DR
Debbie Reynolds
Actor, Producer, Writer
Born April 1, 1932Died December 28, 2016 (84 years)
Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds (April 1, 1932 - December 28, 2016) was an American actress, singer, businesswoman, film historian, and humanitarian. She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her portrayal of Helen Kane in the 1950 film Three Little Words, and her breakout role was her first leading role, as Kathy Selden in Singin' in the Rain (1952). Other successes include The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953), Susan Slept Here (1954), Bundle of Joy (1956 Golden Globe nomination), The Catered Affair (1956 National Board of Review Best Supporting Actress Winner), and Tammy and the Bachelor (1957), in which her performance of the song "Tammy" reached number one on the Billboard music charts. In 1959, she released her first pop music album, titled Debbie.
She starred in How the West Was Won (1963), and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), a biographical film about the famously boisterous Molly Brown. Her performance as Brown earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her other films include The Singing Nun (1966), Divorce American Style (1967), What's the Matter with Helen? (1971), Charlotte's Web (1973), Mother (1996) (Golden Globe nomination), and In & Out (1997). Reynolds was also a cabaret performer. In 1979 she founded the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood, which still operates today.
In 1969 she starred on television in the eponymous The Debbie Reynolds Show, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. In 1973 Reynolds starred in a Broadway revival of the musical Irene and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical. She was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance in A Gift of Love (1999) and an Emmy Award for playing Grace's mother Bobbi on Will & Grace. At the turn of the millennium, Reynolds reached a new younger generation with her role as Aggie Cromwell in Disney's Halloweentown series. In 1988 she released her autobiography titled, Debbie: My Life. In 2013, she released a second autobiography, Unsinkable: A Memoir.
Reynolds also had several business ventures, including ownership of a dance studio and a Las Vegas hotel and casino, and she was an avid collector of film memorabilia, beginning with items purchased at the landmark 1970 MGM auction. She served as president of The Thalians, an organization dedicated to mental health causes. Reynolds continued to perform successfully on stage, television, and film into her eighties. In January 2015, Reynolds received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. In 2016 she received the Academy Awards Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. In the same year, a documentary about her life was released titled Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds; the film premiered on HBO on January 7, 2017.
On December 28, 2016, Reynolds was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center following a medical emergency, which her son Todd Fisher later described as a "severe stroke". She died that afternoon, one day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher.
She starred in How the West Was Won (1963), and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), a biographical film about the famously boisterous Molly Brown. Her performance as Brown earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her other films include The Singing Nun (1966), Divorce American Style (1967), What's the Matter with Helen? (1971), Charlotte's Web (1973), Mother (1996) (Golden Globe nomination), and In & Out (1997). Reynolds was also a cabaret performer. In 1979 she founded the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood, which still operates today.
In 1969 she starred on television in the eponymous The Debbie Reynolds Show, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. In 1973 Reynolds starred in a Broadway revival of the musical Irene and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical. She was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance in A Gift of Love (1999) and an Emmy Award for playing Grace's mother Bobbi on Will & Grace. At the turn of the millennium, Reynolds reached a new younger generation with her role as Aggie Cromwell in Disney's Halloweentown series. In 1988 she released her autobiography titled, Debbie: My Life. In 2013, she released a second autobiography, Unsinkable: A Memoir.
Reynolds also had several business ventures, including ownership of a dance studio and a Las Vegas hotel and casino, and she was an avid collector of film memorabilia, beginning with items purchased at the landmark 1970 MGM auction. She served as president of The Thalians, an organization dedicated to mental health causes. Reynolds continued to perform successfully on stage, television, and film into her eighties. In January 2015, Reynolds received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. In 2016 she received the Academy Awards Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. In the same year, a documentary about her life was released titled Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds; the film premiered on HBO on January 7, 2017.
On December 28, 2016, Reynolds was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center following a medical emergency, which her son Todd Fisher later described as a "severe stroke". She died that afternoon, one day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher.
