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{{Actor_Infobox|title1 = Debra Messing|image1 = emmy_debra.jpg|full_name = Debra Lynn Messing|born = August 15, 1968|spouse = Daniel Zelman (m. 2000; div. 2016)|children = Roman Walker Zelman|alma_mater = Brandeis University<br>
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{{Actor_Infobox|title1 = Debra Messing|image1 = emmy_debra.jpg|full_name = Debra Lynn Messing|born = August 15, 1968|spouse = Daniel Zelman (2000-16)|children = Roman Walker Zelman|alma_mater = Brandeis University<br>
 
NYU Tisch School of the Arts|role(s) = [http://garfield.wikia.com/wiki/Debra_Messing Garfield] (2004)<br>
 
NYU Tisch School of the Arts|role(s) = [http://garfield.wikia.com/wiki/Debra_Messing Garfield] (2004)<br>
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Starter_Wife_(miniseries) The Starter Wife] (2007-2008)<br>
+
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Starter_Wife_(miniseries) The Starter Wife] (2007-08)<br>
[http://smash.wikia.com/wiki/Debra_Messing Smash] (2012-2013)<br>
+
[http://smash.wikia.com/wiki/Debra_Messing Smash] (2012-13)<br>
[http://themysteriesoflaura.wikia.com/wiki/Laura_Diamond The Mysteries of Laura] (2014-2016)}}'''Debra Messing '''is an American actress who portrayed [[Grace Adler]] in [http://willandgrace.wikia.com/wiki/Will_and_Grace_Wiki Will & Grace].
+
[http://themysteriesoflaura.wikia.com/wiki/Laura_Diamond The Mysteries of Laura] (2014-16)}}'''Debra Messing '''is an American actress who portrayed [[Grace Adler]] in [http://willandgrace.wikia.com/wiki/Will_and_Grace_Wiki Will & Grace].
   
 
== Grace Adler ==
 
== Grace Adler ==
Messing, who idolizes Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, did not want to play Grace as the "pristine" and "pretty, straight" woman but rather enjoyed more physical comedy in her portrayal.<ref>American Jewish Life Magazine, <strong>Gerri Miller. March-April 2006. </strong>LADY OF GRACE. Actress Debra Messing speaks candidly on motherhood, her Judaism, and saying farewell to Will & Grace. www.ajlmagazine.com/content/032006/messing.html</ref>
 
 
 
=== Casting ===
 
=== Casting ===
 
Messing was playing the lead in ABC's sci-fi series [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prey_(TV_series) Prey] when she was asked to audition for the role of Grace. She admits she was unsure if she wanted the role because she had been working for five straight years at that point and was thinking of taking a break.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0laOeagQ7g Will and Grace Cast Interview on Charlie Rose (2000)]</ref> However, she had a goal to work on an NBC sitcom with director [[James Burrows]] so she decided to try for the part.
 
Messing was playing the lead in ABC's sci-fi series [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prey_(TV_series) Prey] when she was asked to audition for the role of Grace. She admits she was unsure if she wanted the role because she had been working for five straight years at that point and was thinking of taking a break.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0laOeagQ7g Will and Grace Cast Interview on Charlie Rose (2000)]</ref> However, she had a goal to work on an NBC sitcom with director [[James Burrows]] so she decided to try for the part.
   
