Allen was born in Houston, Texas, the third child of orthodontist Andrew Arthur Allen and artist, poet, playwright, scholar, and publisher, Vivian (née Ayers) Allen. She earned a B.A. degree in classical Greek literature, speech, and theater from Howard University and studied acting at HB Studio in New York City. She was a member of Chi Delta Mu Health Professional Fraternity. She holds honoris causa doctorates from Howard University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
January 16, 1950 • 76 y.o.
| Full Name | Deborrah Kaye Allen |
| Place of Birth | Houston Texas, USA |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Career | 1976 — ... |
| Genres | Drama, Romance, Comedy |
| Height | 1.57 m 5′ 2″ |
| Zodiac sign | capricorn |
| Education | University: Howard University |
| Family | father: Andrew Allen mother: Vivian Ayers Allen |
Facts
Videos Stills Posters Filming Promo Screenshots
Top Rated Shows
- Drama 29%
- Comedy 16%
- Mystery 6%
- Family 6%
- Fantasy 5%
- Reset
1 
2026 — ...
Comedy
United States • Debbie Allen
2 
2022
1 episode, 2022
Drama, 53 min
United States • Hanelle M. Culpepper...
3 
2021 — ...
3 Episodes, 2021–2023
Comedy, Drama, 30 min
United States • Mary Lou Belli...
4 
2020
Musical, Comedy, Family, 1 hr 38 min
United States • Debbie Allen
5 
2018 — 2022
1 episode, 2018
Drama, Music, 50 min
United States • Dawn Wilkinson...
6 
2016 — 2021
1 episode, 2016
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 30 min
United States • Melina Matsoukas...
7 
2015 — 2020
1 episode, 2015
Drama, Music, 42 min
United States • Sanaa Hamri...
8
2014
1 hr 30 min
United States • Debbie Allen
9
2014 — 2019
2 Episodes, 2014–2015
Comedy, Drama, 1 hour
United States • Melanie Mayron...
10
2014 — 2017
Comedy, Drama, Sport, 30 min
United States • Victor Levin...
11
2014 — 2020
1 episode, 2014
Crime, Drama, Mystery, 43 min
United States • Bill D'Elia...
12
2013 — 2014
1 episode, 2014
Horror, Drama, Fantasy, 43 min
United States • Allan Arkush...
13
2012 — 2018
3 Episodes, 2014–2015
Drama, Thriller, 43 min
United States • Tom Verica...
14
2012 — 2013
1 episode, 2013
Crime, Drama, 43 min
United States • Allan Arkush...
15
2011 — 2014
3 Episodes, 2013
Comedy, Romance, 22 min
United States • Leonard R. Garner Jr....
16
2010 — 2011
2 Episodes, 2010–2011
Comedy, Drama, 43 min
United States, Canada • Allan Arkush...
17
2009 — 2010
3 Episodes, 2009-2010
Family, 22 min
United States • Bentley Kyle Evans...
18
2007 — 2013
1 episode, 2013
Drama, Romance, War, 43 min
United States • John T. Kretchmer...
19
2006 — 2015
1 episode, 2008
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 22 min
United States • Salim Akil...
20
2006
Documentary, Biography, 1 hr 15 min
United States • Debbie Allen
21
2006
Biography, Drama, Music, 1 hr 28 min
United States • Debbie Allen
22
2005 — 2009
10 Episodes, 2006–2009
Comedy, Drama, Music, 22 min
United States • Jerry Levine...
23
2005 — ...
Drama, Romance, 43 min
United States • Rob Corn...
24
2004
Comedy, 1 hr 30 min
United States • Debbie Allen...
25
2003 — 2007
44 Episodes, 2003–2007
Comedy, 22 min
United States • Debbie Allen...
26
2003 — 2007
5 Episodes, 2004–2006
Comedy, Family, Fantasy, 22 min
United States • Richard Correll...
27
2002 — 2003
1 episode, 2003
Sci-Fi, Horror, Drama, 22 min
United States, Canada • John T. Kretchmer...
28
2002
1 episode, 2002
Documentary, History, 1 hour
United States, Canada • Debbie Allen...
29
2001 — 2004
1 episode, 2001
Drama, 1 hr 30 min
United States • Debbie Allen
30
2001
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 1 hr 27 min
United States • Debbie Allen
31
2000 — 2008
9 Episodes, 2005–2008
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 22 min
United States • Sheldon Epps...
