as Julia Houston
Debra Messing
26 movies
Acting
Aug 15, 1968
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Debra Lynn Messing, born on August 15, 1968, is a prominent American actress. A graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, she first gained attention in the short-lived series Ned and Stacey (1995–1997) and ABC's Prey (1998). Messing rose to fame as Grace Adler, an interior designer, in the acclaimed NBC sitcom Will & Grace, which aired from 1998 to 2006 and was revived from 2017 to 2020. Her portrayal earned her seven Golden Globe nominations, winning one in 2003, along with five Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
From 2007 to 2008, she starred as Molly Kagan in The Starter Wife, earning multiple nominations, including two Golden Globes. Messing also played Julia Houston in the musical drama Smash (2012–2013) and Laura Diamond in The Mysteries of Laura (2014–2016). Her film credits include A Walk in the Clouds (1995), Along Came Polly (2004), and Searching (2018), as well as voice roles in animated features like Garfield (2004).
Filmography
as Detective Laura Diamond
The Mysteries of Laura
2014
as Grace Adler
Will & Grace
1998
Dirty Dancing (2017)
2017
as Bobbie Costello
The Alto Knights
2025
as Self
October 8
2025
as Lt. Penelope Carpenter
McHale's Navy (1997)
1997
as Edie Cohen
The Women (2008)
2008
The War of the Worlds 2021
2021
as Thea Pyle
The Dark Divide
2020
as Jessica Goldman
13: The Musical
2022
as Barbara
Like Sunday, Like Rain
2014
as Lori
Hollywood Ending
2002
as Betty Sutton
A Walk in the Clouds
1995
as Arlene (voice)
Garfield
2004
as Beth (voice)
Open Season (2006)
2006
as Detective Vick
Searching
2018
as Kat Ellis
The Wedding Date
2005
as Lisa Kramer
Along Came Polly
2004
as Sarah Rodriguez
Nothing Like the Holidays
2008
as Mary Klein
The Mothman Prophecies
2002
as Mary Magdalene
Jesus (1999)
1999
Bros
2022
as Suzanne Offer
Lucky You
2007
as The Queen
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
2016
as Kate Scott