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicollette_Sheridan Nicollette Sheridan], who would later make a guest appearance as [[Danielle Morty|a rival to Grace]], was also a front runner for the role but co-producer mentions her reading to be "too desperate", a reference to Sheridan's later role in Desperate Housewives.<ref>Stated in interview on ''Inside the Actors Studio''</ref> Messing was the last to audition and after reading together at the den of James Burrows' home, they knew they found Grace. According to co-star [[Eric McCormack]], Messing won over the casting director because she was the first actress to laugh during the scene, showing how her character Grace enjoys being friends with Will.<ref>Will on Will & Grace. 2003. TV Movie.</ref>
+
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicollette_Sheridan Nicollette Sheridan], who would later make a guest appearance as [[Danielle Morty|a rival to Grace]], was also a front runner for the role but producer [[Max Mutchnick]] would later recall her reading to be "too desperate" (a reference to Sheridan's later role in Desperate Housewives).<ref>Stated in interview on ''Inside the Actors Studio''</ref> Messing was the last to audition and after reading scenes with [[Eric McCormack]] at the den of James Burrows' home, she was offered the role. According to McCormack, Messing won over the casting director because she was the first actress to laugh during the scene, showing how her character Grace enjoys being friends with Will.<ref>Will on Will & Grace. 2003. TV Movie.</ref>
  +
  +
=== Portrayal ===
 
Messing, who idolizes comediennes [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucille_Ball Lucille Ball] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Burnett Carol Burnett], did not want to play Grace as the "pristine" and "pretty, straight" woman but rather enjoyed more physical comedy in her portrayal.<ref>Gerri Miller (March-April 2006) "[http://www.ajlmagazine.com/content/032006/messing.html LADY OF GRACE. Actress Debra Messing speaks candidly on motherhood, her Judaism, and saying farewell to Will & Grace.]" ''American Jewish Life Magazine''</ref>
  +
  +
According to Eric McCormack, Messing tends to have "sudden comic inspirations" including playfully hitting her co-stars when her character is upset and jumping into their arms out of excitement.<ref>[[Say Goodnight Gracie]]</ref>
   
 
=== Awards and Nominations ===
 
=== Awards and Nominations ===
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!Result
 
!Result
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="4" |2000
+
| rowspan="6" |2000
|American Comedy Award
+
|[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Comedy_Awards American Comedy Award]
 
|Best Female Performer in a TV Series
 
|Best Female Performer in a TV Series
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award Primetime Emmy Award]
|Emmy Award
 
 
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
 
|-
 
|-
|Golden Globe Award
+
|[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Globe_Award Golden Globe Award]
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| rowspan="2" |[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Award Screen Actors Guild Award]
|Viewers for Quality Television Award
 
 
|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
 
| class="won" |Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with [[Sean Hayes]], [[Eric McCormack]], and [[Megan Mullally]])
 
|class='won'|'''Won'''
  +
|-
  +
|[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viewers_for_Quality_Television Viewers for Quality Television Award]
 
|Best Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Best Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
| rowspan="7" |2001
+
| rowspan="6" |2001
 
|American Comedy Award
 
|American Comedy Award
 
|Best Female Performer in a TV Series
 
|Best Female Performer in a TV Series
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
|Emmy Award
+
|Primetime Emmy Award
 
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
 
|Golden Globe Award
 
|Golden Globe Award
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
|Screen Actors Guild Award
 
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
 
|'''Won'''
 
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
 
|Screen Actors Guild Award
 
|Screen Actors Guild Award
|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
+
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, McCormack, and Mullally)
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
|Teen Choice Award
+
|[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Choice_Awards Teen Choice Award]
 
|Choice TV Actress
 
|Choice TV Actress
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
  +
| class="won" |[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_Guide_Award TV Guide Award]
|TV Guide Award
 
|Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series
+
|class='won'|Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series
|'''Won'''
+
|class='won'|'''Won'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| rowspan="5" |2002
 
| rowspan="5" |2002
|Emmy Award
+
|Primetime Emmy Award
 
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
Line 76: Line 82:
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
 
|-
 
|-
|Satellite Award
+
| class="won" |[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_Awards Satellite Award]
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
+
|class='won'|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
|'''Won'''
+
|class='won'|'''Won'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Screen Actors Guild Award
 
|Screen Actors Guild Award
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
+
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, McCormack, and Mullally)
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
 
|-
 
|-
Line 87: Line 93:
 
