Debra Messing - Actor Profile

Debra Messing

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
32Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Aug 15, 1968
Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

About Debra Messing

Debra Lynn Messing (born August 15, 1968) is an American actress. After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Messing starred in the shortlived television series, Ned and Stacey on Fox (1995–1997), and Prey on ABC (1998). She achieved her breakthrough role as Grace Adler, an interior designer, on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace (1998–2006, 2017–2020), for which she received seven Golden Globe Award nominations and five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, winning once, in 2003. From 2007 to 2008, Messing starred as Molly Kagan, the ex-wife of a Hollywood film mogul, on the television miniseries The Starter Wife, for which she received two Golden Globe nominations, a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Thereafter, she appeared as Broadway playwright Julia Houston on the NBC musical drama Smash (2012–2013) and as homicide detective Laura Diamond on the NBC police-procedural comedy The Mysteries of Laura (2014–2016). From 2017 to 2020, Messing reprised her role as Grace Adler on NBC's three season revival of Will & Grace, garnering a ninth Golden Globe nomination for her performance. Messing's film work includes A Walk in the Clouds (1995), Jesus (1999), The Mothman Prophecies (2002), Hollywood Ending (2002), Along Came Polly (2004), The Wedding Date (2005), Lucky You (2007), The Women (2008), Nothing Like the Holidays (2008), Searching (2018), and 13: The Musical (2022). She has also lent her voice to animated films such as Garfield (2004) and Open Season (2006). Description above from the Wikipedia article Debra Messing, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Debra Messing Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Debra Messing reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 32 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Debra Messing's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 34% of Debra Messing's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains NBC 75th Anniversary Special, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Debra Messing Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Debra Messing's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Debra Messing has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 The Alto Knights Bobbie Costello Average Similar →
2025 October 8 Self Average Similar →
2022 Bros Debra Messing Hit Similar →
2022 13: The Musical Jessica Goldman Average Similar →
2021 The War of the Worlds 2021 - Hit Similar →
2020 Irresistible Babs Garnett (uncredited) Average Similar →
2020 Bombshell in Concert - Super Hit Similar →
2020 The Dark Divide Thea Pyle Flop Similar →
2020 The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU Self Super Hit Similar →
2019 Stucco Counselor Flop Similar →
2018 Searching Detective Vick Super Hit Similar →
2017 Dirty Dancing Marjorie Houseman Average Similar →
2016 Albion: The Enchanted Stallion The Queen Average Similar →
2016 Must See TV: An All Star Tribute to James Burrows Self Flop Similar →
2014 Like Sunday, Like Rain Barbara Hit Similar →
2011 Sesame Street: Wild Words and Outdoor Adventures - Flop Similar →
2010 Wright vs. Wrong Evelyn Wright Flop Similar →
2008 Nothing Like the Holidays Sarah Rodriguez Average Similar →
2008 The Women Edie Cohen Flop Similar →
2007 Lucky You Suzanne Offer Average Similar →
2007 Purple Violets Kate Scott Average Similar →
2006 Open Season Beth (voice) Average Similar →
2005 The Wedding Date Kat Ellis Hit Similar →
2004 Garfield Arlene (voice) Average Similar →
2004 Along Came Polly Lisa Kramer Average Similar →
2002 NBC 75th Anniversary Special Self Super Hit Similar →
2002 Hollywood Ending Lori Hit Similar →
2002 The Mothman Prophecies Mary Klein Average Similar →
1999 Jesus Mary Magdalene Hit Similar →
1998 Celebrity TV Reporter Average Similar →
1997 McHale's Navy Lt. Penelope Carpenter Flop Similar →
1995 A Walk in the Clouds Betty Sutton Hit Similar →

Debra Messing - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Debra Messing?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Debra Messing is "NBC 75th Anniversary Special" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Debra Messing acted in?

Debra Messing has been featured in at least 32 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Debra Messing?

Other notable films include "The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU", "Bombshell in Concert", and "Searching".

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