She was a member of Chi Delta Mu Health Professional Fraternity. degree in classical Greek literature, speech, and theater from Howard University and studied acting at HB Studio in New York City. She is the younger sister of actress/director/singer Phylicia Rashad.Īllen was born in Houston, Texas, the third child of orthodontist Andrew Arthur Allen and Pulitzer Prize-nominated artist, poet, playwright, scholar, and publisher, Vivian (née Ayers) Allen. She also taught choreography to former Los Angeles Lakers dancer-turned-singer, Paula Abdul. In 2001, Allen opened the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, where she currently teaches young dancers. She has directed more than 50 television and film productions.

Catherine Avery in the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy also serving as an executive producer/director. She returned to acting playing the leading role in the NBC sitcom In the House from 1995 to 1996, and in 2011 began playing Dr. Allen later began working as director and producer, most notably producing and directing 83 of 144 episodes of NBC comedy series A Different World (1988-1993).

For this role in 1983 she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy and two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography and was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She has been nominated 20 times for an Emmy Award (winning five), two Tony Awards, and has also won a Golden Globe Award and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.Īllen is best known for her work in the musical-drama television series Fame (1982-1987), where she portrayed dance teacher Lydia Grant, and served as the series' principal choreographer. 3, including DeVaughn Nixon and Vivian Nixonġ982 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography ( Fame)ġ982 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy ( Fame)ġ983 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography ( Fame)ġ991 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography ( Motown 30: What's Goin' On!)ĭeborah Kaye Allen (born January 16, 1950) is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, director, producer, and a former member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

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