32
1999
United States • Debbie Allen
33
1999 — 2023
1 episode, 2003
Comedy, 20 min
United States • Tony Singletary...
34
1998
Family
United States • Debbie Allen
35
1998 — 2000
1 episode, 1998
Comedy, Drama, 30 min
United States • Tim Reid...
36
1997 — 1999
2 Episodes, 1997
Comedy, 25 min
United States • Matthew Diamond...
37
1996 — 2001
2 Episodes, 1997–1998
Comedy, 30 min
United States • Shelley Jensen...
38
38
Out-of-Sync
1995
Crime, Drama, 1 hr 45 min
United States • Debbie Allen
39
1993 — 1994
7 Episodes, 1993-1994
Comedy, Family, 30 min
United States • Chuck Vinson...
40
1993
Documentary, Comedy, 1 hour
United States • Debbie Allen
41
41
The Boys
1992
Musical, Comedy, Drama, 1 hour
United States • Debbie Allen
42
1992
Drama, 1 hr 35 min
United States • Debbie Allen
43
1990
Musical, Family, 1 hr 40 min
United States • Debbie Allen
44
1990 — 1996
2 Episodes, 1990
Comedy, 22 min
United States • Shelley Jensen...
45
1989 — 1993
Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, 45 min
United States • James Whitmore Jr....
46
1989
Music, 1 hour
United States • Debbie Allen
47
1987 — 1993
83 Episodes, 1988–1993
Comedy, 22 min
United States • Debbie Allen...
48
1987 — 1988
1 episode, 1987
Drama, 1 hour
United States • Win Phelps...
49
1982 — 1989
2 Episodes, 1987–1988
Comedy, Drama, Family, 22 min
United States • Sam Weisman...
50
50
Fame TV Show
1982 — 1987
10 Episodes, 1984–1987
Musical, Drama, Music, 43 min
United States, Italy, United Kingdom • Robert Scheerer...
51
1954 — 2001
1 episode, 1989
Adventure, Drama, Family, 2 hours
United States • Hamilton Luske...
1
1
Splinter
Mrs. James
Drama, 1 hr 25 min
United States • Rio Contrada
2
Vivian White
Musical
United States • Darren Denison
3
2024 — ... — Mama Wheeler
1 episode, 2024
Action, Crime, Drama, 51 min
United States • Craig Brewer...
4
2023 — narrator
Documentary, 1 hr 12 min
United States • Elliot V. Kotek
5
2022 — ... — Myrtle, voice
2 Episodes, 2022–2023
Animation, Adventure, Comedy, 30 min
United States, Philippines • Latoya Raveneau...
6
2020 — Expert
Documentary, 1 hr 34 min
United States
7
2017 — 2025 — Charice Harrelson
12 Episodes, 2018–2023
Action, Adventure, Crime, 43 min
United States • Billy Gierhart...
8
2017 — 2023 — Aunt Maureen
1 episode, 2018
Comedy, Family, 22 min
United States • Leonard R. Garner Jr....
9
2015 — 2022 — Dorothy
1 episode, 2020
Comedy, Drama, 30 min
United States • Rebecca Asher...
10
2014
1 hr 30 min
United States • Debbie Allen
11
2014 — 2019 — Beverly Flores
Comedy, Drama, 1 hour
United States • Melanie Mayron...
12
2013 — Rose
Drama, 1 hr 40 min
United States • Daniel Yost
13
2011
Short, Documentary, 19 min
United States
14
14
Grace
2011 — Helen Grace
Drama, Music, 1 hour
United States • Lesli Linka Glatter
15
2011 — Eva Monroe
1 episode, 2012
Short, Comedy, Drama, 15 min
United States • Jeanette L. McDuffie
16
2011 — 2014 — Cougar
1 episode, 2013
Comedy, Romance, 22 min
United States • Leonard R. Garner Jr....
17
2010 — Reggie's Mama
1 episode, 2010
Comedy, 6 min
United States • Todd Pellegrino
18
2009 — ... — Dr. Catherine Fox (video)
1 episode, 2018
Drama, 20 min
United States • Sarah Drew...
