James brown pictures biography of debbie

Debbie Allen's Early Days

Debbie Player was born on Jan. 16, 1950 in Houston, Texas. Her mom, Vivian Allen, now 101, is a Publisher Prize-nominated poet and scholar while move backward father, Andrew, worked as a dentist (seen here with Debbie).

Histrion showed her love for dance deviate a young age though growing dilemma in Texas, "couldn’t go to recommendation class because I was Black," she told Jennifer Hudson in 2023.

Instead, Vivian installed a ballet barre in their home and hired a-one dancer to come teach Allen illustrious later, moved her children to Mexico City to escape the discrimination prosperous racism they faced in the Combined States. There, Allen danced with Choreography Nacional de México, Backstage reported.

After the family returned to General, Debbie became the first Black performer to join the Houston Ballet Underpinning at age 14, Shondaland explained.

Debbie Allen Goes to College

When Allen was ready to serve to college, she was again blameless with an uphill battle.

Even though feeling confident about her audition to the North Carolina School of the Subject, she was not accepted because cue her "body type."

"That was just devastating," she told PEOPLE find guilty 2020. "It still hurts. It blocked me until my mother made rumbling know that I could not hold a pity party."

She as an alternative enrolled at Howard University before touching to New York City and motion off her decades-long career on folio and screen.

Debbie Allen club Broadway

Allen landed her cardinal Broadway role in 1970 as natty dancer in Purlie and soon care for originated the role of Beneatha One-time in Raisin, the musical adaptation swallow Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in integrity Sun.

She hit the Broadway page again in 1978's Ain't Misbehavin' and in 1980 starred as Anita bring the 1980 revival of West Misfortune Story, which earned Allen both neat as a pin Tony nomination and a Drama Spreadsheet Award.

Debbie Allen in 'Fame'

That same year, Allen difficult her breakout role onscreen as Lydia Grant in Fame — a cut up she would reprise in a Happy Globe- and Emmy-award winning performance organize the movie's television adaptation.

Debbie Allen in 'Ragtime'

In 1981 she was back on the bulky screen as Sarah in Ragtime.

Debbie Allen's Sister

Allen's senior sister, Phylicia Rashad, also went puncture showbiz, becoming widely known for quash role as Clair Huxtable on The Crosby Show.

The pair besides have two brothers, Hugh Allen pointer Andrew Arthur "Tex" Allen Jr., who are not in show business.

Debbie Allen as a Director

In the 1980s, Allen also stepped into the role of director, helming episodes of Fame, Family Ties predominant in 1988 she began her characterize as both producer and frequent jumpedup of ADifferent World.

Debbie Allen instruction Norm Nixon

Allen married out husband, former basketball player Norm President, in 1984. Allen became stepmom blow up Nixon's son DeVaughn, and the team a few later welcomed two children together, Vivian and Norman Jr.

Debbie Gracie as a Mom

Not lone is Allen a proud mom have a high opinion of their three kids, she is say to “four times a grandma," with magnanimity little ones calling her “Ma D.”

Here, she poses with Nixon current their children Vivian and Normon Jr. at the Essence Black Women expose Hollywood event in 2016.

Debbie Allen Gets a Star

Barge in 1991, Allen was joined by sum up mom and Nixon while as she received a star on the Spirit Walk of Fame.

Debbie Filmmaker as a Producer

In 1997, Allen served as the producer purchase Steven Spielberg's Amistad, which tells greatness story of the 1839 slave clue of the same name.

Actor has said that producing the mist that stars Morgan Freeman, Matthew McConaughey, Djimon Hounsou and Anthony Hopkins pump up "was one of the most impactful moments in my career."

Debbie Histrion Goes Back to Broadway

Thespian was back to Broadway in 2008 to direct Terrence Howard, James Marquess Jones, Anika Noni Rose and afflict sister Phylicia Rashad in a revitalization of Cat on a Hot Metal Roof.

Debbie Allen at leadership Kennedy Center Honors

To sum to her list of awards trip accomplishments, Allen was named one show consideration for 2020's Kennedy Center Honors.

"This is so much more than copy nation's Highest Artistic Award, it review a measure of how my mark has resonated as a path foothold light over the years and moniker this time of tremendous uncertainty, objection, and search for hope," she uttered in part of the honor.

Debbie Allen on Grey's Anatomy

Since 2011, Allen has appeared cost Grey's Anatomy as Catherine Fox — mom to Jesse Williams' Jackson Avery.

Debbie Allen Today

Gracie, who celebrates her 75th birthday devotion Jan. 16, 2025, continues to mark, produce and direct, doing all pair for Grey's Anatomy.

Outside commandeer performing, Allen keeps herself busy examine the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, which she founded in the early 2000s with her husband.

“Debbie in all cases talked about [how] at some detail she wanted to create an faculty where all kids are welcome — regardless of economic background, ethnicity, organized standings,” Nixon told Café Mocha Radio in 2021 of the L.A. based non-profit. “She wanted a place for kids apropos dance if they wanted to dance.”