Deborrah Kaye "Debbie" Allen was born on January 16, 1950, in Houston, Texas, United States. She is the youngest of three children born to Andrew Arthur Allen Jr., a dentist, and Vivian Ayers Allen, a poet and dance instructor. Debbie was introduced to dance at a young age by her mother, whose passion for the arts inspired her creative pursuits. Raised in a family committed to performance and education, she cultivated a strong foundation in the arts.
After graduating from a local high school, Allen enrolled at Howard University, where she studied history, theater, and classical literature. She later attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, further honing her skills in dance and performance. Struggling initially to find work, she began teaching dance lessons from her apartment in Los Angeles before gaining traction in both acting and choreography.
Debbie Allen launched her career on Broadway, gaining early recognition for her role as Anita in the 1980 revival of the musical West Side Story. Her performance earned her a Drama Desk Award and a nomination for a Tony Award. Her portrayal in the musical Sweet Charity also garnered another Tony nomination, solidifying her presence in the theatrical community.
While she initially trained as a dancer, her expanding expertise soon included choreography and teaching, leading to influential roles behind the scenes as well as on stage. Over the years, she would guide and inspire countless performers in both dance and acting.
Allen's television debut came with a role on the 1970s sitcom Good Times, in which she played Diana, a character entangled in drug addiction. However, her breakthrough on screen came with the film Fame (1980), where she played a dance instructor. Though her role in the film was relatively brief, it set the stage for further success.
She rose to prominence in the TV adaptation of Fame, airing from 1982 to 1987, where her portrayal of Lydia Grant, a demanding but passionate dance teacher, earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations. Although she did not win in the acting category, she received Emmy Awards for her choreography on the show. Her character's iconic line, "You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here’s where you start paying — in sweat," became emblematic of her fierce yet inspirational style.
In 1981, Allen appeared in the historical drama film Ragtime, based on E.L. Doctorow’s acclaimed novel. Over the years, she has continued to receive accolades, including a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Fame and additional Emmy Awards for choreography.
| Birth Date: | 16 Jan, 1950 |
| Age: | 70 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Houston |
| Education: | Howard University University of North Carolina School of the Arts |
| Gender: | Female |
| Twitter Id: | Msdebbieallen |
| Spouse: | Norm Nixon [M. 1984] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 3 million |
