A Unique Woman - Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen is an example of how dreams can be realized. Everyday work, perseverance in achieving their goals, led this remarkable woman to outstanding results. She has everything - recognition of colleagues and TV viewers, successful social activities, loving husband and children.

Childhood and youth

Deborah Kay Allen was born in Houston in 1950, January 16. Father Debbie, Andrew Arthur Allen by profession was a dentist. Mother, Vivian Iris was a man of art and was engaged in poetry.

Debbie Allen is American by birth, but African blood flows in her veins. Allen has the older brothers and sister Felicia, with whom they worked together in the popular sitcom "Cosby Show". Debbie was part of the production team, and Felicia played the main role.

In 1957, Debbie's parents decided to divorce. Viviane remained alone with the children, but continued to be educated in due course. Children had to do their homework in order to become independent. And for the development of creative abilities, my mother came up with all sorts of tasks in the field of literature, music, and drawing.

In 1960, the mother decided to take the children to Mexico, to show them by example that they need to constantly strive for something new. At the same time Vivian in a foreign country had absolutely no acquaintances, and she did not know the language either. The family lived in Mexico for 2 years and returned to their homeland. Now the mother and children were fluent in Spanish.

With her father, Debbie Allen maintained a warm relationship until his death.

Dancing

Allen from the age of 3 began to engage in dancing. At the age of 5 she began attending courses of dancers.

At the age of 12, the girl went to the local ballet school and did a wonderful job. At that time, racism still flourished in America, and it was rejected because of its swarthy complexion. After a couple of months, the choreographer at the Houston school, who was impressed with the young talent, wrote it down to study secretly from everyone. He was Russian by nationality.

At the age of 16, a young dancer was chosen to show dance techniques at the art school, which functioned at the University of North Carolina. But the girl was again refused. The wording said that her "body is not suitable for ballet dances."

Deborah was very hurt and decided to prove to everyone that she is not just a "black dancer." Allen graduated from the University and entered Howard University. There, her studies were also successful. As a result, Deborah has two bachelor's degrees and diplomas with distinction.

After graduation, Allen went to conquer Broadway.

Cinema

In 1980, Debbie begins her career on the world famous stage. After the role of Anita in the "West Side Story", not only connoisseurs of theatrical art paid attention to it, but also critics. This led to the nomination for the "Tony Avard" award and the receipt of the theatrical award "Drama Desc".

The most famous role in the movie was Lilia Grant in the musical "Glory", for which Allen received the Golden Globe. It happened in 1983.

For 5 years, Deborah participated in the series based on "Glory." She was both an actress and a leading choreographer. In 2009, the actress took part in the filming of the remake of "Glory." Performed roles in the films "Open Check" and "Ragtime". Also starred in the television series "In the House." The audience appreciated her talent as an actress in "Anatomy of Passion", where she plays extravagant Catherine Avery.

Professional achievements

Nineteen times nominated for the Emmy Award, actress Debbie Allen. Films in which she participated as an actress, director or dancer, fell in love with the audience and critics. Therefore, Deborah received this prestigious award three times.

In 1991, for her achievements, Allen was awarded the highest honor - a star in the Hollywood Alley.

Directorial career began simultaneously with the acting, and for all the time Debbie was the main on the set more than 40 times. Her most famous works are "Quantum Leap", "Family Ties", "Prince of Beverly Hills" and others.

Debut in the production sector was held with the direct participation of Steven Spielberg. The combination of the director's profession with the producer's talent brought success, and the comedy series "Another World" was released on the screens.

As a choreographer, Allen 5 times engaged in staging the "Oscar" ceremony.

In 2001, Deborah was included in the Presidential Committee on Arts and Humanities. At the same time in Los Angeles, the opening of the Dance Academy Deborah Allen. The educational institution accepts talented children of all social strata from 4 to 18 years old. Deborah herself leads some programs.

A family

For the first time, Allen married Winfried Wilfurd in 1975. After 8 years of marriage, the marriage broke up. The actress was not long alone. A year later, basketball player Norman Nixon became the second and current spouse of Debbie Allen. A photo of a happy married couple can be seen in the article.

In a married couple have two children. The eldest daughter Vivian followed in the footsteps of her mother and is a famous dancer. Son Norman Nixon, Jr. inherited from the famous mother the talent of the actor.