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IMDbPro

Debbie Reynolds(1932-2016)

  • Actress
  • Producer
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000403
Debbie Reynolds
Here's an intimate portrait of Hollywood royalty featuring Debbie Reynolds, Todd Fisher, and Carrie Fisher.
Play trailer1:54
Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016)
32 Videos
99+ Photos
Debbie Reynolds was born Mary Frances Reynolds in El Paso, Texas, the second child of Maxine N. (Harmon) and Raymond Francis Reynolds, a carpenter for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Her film career began at MGM after she won a beauty contest at age 16 impersonating Betty Hutton. Reynolds wasn't a dancer until she was selected to be Gene Kelly's partner in Singin' in the Rain (1952). Not yet twenty, she was a quick study. Twelve years later, it seemed like she had been around forever. Most of her early film work was in MGM musicals, as perky, wholesome young women. She continued to use her dancing skills with stage work.

She was 31 when she gave an Academy Award-nominated performance in Verraton Molly Brown (1964). She survived losing first husband Eddie Fisher to Elizabeth Taylor following the tragic death of Mike Todd. Her second husband, shoe magnate Harry Karl, gambled away his fortune as well as hers. With her children as well as Karl's, she had to keep working and turned to the stage. She had her own casino in Las Vegas with a home for her collection of Hollywood memorabilia until its closure in 1997. She took the time to personally write a long letter that is on display in the Judy Garland museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and to provide that museum with replicas of Garland's costumes. The originals are in her newly-opened museum in Hollywood.

Nearly all the money she makes is spent toward her goal of creating a Hollywood museum. Her collection numbers more than 3000 costumes and 46,000 square-feet worth of props and equipment.

With musician/actor Eddie Fisher, she was the mother of filmmaker Todd Fisher and actress Carrie Fisher. Debbie died of a stroke on December 28, 2016, one day after the death of her daughter Carrie. She was survived by her son and granddaughter, up-and-coming actress Billie Lourd.
BornApril 1, 1932
DiedDecember 28, 2016(84)
BornApril 1, 1932
DiedDecember 28, 2016(84)
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000403
  • Nominated for 1 Oscar
    • 21 wins & 43 nominations total

Hollywood Icons Through the Years

Hollywood Icons Through the Years

Take a look back at these Hollywood icons in their early days to see how far they've come in their careers.
See the gallery
Production art
Photos

Photos594

Debbie Reynolds in Madame's Place (1982)
Debbie Reynolds and Wayland Flowers in Madame's Place (1982)
Debbie Reynolds in Madame's Place (1982)
Debbie Reynolds in Laugh-In (1967)
Debbie Reynolds in Laugh-In (1967)
Debbie Reynolds and Johnny Brown in Laugh-In (1967)
Debbie Reynolds and Dan Rowan in Guest Starring Debbie Reynolds (1970)
Debbie Reynolds and Larry Hovis in Laugh-In (1967)
Debbie Reynolds, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi, and Ann Elder in Laugh-In (1967)
Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor in Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Known for:

Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor in Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Singin' in the Rain
8.3
  • Kathy Selden
  • 1952
Verraton Molly Brown (1964)
Verraton Molly Brown
6.6
  • Molly Brown
  • 1964
Kevin Kline in Ollako vai eikö olla? (1997)
Ollako vai eikö olla?
6.4
  • Berniece Brackett
  • 1997
Leslie Nielsen, Walter Brennan, and Debbie Reynolds in Tammy ja suuri maailma (1957)
Tammy ja suuri maailma
6.9
  • Tammy
  • 1957

