Debbie Reynolds (April 1, 1932 – December 28, 2016) was an American actress who played Grace's mother Bobbi.
Pre-Will & Grace
Born in El Paso, Texas, Reynolds is perhaps most known for her breakout role as Kathy Selden in Singin' in the Rain with Gene Kelly and as the titular character in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, for which she was nominated for the 1964 Academy Award for Best Actress.
She was married three times and has two children, including actress Carrie Fisher of Star Wars fame. During the 60s, Reynolds was involved in a scandal when her then-husband Eddie Fisher had an affair with her friend actress Elizabeth Taylor and divorced Reynolds to marry Taylor.
Reynolds granddaughter Billie Lourd appeared in Season 11 episode "Bi-plane".
Bobbi Adler
Portrayal
Awards & Nominations
Death
Reynolds suffered a stroke a day after her daughter actress Carrie Fisher died in December 27, 2016. She died the next day.
Debra Messing, who played her daughter Grace in Will & Grace, posted on Instagram:
Debbie went to be with Carrie. She always worried about her. Carrie left too soon and now they are together again. My heart is literally broken. For 8 years she was my mom. She was pure energy & light when she came on stage. She was loving, and bawdy, and playful- a consummate pro- old school and yet had the work ethic and investment in her craft of a new fiery up and comer. She was always running off to Vegas or somewhere else "on the road" to be a hoofer, to sing and dance and make people laugh. She performed 340 days out of the year. An inspiration on every level. A Legend of course, the epitome of clean cut American optimism, dancing with Gene Kelly as an equal, a warrior woman who never stopped working. A devoted mother and grandmother, and aunt and great aunt, and friend. I lost my mom a few years ago. She loved that Debbie was my TV mom. I hope they find each other and hug and kiss and my mom says, "I got you, Debbie. Carrie's waiting for you." RIP Bobbie Adler.
