Debbie Allen has played Catherine Fox since season eight of Grey's Anatomy. Besides acting on the show, Debbie has also directed several episodes and she has become an executive producer as of season twelve.
Biography[]
Debbie was born in Houston, Texas. She is the third child to Andrew Authur Allen Jr, an orthodontist and Vivian Allen, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated artist.[1] She went to Howard University and earned a B.A in classical Greek Literature, speech, and theatre.[2] She holds honoris causa Doctorates from Howard University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.[source?] While growing up, she faced racism at the Houston Ballet School, and was denied admission to the school due to the color of her skin.[source?]
Allen is married to former NBA player Norm Nixon,[3] and they have three children: Vivian Nichole Nixon,[4] Norman Ellard Nixon Jr., and DeVaughn Nixon.
Career[]
Filmography[]
- Silent Rhythm (????)
- A Star for Rose (2013)
- Grace (2011)
- Fame (2009)
- Next Day Air (2009)
- Tournament of Dreams (2007)
- Life is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story (2006)
- Everything's Jake (2006)
- The Painting (2001)
- All About You (2001)
- The Old Settler (2001)
- Michael Jordan: An American Hero (1999)
- Out-of-Sync (1995)
- Mona Must Die (1994)
- Blank Check (1994)
- Stompin' at the Savoy (1992)
- Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (1986)
- Janet Jackson: Dream Street (short) (1984)
- Women of San Quentin (1983)
- Parade of Stars (1983)
- Alice at the Palace (1982)
- Ragtime (1981)
- Fame (1980)
- The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979)
- Ebony, Ivory and Jade (1979)
- The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened (1977)
- Dancing in the Wings (1977)
Television[]
- Grey's Anatomy (2011-2024)
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2021)
- S.W.A.T. (2018-2021)
- Grace and Frankie (2020)
- Raven's Home (2018)
- Jane the Virgin (2016)
- Let's Stay Together (2013)
- Milk & Honey (2012)
- Fake It Til You Make It (2010)
- Everybody Hates Chris (2006-2007)
- All of Us (2004)
- The Division (2003)
- PBS Hollywood Presents (2001)
- Cosby (1997)
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995-1997)
- Touched by an Angel (1996)
- In the House (1995-1996)
- C-Bear and Jamal (1996)
- The Sinbad Show (1994)
- A Different World (1991-1992)
- Sunday in Paris (short) (1991)
- Quantum Leap (1991)
- The Cosby Show (1988)
- Fame (1982-1987)
- Celebrity (mini-series) (1984)
- Live… And in Person (1983)
- The Love Boat (1979-1983)
- Drawing Power (1980)
- Roots: The Next Generations (mini-series) (1979)
- Good Times (1976)
Director[]
- Grey's Anatomy (2010-2023)
- The Ms. Pat Show (2021-2022)
- The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (2022)
- Christmas on the Square (2020)
- Step Up: High Water (2018)
- Insecure (2016)
- Survivor's Remorse (2015)
- Jane the Virgin (2014-2015)
- Scandal (2014-2015)
- Empire (2015)
- How to Get Away with Murder (2014)
- Witches of East End (2014)
- Let's Stay Together (2013)
- Army Wives (2013)
- The Client List (2013)
- Hellcats (2010-2011)
- My Parents, My Sister & Me (2009-2010)
- Everybody Hates Chris (2006-2009)
- The Game (2008)
- Girlfriends (2005-2008)
- All of Us (2003-2007)
- I Was a Network Star (documentary) (2006)
- Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story (2006)
- That's So Raven (2004-2006)
- That's So Raven: Supernaturally Stylish (2004)
- The Parkers (2003)
- The Twilight Zone (2003)
- Cool Women (documentary) (2002)
- PBS Hollywood Presents (2001)
- The Old Settler (2001)
- Kirk Franklin: The Tu Nation Tour (1999)
- Martin Luther King Special One Day (1998)
- Linc's (1998)
- The Jamie Foxx Show (1997-1998)
- Between Brothers (1997)
- Out-of-Sync (1995)
- The Sinbad Show (1993-1994)
- A Different Show (1988-1993)
- Sinbad: Afros and Bellbottoms (documentary) (1993)
- Quantum Leap (1991-1993)
- The Boys (1992)
- Stompin' at the Savoy (1992)
- Polly: Comin' Home (1992)
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
- Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1989)
- The Debbie Allen Special (1989)
- Family Ties (1987-1988)
- Fame (1984-1987)
- The Bronx Zoo (1987)
- Janet Jackson: Dream Street (short) (1984)
Producer[]
- Untitled Fame Drama (????)
- Grey's Anatomy (2015-)
- Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker (documentary) (2020)
- Christmas on the Square (2020)
- Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back (documentary) (2019)
- Grey's Anatomy: Post-Op (2017)
- A Star for Rose (2013)
- My Parents, My Sister & Me (2009-2010)
- Alex in Wonderland: Interview with Debbie Allen (short) (2010)
- Alex in Wonderland: Rehearsing Wonderland (short) (2010)
- Fame (2003)
- Cool Women (documentary) (2002)
- The Painting (2001)
- PBS Hollywood Presents (2001)
- The Old Settler (2001)
- Martin Luther King Special One Day (1998)
- Ships of Slaves: The Middle Passage (1997)
- Amistad (1997)
- A Different World (1988-1993)
- The Boys (1992)
- Sunday in Paris (short) (1991)
- Fame (1983-1985)
Directed Episodes[]
Grey's Anatomy[]
Season 6
Season 7
Season 8
Season 9
Season 10
Season 11
Season 12
Season 13
Season 14
Season 15
Season 16
Season 17
Season 18
Season 19
Season 20
Notes and Trivia[]
- In honor of the 300th episode, Debbie shared her top 5 favorite moments of Grey's Anatomy history:
- 1: Break Down the House bringing back the lighter tone to the show.[5]
- BONUS: Ellen Pompeo directing Be Still, My Soul[6]
- 2: Ring of Fire[7]
- 3: Denzel Washington directing The Sound of Silence[8]
- 4: directing the 250th episode[9]
- 5: the first episode[10]
- She is the mother of Vivian Nixon[11] and Norm Nixon, Jr., both of whom have a recurring role on the show. Additionally, Debbie's sister Phylicia Rashad made an appearance on Grey's Anatomy's Sign O' the Times and a voice-only appearance on Station 19's Ice Ice Baby.[12]
External Links[]
Debbie Allen on Wikipedia
Debbie Allen on IMDb
Debbie Allen on Twitter
Debbie Allen on Instagram- Debbie Allen on IBDb
References[]
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