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actress

  • Jay Leno, Maurice LaMarche, Dee Bradley Baker, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Bill Farmer, Jess Harnell, Scott Menville, Kevin Michael Richardson, Paul Rugg, Stephen Stanton, Billy West, Kelly Osbourne, and Jenny Pellicer in The 7D (2014)
    The 7D
    5.8
    TV Series
    • Great-Great-Grandmommers Whimsical (voice)
    • 2015
  • Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Elämäni Liberacen kanssa (2013)
    Elämäni Liberacen kanssa
    7.0
    • Frances Liberace
    • 2013
  • In the Picture (2012)
    In the Picture
    5.8
    Short
    • Aunt Lilith
    • 2012
  • Katherine Heigl in One for the Money (2012)
    One for the Money
    5.3
    • Grandma Mazur
    • 2012
  • Kick Buttowski Lähiön Hurjapää (2010)
    Kick Buttowski Lähiön Hurjapää
    6.7
    TV Series
    • Mary Van Der Deth (voice)
    • 2011
  • Jeff Bennett, John DiMaggio, Tom McGrath, and James Patrick Stuart in Madagascarin pingviinit (2008)
    Madagascarin pingviinit
    7.5
    TV Series
    • Granny Squirrel (voice)
    • 2010
  • Light of Olympia (2008)
    Light of Olympia
    6.2
    • Queen (voice)
    • 2008
  • Seth Green, Mila Kunis, Alex Borstein, and Seth MacFarlane in Family Guy (1999)
    Family Guy
    8.2
    TV Series
    • Mrs. Wilson (voice)
    • 2008
  • Christy Carlson Romano in Kim Possible (2002)
    Kim Possible
    7.2
    TV Series
    • Nana Possible (voice)
    • 2003–2007
  • Lolo's Cafe (2006)
    Lolo's Cafe
    4.7
    TV Short
    • Mrs. Atkins (voice)
    • 2006
  • Sara Paxton and Lucas Grabeel in Return to Halloweentown (2006)
    Return to Halloweentown
    5.3
    TV Movie
    • Agatha Cromwell
    • 2006
  • Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, and Megan Mullally in Will & Grace (1998)
    Will & Grace
    7.4
    TV Series
    • Bobbi Adler
    • 1999–2006
  • Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Lucas Grabeel, Todd Michael Schwartzman, and Eliana Reyes in Halloweentown High (2004)
    Halloweentown High
    6.0
    TV Movie
    • Aggie Cromwell
    • 2004
  • Rugrats (1991)
    Rugrats
    7.4
    TV Series
    • Lulu Pickles
    • Lulu Johnston (voice)
    • 2000–2003
  • Generation Gap
    8.0
    TV Movie
    • 2002

Producer

  • Movie Memories with Debbie Reynolds (1991)
    Movie Memories with Debbie Reynolds
    7.4
    TV Series
    • executive producer
    • 1991
  • Do It Debbie's Way (1983)
    Do It Debbie's Way
    6.9
    Video
    • executive producer
    • 1983

Writer

  • Do It Debbie's Way (1983)
    Do It Debbie's Way
    6.9
    Video
    • Writer
    • 1983

Videos32

Halloweentown Movie Series
Clip 0:55
Halloweentown Movie Series
Halloweentown Movie Series
Clip 1:05
Halloweentown Movie Series
Trailer
Trailer 2:39
Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 3:29
Official Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 3:30
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 2:06
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 2:26
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 0:51
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 2:25
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 1:30
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 2:54
Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:44
Official Trailer

Personal details

Edit
  • Official site
    • Official Site
  • Alternative name
    • Mary Frances Reynolds
  • Height
    • 1.57 m
  • Born
    • April 1, 1932
    • El Paso, Texas, USA
  • Died
    • December 28, 2016
    • Los Angeles, California, USA(following a stroke)
  • Spouses
      Richard Ronald HamlettMay 25, 1984 - May 16, 1996 (divorced)
  • Children
      Todd Fisher
  • Parents
      Raymond Francis Reynolds
  • Relatives
    • Billie Lourd(Grandchild)
  • Other works
    Single: "Aba Daba Honeymoon" (MGM Records).
  • Publicity listings
    • 5 Print Biographies
    • 4 Portrayals
    • 1 Interview
    • 20 Articles
    • 6 Pictorials
    • 399 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    She died only one day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher.
  • Quotes
    Singin' in the Rain (1952) and childbirth were the two hardest things I ever had to do in my life.
  • Trademarks
      Most of her roles contained musical performances.
  • Nicknames
    • Frannie
    • Aba Dabba
    • Debbie
  • Salaries
      Kovia otteita Arizonassa
      (1961)
      $500 .000

FAQ15

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