Date of Birth : Jan 16th 1950
American actress, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. She is probably best known for her role as Lydia Grant in the hit 1982 TV series Fame.
She first began receiving critical attention in 1980, when Debbie appeared in the role of Anita in the Broadway revival of West Side Story which earned her a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk Award. One of her earlier television appearances was in the TV sitcom Good Times in a memorable 2-part episode titled “J.J’s Fiancee’.” Allen portrayed J.J’s drug-addicted fiancee, Diana.
Debbie Allen was first introduced as Lydia Grant in the 1980 movie Fame. Although her role in the film was relatively small, Lydia would become a central figure in the highly popular television adaptation, which ran from 1982 to 1987. During the opening montage of each episode, Ms. Grant told her students: “You’ve got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying … in sweat.” Allen was also lead choreographer for the film and television series, winning two Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe Award. She then spun-off the Fame franchise into a reality show in 2003 but it was met only with limited success. It was revealed that she would be playing the school principal in the 2009 adaption of the film. Debbie also released two solo albums, 1986’s “sweet charity” and 1989’s “special look” which also had several singles off the album.
CAREER
Fame ( 2009 )
Blank Check ( 1994 )
Fame ( 1980 )