19
19
Next Day Air
2009 — Ms. Jackson
Action, Comedy, Crime, 1 hr 24 min
United States • Benny Boom
20
20
Fame
2009 — Ms. Angela Simms
Musical, Drama, Romance, 1 hr 47 min
United States • Kevin Tancharoen
21
2008
Documentary, 1 hr 49 min
United States • Pamela J. Richardson
22
2007 — Rhonda Dillins
Drama, Sport, 1 hr 28 min
United States • Don Abernathy
23
2006 — American Idol Auditionee in Sunglasses, uncredited
Biography, Drama, Music, 1 hr 28 min
United States • Debbie Allen
24
2005 — 2009 — Mother / Gun Woman
2 Episodes, 2006–2007
Comedy, Drama, Music, 22 min
United States • Jerry Levine...
25
Sledge: The Untold Story, 2005 — Deity, herself
Musical, Action, Comedy, 1 hr 23 min
Austria, United States • Brad Martin
26
2005 — ... — Dr. Catherine Fox
Drama, Romance, 43 min
United States • Rob Corn...
27
2004 — 2006 — The Dance Instructor Hero, voice
1 episode, 2005
Animation, Adventure, Family, 30 min
United States, South Korea, India • Denis Morella...
28
2003 — 2007 — Kate
1 episode, 2004
Comedy, 22 min
United States • Debbie Allen...
29
29
The Painting
2001 — Bertha Lee Gilmore
Drama, Romance, 1 hr 37 min
United States • Peter Manoogian...
30
2001 — Ruth
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 1 hr 40 min
United States • Christine Swanson
31
2001 — 2004 — Quilly McGrath
1 episode, 2001
Drama, 1 hr 30 min
United States • Debbie Allen
32
2001 — Quilly (nee 'Queen Esther')
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 1 hr 27 min
United States • Debbie Allen
33
2001 — 2004 — Wanda
Crime, Drama, Mystery, 43 min
United States • Aaron Lipstadt...
34
2000 — Librarian
Comedy, Drama, 1 hr 32 min
United States • Matthew Miele
35
1999 — narrator
Documentary
United States • Karen Robinson Hunte
36
1999 — Deloris Jordan
Biography, Drama, Sport, 1 hr 31 min
United States • Alan Metzger
37
1996 — 2000 — Debra
1 episode, 1997
Comedy, 30 min
United States • Don Scardino...
38
1996 — 1997
Animation, Comedy, Family, 22 min
United States, Germany • Swinton O. Scott III...
39
39
Out-of-Sync
1995 — Manicurist
Crime, Drama, 1 hr 45 min
United States • Debbie Allen
40
1995 — 1999 — Jackie Warren
26 Episodes, 1995–1996
Comedy, 30 min
United States • John Tracy...
41
1995 — 2000 — Precious / Lola, voice
2 Episodes, 1995–1997
Animation, Adventure, Comedy, 22 min
United States • Vincent Waller...
42
1994 — 2003 — Valerie Hill
Drama, Family, Fantasy, 43 min
United States • Peter H. Hunt...
43
1994 — 1994, herself
Comedy, 1 hour
United States • Joel Paley
44
1994 — Betty
Comedy, Drama, Thriller, 1 hr 31 min
Germany, United States • Donald Reiker
45
45
Blank Check
1994 — Yvonne
Comedy, Crime, Family, 1 hr 33 min
United States • Rupert Wainwright
46
1993 — 1994 — Debbie Allen
2 Episodes, 1994
Comedy, Family, 30 min
United States • Chuck Vinson...
47
1992 — Honoree, herself
Family, 2 hours
United States • Bruce Gowers
48
1992 — Estelle
Drama, 1 hr 35 min
United States • Debbie Allen
49
1991 — Sunday Chase
Short, Comedy, 30 min
United States • Hugh Wilson
50
1989 — 1993 — Joanna Chapman
Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, 45 min
United States • James Whitmore Jr....
51
1987 — 1993 — Dr. Langhorne / Debbie Allen
3 Episodes, 1991–1992
Comedy, 22 min
United States • Debbie Allen...
52
1986 — Michelle
Biography, Comedy, Drama, 1 hr 37 min
United States • Richard Pryor
53
1985
Musical, 46 min
United States • Robert Iscove
54
1984 — 1992 — Emma
1 episode, 1988
Comedy, Family, Romance, 22 min
United States • Jay Sandrich...