|Choice TV Actress
 
|Choice TV Actress
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
| rowspan="5" |2003
+
| rowspan="6" |2003
|Emmy Award
+
| class="won" |Primetime Emmy Award
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
+
|class='won'|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
|'''Won'''
+
|class='won'|'''Won'''
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
 
|Golden Globe Award
 
|Golden Globe Award
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
|Satellite Award
+
|class='won'|Satellite Award
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
+
|class='won'|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
|'''Won'''
+
|class='won'|'''Won'''
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
|Screen Actors Guild Award
+
| rowspan="2" |Screen Actors Guild Award
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
+
|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
 
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, McCormack, and Mullally)
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
 
|Golden Globe Award
 
|Golden Globe Award
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="3" |2004
+
| rowspan="2" |2004
 
|Satellite Award
 
|Satellite Award
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
Line 115: Line 124:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Screen Actors Guild Award
 
|Screen Actors Guild Award
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
+
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, McCormack, and Mullally)
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
 
|-
 
|-
 
| rowspan="3" |2005
|Screen Actors Guild Award
 
|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
 
|Nominated
 
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
| rowspan="4" |2005
 
 
|Golden Globe Award
 
|Golden Globe Award
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
|People's Choice Award
+
| rowspan="2" |[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Choice_Awards People's Choice Award]
 
|Best Female TV Star
 
|Best Female TV Star
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
  +
|-
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
|People's Choice Award
 
 
|Best Female Comedic Star
 
|Best Female Comedic Star
|Nominated
 
|- bgcolor="#fafeff"
 
|Screen Actors Guild Award
 
|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
 
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
 
|-
 
|-
 
| rowspan="2" |2006
 
| rowspan="2" |2006
|Emmy Award
+
|Primetime Emmy Award
 
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
Line 148: Line 148:
 
|Nominated
 
|Nominated
 
|}
 
|}
  +
[[File:DebraMessing.jpg|thumb]]
 
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
 
* Similar to Grace, Messing is also Jewish and originally has brown hair.
 
* Similar to Grace, Messing is also Jewish and originally has brown hair.
* Messing is the last member of the main cast to win an Emmy for a role on the show. She won the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/55th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series] in 2003 for the episode [[The Kids Stay Out of the Picture]], which features the climactic argument between Will and Grace about having a child together.
+
* Messing is the last member of the main cast to win an Emmy for the first time. She won the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/55th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series] in 2003 for the episode [[The Kid Stays Out of the Picture|The Kids Stay Out of the Picture]], which features the climactic argument between Will and Grace about having a child together.[[File:Debra-Messing-star-780x438 rev1.jpg|thumb|220x220px]]
  +
* Messing's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rider_(theater) rider] requests include a list in accordance to her many allergies: "Debra is allergic to ALL WHITE FISH, chicken, mushrooms, gluten, dairy, butter (except feta and goat cheese). Debra does not eat game, beans, yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower. She is lactose intolerant. She cannot have cheese or milk (only coconut milk)," the rider said, according to <em>Page Six</em>. But the list didn't end there: "Debra is allergic to wool, cats, cashmere, down feathers, FLOWERS and gabardine [a type of woven cloth]. The only flower she is not allergic to is orchids."<ref>"Debra Messing is allergic to everything". Page Six. https://pagesix.com/2017/05/25/debra-messings-allergy-list-is-ridiculously-long/
  +
</ref>[[File:Debra Messing a p 0.jpg|thumb|330x330px]]
   
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
  +
[[File:1344842165 0-6.jpg|thumb|287x287px]]
 
  +
{| class="media-table"
  +
|[[File:Debra Messing Clairol Commercial (1995)|thumb|330x330px]]
  +
|[[File:Debra Messing wins 2003 Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series|thumb|330x330px]]
  +
|}
  +
<gallery>
  +
Debra-Messing-0.jpg
  +
Debra-Messing.jpg
  +
Debra-Messing-01.jpg
  +
Emmy2005 debra messing.jpg
  +
</gallery>
   
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==

Latest revision as of 20:09, 23 October 2018

Debra Messing is an American actress who portrayed Grace Adler in Will & Grace.

