Biography for
Debra Messing More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

15 August 1968, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Birth Name

Debra Lynn Messing

Height

5' 8" (1.73 m)

Spouse

Daniel Zelman

(3 September 2000 - present) (separated) 1 child

Trivia

Graduated from Brandeis University (Waltham, Massachusetts, USA).

Following undergraduate training, went on to earn Master's degree in Acting from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

Engaged to Daniel Zelman. [1998]

Is severely allergic to flowers and perfumes.

Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2002.

Named TV Guide's "best dressed woman" in 2003

Was Rhode Island's Junior Miss in 1986.

Gave birth to a son, Roman Walker Zelman, in Los Angeles, weighing 5lbs 14oz. [April 7, 2004]

Beat Nicollette Sheridan for the role of "Grace Adler" on "Will & Grace" (1998) at the final auditions.

Although her son Roman is not deaf, she has taught him a few words in sign language to make communication easier for him until he's more able to talk.

Appeared with her "Will & Grace" (1998) co-star, Shelley Morrison, in the "Prey" (1998) episode, "Prey: Revelations (#1.5)" (1998). While Messing was a steady member of the cast, Morrison only had a guest-starring role.

Played the leading role as Sandy in her high school musical production of "Grease".

Replaced Sherilyn Fenn as the female lead in "Prey" (1998).

Loves gambling (blackjack).

Would have been litigator if she wasn't an actress.

She has Polish and Russian roots, her grandmother was from Krakow.

MFA in Acting - New York University, Tisch School of the Arts (1993).

Sister-in-law of Aaron Zelman and Cynthia Lamontagne.

Her father, Brian Messing, is a packaging executive (jewelry packaging).

Was six months pregnant with her son, Roman Zelman, when she completed filming on the sixth season of "Will & Grace" (1998).

Returned to work three months after giving birth to her son, Roman Zelman, in order to begin filming the seventh season of "Will & Grace" (1998).

Ranked #22 on the TV Guide Network special, Funniest Women on TV (2011) (TV).

Personal Quotes

"He's the best human being I know, he makes me a better person every day. I'm never happier than when I'm with him." - Said about her husband Daniel in a Cosmopolitan interview: 2000.

I can't imagine it being more sweet. You just hope that you will get the opportunity to do what you love and pay your bills, and that is being a success as an actor. The accolades - this is otherworldly. I have never allowed myself the ability to dream this far. - On winning her first Emmy.

I'm fascinated by diamonds. When I put diamonds on, my hands start to shake.