55
1984 — Regina Brown
3 Episodes, 1984
Drama, 1 hr 44 min
United States • Paul Wendkos
56
1983 — Carol Freeman
Drama, 1 hr 40 min
United States • William A. Graham
57
1982
Family, 1 hour
United States • Walter C. Miller
58
1982 — Red Queen
Musical, Family, Fantasy, 1 hr 12 min
United States • Emile Ardolino
59
59
Ragtime
1981 — Sarah
Drama, 2 hr 35 min
United States • Milos Forman
60
1981 — 1996 — herself
Comedy, 30 min
United States • Douglas Wellman...
61
1980 — ... — voice
Animation, Comedy, Family
United States • George Newall...
62
62
Fame
1980 — Lydia
Musical, Drama, Music, 2 hr 14 min
United States • Alan Parker
63
1979 — Ola
Comedy, Sport, 1 hr 42 min (in credits: Debra Allen)
United States • Gilbert Moses
64
1979 — Claire 'Ebony' Bryant
Drama, 1 hr 30 min
United States • John Llewellyn Moxey
65
1979 — Nan Branch Haley
Biography, Drama, History, 2 hours
United States • John Erman...
66
1977 — Julie Sutton
Drama, Sport, 1 hr 40 min (in credits: Deborah Allen)
United States • Gilbert Moses
67
1977 — 1987 — Reesa Marlowe / Selena Moore
3 Episodes, 1979–1983
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 43 min
United States • Richard Kinon...
68
1974 — 1979 — Diana Buchanan
2 Episodes, 1976
Comedy, 30 min (in credits: Deborah Allen)
United States • Gerren Keith...
1
executive producer
Drama
United States
2
2026 — ... — executive producer
Comedy
United States • Debbie Allen
3
2024 — executive producer
Music, 1 hr 25 min
United States • Leon Knoles...
4
2022 — executive producer
Documentary, 1 hr 38 min
United States, France • Harriet Marin
5
2020 — executive produced by: Stage production
Documentary, Family, 1 hr 20 min
United States • Oliver Bokelberg
6
2020 — executive producer
Musical, Comedy, Family, 1 hr 38 min
United States • Debbie Allen
7
2019 — executive producer
Documentary, Music, 1 hr 33 min
United States • John Carluccio
8
2017 — executive producer
6 Episodes, 2017
Short, Family, Reality TV, 10 min
United States • Whitney Clinkscales
9
2013
Drama, 1 hr 40 min
United States • Daniel Yost
10
2010 — executive producer
Short, 11 min
United States • Tara Bordeaux
11
2010 — executive producer
Short, 5 min
United States • Tara Bordeaux
12
2009 — 2010 — executive producer
10 Episodes, 2009-2010
Family, 22 min
United States • Bentley Kyle Evans...
13
2005 — ... — executive producer
118 Episodes, 2015-2020
Drama, Romance, 43 min
United States • Rob Corn...
14
14
Fame TV Show
2003
Family, Music, Reality TV, 1 hour
United States • Jeff Margolis
15
2002 — executive producer
Documentary, History, 1 hour
United States, Canada • Debbie Allen...
16
16
The Painting
2001 — executive producer
Drama, Romance, 1 hr 37 min
United States • Peter Manoogian...
17
2001 — 2004 — co-executive producer
1 episode, 2001
Drama, 1 hr 30 min
United States • Debbie Allen
18
2001 — executive producer
Comedy, Drama, Romance, 1 hr 27 min
United States • Debbie Allen
19
1998 — executive producer
Family
United States • Debbie Allen
20
1997 — executive producer
Documentary, 45 min
United States • Chris Harty
21
21
Amistad
1997
Biography, Drama, History, 2 hr 35 min
United States • Steven Spielberg
22
22
The Boys
1992 — executive producer
Musical, Comedy, Drama, 1 hour
United States • Debbie Allen
23
1991 — executive producer
Short, Comedy, 30 min
United States • Hugh Wilson
24
1987 — 1993
122 Episodes, 1988–1993
Comedy, 22 min
United States • Debbie Allen...
25
25
Fame TV Show
1982 — 1987 — co-producer, producer: stage show
26 Episodes, 1983–1985
Musical, Drama, Music, 43 min
United States, Italy, United Kingdom • Robert Scheerer...
1
2006
Documentary, Biography, 1 hr 15 min
United States • Debbie Allen
2
1989
Music, 1 hour
United States • Debbie Allen
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