Grace Adler

Casting

Messing was playing the lead in ABC's sci-fi series Prey when she was asked to audition for the role of Grace. She admits she was unsure if she wanted the role because she had been working for five straight years at that point and was thinking of taking a break.[1] However, she had a goal to work on an NBC sitcom with director James Burrows so she decided to try for the part.

Nicollette Sheridan, who would later make a guest appearance as a rival to Grace, was also a front runner for the role but producer Max Mutchnick would later recall her reading to be "too desperate" (a reference to Sheridan's later role in Desperate Housewives).[2] Messing was the last to audition and after reading scenes with Eric McCormack at the den of James Burrows' home, she was offered the role. According to McCormack, Messing won over the casting director because she was the first actress to laugh during the scene, showing how her character Grace enjoys being friends with Will.[3]

Portrayal

Messing, who idolizes comediennes Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, did not want to play Grace as the "pristine" and "pretty, straight" woman but rather enjoyed more physical comedy in her portrayal.[4]

According to Eric McCormack, Messing tends to have "sudden comic inspirations" including playfully hitting her co-stars when her character is upset and jumping into their arms out of excitement.[5]

Awards and Nominations

Year Award Category Result
2000 American Comedy Award Best Female Performer in a TV Series Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, and Megan Mullally) Won
Viewers for Quality Television Award Best Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2001 American Comedy Award Best Female Performer in a TV Series Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, McCormack, and Mullally) Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress Nominated
TV Guide Award Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series Won
2002 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated
Satellite Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Won
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, McCormack, and Mullally) Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress Nominated
2003 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Won
Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated
Satellite Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Won
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, McCormack, and Mullally) Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated
2004 Satellite Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (with Hayes, McCormack, and Mullally) Nominated
2005 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated
People's Choice Award Best Female TV Star Nominated
Best Female Comedic Star Nominated
2006 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress Nominated
DebraMessing

Notes

  • Similar to Grace, Messing is also Jewish and originally has brown hair.
  • Messing is the last member of the main cast to win an Emmy for the first time. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2003 for the episode The Kids Stay Out of the Picture, which features the climactic argument between Will and Grace about having a child together.
    Debra-Messing-star-780x438 rev1
  • Messing's rider requests include a list in accordance to her many allergies: "Debra is allergic to ALL WHITE FISH, chicken, mushrooms, gluten, dairy, butter (except feta and goat cheese). Debra does not eat game, beans, yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower. She is lactose intolerant. She cannot have cheese or milk (only coconut milk)," the rider said, according to Page Six. But the list didn't end there: "Debra is allergic to wool, cats, cashmere, down feathers, FLOWERS and gabardine [a type of woven cloth]. The only flower she is not allergic to is orchids."[6]
    Debra Messing a p 0

Media

1344842165 0-6
Debra_Messing_Clairol_Commercial_(1995)

Debra Messing Clairol Commercial (1995)

Debra_Messing_wins_2003_Emmy_Award_for_Lead_Actress_in_a_Comedy_Series

Debra Messing wins 2003 Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

 External links

References

  1. Will and Grace Cast Interview on Charlie Rose (2000)
  2. Stated in interview on Inside the Actors Studio
  3. Will on Will & Grace. 2003. TV Movie.
  4. Gerri Miller (March-April 2006) "LADY OF GRACE. Actress Debra Messing speaks candidly on motherhood, her Judaism, and saying farewell to Will & Grace." American Jewish Life Magazine
  5. Say Goodnight Gracie
  6. "Debra Messing is allergic to everything". Page Six. https://pagesix.com/2017/05/25/debra-messings-allergy-list-is-ridiculously-long/