Debra Messing is an American actress who portrayed Grace Adler in Will & Grace.
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.[1]
Casting
Messing was playing the lead in ABC's sci-fi series Prey when she was asked to audition for the role of Grace. According to the producers, Messing won them over because she was the only one who smiled. Nicollette Sheridan, who would later make a guest appearance as 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.[2] According to Eric McCormack, Messing was the last to audition and after reading with the other women, they knew they found Grace after his reading with Messing.
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | American Comedy Award | Best Female Performer in a TV Series | Nominated |
| Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| Golden Globe Award | Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical | Nominated | |
| 2000 | Viewers for Quality Television Award | Best Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2001 | American Comedy Award | Best Female Performer in a TV Series | Nominated |
| 2001 | Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2001 | Golden Globe Award | Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical | Nominated |
| 2001 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Won |
| 2001 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2001 | Teen Choice Award | Choice TV Actress | Nominated |
| 2001 | TV Guide Award | Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series | Won |
| 2002 | Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2002 | Golden Globe Award | Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical | Nominated |
| 2002 | Satellite Award | Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical | Won |
| 2002 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2002 | Teen Choice Award | Choice TV Actress | Nominated |
| 2003 | Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Won |
| 2003 | Golden Globe Award | Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical | Nominated |
| 2003 | Satellite Award | Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical | Won |
| 2003 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2004 | 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 |
| 2004 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2004 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2005 | Golden Globe Award | Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy or Musical | Nominated |
| 2005 | People's Choice Award | Best Female TV Star | Nominated |
| 2005 | People's Choice Award | Best Female Comedic Star | Nominated |
| 2005 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2006 | Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2006 | Teen Choice Award | Choice TV Actress | Nominated |
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 a role on the show. 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 an climactic argument between Will and Grace about having a child together.