Allen, Debbie (1950–)

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Allen, Debbie (1950–)

African-American dancer and director. Name variations: Deborah Allen; Debra Allen. Born Deborah Kaye Allen, Jan 16, 1950, in Houston, Texas; dau. of Andrew Allen (dentist) and Vivian Ayers-Allen (poet); sister of Phylicia Rashad (actress); graduate of Howard University; m. Win Wilford, 1975 (div. 1983); m. Norman Nixon (former NBA player), 1984; children: (2nd m.) Vivian Nixon (b. 1984), Norm Jr. (b. 1987).

Joined Houston Foundation for Ballet on full scholarship and as company's 1st black dancer (1964); danced with George Faison's Universal Dance Experience in NY (early 1970s); appeared on Broadway in such shows as Purlie (1971), Raisin (1973), Truckload (1975) and Ain't Misbehavin' (1980); nominated for Tony award and won Drama Desk Award for portrayal of Anita in Broadway revival of West Side Story (1980); nominated for a Tony for Sweet Charity (1986); made film debut in Ragtime (1981), then appeared as Lydia Grant in the film version of Fame and the tv series of the same name, which brought her international recognition; began directing "A Different World" (1988); hosted tv special "The Debbie Allen Show" and tv musical "Polly" (both 1989); directed episodes of tv's "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and "Quantum Leap" (1990–91); produced Steven Spielberg's Amistad (1997); directed musical Brothers of the Knight at Kennedy Center, Washington DC (1998); founded the Debbie Allen Dance Institute. Won Essence awards (1992, 1995).

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