.[26] In January 2024, Messing was criticized for mocking Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza over his decision to leave the Gaza Strip amid Israel's killing of journalists.[31]

Messing has also signed open letters related to the Gaza war, including letters criticizing Jonathan Glazer's Oscars acceptance speech for The Zone of Interest,[27][32][33] Bisan Owda's Emmy nomination,[34][35][36] and the Film Workers for Palestine boycott of Israeli film institutions.[37][38]

Messing appeared in and served as executive producer for October 8, a 2025 documentary about antisemitism during the Gaza war.[30][39]

Personal life

Messing met Daniel Zelman, an actor and screenwriter, on their first day as graduate students at New York University in 1990. They were married on September 3, 2000, and lived in Manhattan. They have a son.[40] In 2011, she and Zelman separated,[41][42] and were officially divorced in 2016.[43] Messing dated her Smash co-star Will Chase from the end of 2011 to October 2014.[44]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Script error: No such module "Sort". Betty Sutton
1997 McHale's Navy Lt. Penelope Carpenter
1998 Celebrity TV reporter
2002 Script error: No such module "Sort". Mary Klein
Hollywood Ending Lori
2003 Marion's Triumph Narrator
2004 Along Came Polly Lisa Kramer
Garfield Arlene (voice)
2005 Script error: No such module "Sort". Kat Ellis
2006 Open Season Beth (voice)
2007 Purple Violets Kate Scott
Lucky You Suzanne Offer
2008 Script error: No such module "Sort". Edie Cohen
Nothing like the Holidays Sarah Rodriguez
2014 Like Sunday, Like Rain Barbara
2016 Albion: The Enchanted Stallion The Queen
2018 Searching Detective Sergeant Rosemary Vick
2020 Irresistible Babs Garnett
The Dark Divide Thea Linnea Pyle
2022 13: The Musical Jessica Goldman
Bros Herself[45]
2025 October 8 Herself[45] Documentary; also executive producer
The Alto Knights Bobbie Costello

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1994–95 NYPD Blue Dana Abandando 3 episodes
1995 Partners Stacey Episode: "City Hall"
1995–97 Ned and Stacey Stacey Colbert Main role
1996, 1997 Seinfeld Beth Lookner Episodes: "The Wait Out" & "The Yada Yada"
1998 Prey Dr. Sloan Parker Main role
1998–2006,
2017–20 		Will & Grace Grace Adler
1999 Jesus Mary Magdalene Television film
2002 King of the Hill Mrs. Hilgren-Bronson (voice) Episode: "Get Your Freak Off"
2006, 2012 Project Runway Herself / Guest judge Season 2, Episode: "Finale – Part 2"
Season 10, Episode: "I Get a Kick Out of Fashion"
2007 The Starter Wife Molly Kagan Miniseries (6 episodes)
2008 The Starter Wife Main role
2009 Sesame Street Herself Episode: "4190"
2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Alicia Harding Episode: "Pursuit"
2012–13 Smash Julia Houston Main role
2014–19 Project Runway All Stars Herself / Guest judge 3 episodes
2014–16 The Mysteries of Laura Detective Laura Diamond Lead role
2015 Jeopardy! Herself 4 episodes
2016 Match Game Episode #1.1
2016–17 Nightcap 2 episodes
2017 Dirty Dancing Marjorie Houseman Television film

Awards and nominations

Messing's most honored role is as Grace Adler on Will & Grace, which earned her seven Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Lead Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical; five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, one of which she won in 2003; and seven Screen Actors Guild Award nominations: two for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series and five for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series – winning one in 2001.

Honors

  • 2005: Nominated for Favorite Funny Female Star by the People's Choice Awards.
  • 2005: Honored with the Lucy Award, by the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards – to recognize women and men and their creative works that have enhanced the perception of women through the medium of television.
  • 2017: Honored with the Excellence in Media Award by the GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) – to individuals in the media and entertainment industries who through their work have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.
  • 2017: Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and received a star for her contribution to Television – located at 6201 Hollywood Blvd.[46]

Accolades

Organizations Year Category Work Result
American Comedy Awards 2000 Funniest Female Performer in a Television Series Will & Grace Nominated
2001 Nominated
Audie Awards 2010 Audiobook of the Year Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales Won
Multi-Voiced Performance
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2019 Best Actress in a Comedy Television Series Will & Grace Nominated
Emmy Awards (Primetime) 2000 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2001 Nominated
2002 Nominated
2003 Won
2006 Nominated
2007 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie The Starter Wife Nominated
Gold Derby Awards 2004 Best TV Comedy Lead Actress Will & Grace Nominated
2007 Best TV Movie/Miniseries Actress The Starter Wife Nominated
Golden Globe Awards 2000 Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Will & Grace Nominated
2001 Nominated
2002 Nominated
2003 Nominated
2004 Nominated
2005 Nominated
2008 Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film The Starter Wife Nominated
2009 Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated
2019 Will & Grace Nominated
Gracie Awards 2008 Outstanding Female Lead – Miniseries The Starter Wife Won
Online Film & Television Association Awards 1999 Best Actress in a New Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
Best Ensemble in a New Comedy Series Nominated
Best Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2000 Nominated
Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
2001 Best Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
2002 Best Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
2003 Best Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2006 Won
2007 Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television The Starter Wife Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards 2022 Outstanding Actress in a Play Birthday Candles Nominated
People's Choice Awards 2005 Favorite Female Television Star Will & Grace Nominated
2015 Favorite Actress in a New Television Series The Mysteries of Laura Nominated
Satellite Awards 2002 Best Actress in a TV Series Comedy or Musical Will & Grace Won
2003 Won
2004 Nominated
2007 Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Film The Starter Wife Nominated
2008 Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical Nothing like the Holidays Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2001 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
2002 Nominated
2003 Nominated
2004 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
2005 Nominated
2008 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries The Starter Wife Nominated
Teen Choice Awards 2001 Choice TV Actress Will & Grace Nominated
2002 Choice TV Actress – Comedy Nominated
2006 Nominated
TV Guide Awards 2001 Best Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series Won
2006 Editor's Choice Award Won
2012 Favorite Comeback Smash Nominated
Viewers for Quality Television Awards 1999 Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series Will & Grace Nominated
2000 Nominated
Williamsburg Independent Film Festival 2014 Best Featured Actress Like Sunday, Like Rain Won

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b c Stated in interview on Inside the Actors Studio
  3. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b Stated on Finding Your Roots, February 25, 2025
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Template:Sister project

Script error: No such module "navboxes". Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or ComedyScript error: No such module "navboxes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Debra_Messing&oldid=4743566"