Debra Messing biography

Debra Messing grew up with her older brother in a quiet community outside Providence, Rhode Island when their parents moved them there from the New York in hopes of giving their children a more secure childhood.

Debra sang and danced from an early age and there was little doubt she would make her career in some area of the entertainment industry. Growing up, Debra went to performing arts and sailing camps, and in her teens, took a tour of the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Although determined to follow the way of the thespian, Debra's mother, even though she believed in her daughter's career choice, wisely instructed Debra to get a more formal education. So on completion of high school, Debra made her way to Brandeis University where she majored in theater arts, and spent half of her junior year studying in London's prestigious B.E.S.G.L. program. Later she was accepted into New York University's elite Graduate Acting Program and received her M.F.A. three years later.

Debra first grabbed the attention of audiences in 1994 as Donna Abandando's sexpot sister, Dana, on "NYPD Blue". One year later came the stint on the short-lived sitcom "Ned and Stacey". That was followed by several guest appearances on various television shows, including yet another fly-by-night series, "Prey". But Debra's destiny became apparent when executive producers, Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, cast her in "Will & Grace". When not working, Debra supports such charities as the Gay Men's Health Crisis, AmFAR and Best Friend's Pet Sanctuary.