Known For
Debbie Reynolds Filmography
| 2024 | Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes · as Cast |
| 2014 | The 7D (TV Series) · as Grandmommers Whimsical (voice) |
| 2013 | Behind the Candelabra · as Frances |
| 2012 | One for the Money · as Grandma Mazur |
| 2011 | |
| 2010 | Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil (TV Series) · as Mary Van Der Deth |
| 2008 | The Penguins of Madagascar (TV Series) · as Granny Squirrel (voice) |
| 2008 | |
| 2006 | Return to Halloweentown · as Agatha 'aggie' Cromwell |
| 2005 | Disney Channel Holiday · as Nana Possible |
| 2004 | Halloweentown High · as Agatha 'aggie' Cromwell |
| 2002 | Rugrats: Babies in Toyland · as Lulu Pickles (voice) |
| 2002 | Kim Possible (TV Series) · as Nana Possible (voice) |
| 2002 | First Monday (TV Series) |
| 2001 | Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge · as Agatha 'aggie' Cromwell |
| 2001 | Rugrats: Acorn Nuts & Diapey Butts · as Lulu Johnson |
| 2001 | These Old Broads · as Piper Grayson |
| 2000 | Rugrats in Paris · as Lulu Pickles (voice) |
| 2000 | Virtual Mom · as Gwen |
| 1999 | Gift of Love: The Daniel Huffman Story · as Shirlee Allison |
| 1999 | Family Guy (TV Series) · as Mrs. Wilson (voice) |
| 1998 | The Christmas Wish · as Ruth |
| 1998 | Halloweentown · as Agatha 'aggie' Cromwell |
| 1998 | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie · as Mrs. Claus / Mitzi / Mrs. Prancer / School Teacher (voice) |
| 1998 | Zack and Reba · as Beulah Blanton |
| 1998 | Will & Grace (TV Series) · as Bobbi Adler |
| 1998 | Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas · as Debbie Reynolds (voice) |
| 1997 | In & Out · as Berniece Brackett |
| 1996 | Mother · as Beatrice Henderson |
| 1994 | Touched by an Angel (TV Series) · as Betty Poplovich |
| 1994 | Sidewalks Entertainment (TV Series) |
| 1993 | Heaven & Earth · as Eugenia |
| 1992 | Battling for Baby · as Helen |
| 1991 | Rugrats (TV Series) · as Lulu Pickles (voice) |
| 1990 | Wings (TV Series) · as Deedee Chappel |
| 1989 | Kiki's Delivery Service · as Madame |
| 1989 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder · as Amanda Cody |
| 1988 | Roseanne (TV Series) |
| 1987 | Sadie and Son · as Sadie |
| 1985 | The Golden Girls (TV Series) · as Truby |
| 1985 | |
| 1983 | Jennifer Slept Here (TV Series) · as Alice Farrell |
| 1983 | Hotel (TV Series) |
| 1982 | Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter · as Molly Brown |
| 1977 | The Love Boat (TV Series) · as Sheila Evans |
| 1976 | America at the Movies · as Lily Prescott |
| 1976 | Alice (TV Series) |
| 1976 | That's Entertainment, Part II · as (archive Footage) |
| 1976 | The Sonny & Cher Show (TV Series) |
| 1973 | Charlotte's Web · as Charlotte (voice) |
| 1971 | What's the Matter with Helen? · as Adelle Bruckner |
| 1969 | Bracken's World (TV Series) |
| 1969 | The Debbie Reynolds Show (TV Series) · as Debbie Thompson |
| 1968 | How Sweet It Is! · as Jenny |
| 1967 | Kraft Music Hall (TV Series) |
| 1967 | Divorce American Style · as Barbara Harmon |
| 1966 | The Singing Nun · as Sister Ann |
| 1964 | Goodbye Charlie · as Charlie Sorel / Virginia Mason |
| 1964 | The Unsinkable Molly Brown · as Molly Brown |
| 1963 | Mary, Mary · as Mary Mckellaway |
| 1963 | My Six Loves · as Janice Courtney |
| 1962 | How the West Was Won · as Lilith Prescott |
| 1961 | The Second Time Around · as Lu Rogers |
| 1961 | The Pleasure of His Company · as Jessica Poole |
| 1960 | The Rat Race · as Peggy Brown |
| 1959 | The Gazebo · as Nell Nash |
| 1959 | Ford Startime (TV Series) |
| 1959 | It Started with a Kiss · as Maggie Putnam |
| 1959 | Say One for Me · as Holly Lemaise |
| 1959 | The Mating Game · as Mariette Larkin |
| 1958 | This Happy Feeling · as Janet Blake |
| 1957 | Tammy and the Bachelor · as Tammy Tyree |
| 1956 | Bundle of Joy · as Polly Parish |
| 1956 | The Catered Affair · as Jane Hurley |
| 1956 | Meet Me in Las Vegas · as Debbie Reynolds (uncredited) |
| 1955 | The Tender Trap · as Julie Gillis |
| 1955 | Ford Star Jubilee (TV Series) |
| 1955 | MGM Parade (TV Series) · as Julie Gillis |
| 1955 | Hit the Deck · as Carol Pace |
| 1954 | Athena · as Minerva Mulvain |
| 1954 | Susan Slept Here · as Susan Beaurgard Landis |
| 1953 | Give a Girl a Break · as Suzy Doolittle |
| 1953 | The Affairs of Dobie Gillis · as Pansy Hammer |
| 1953 | I Love Melvin · as Judy Schneider / Judy Leroy |
| 1952 | Skirts Ahoy! · as Debbie Reynolds (uncredited) |
| 1952 | Singin' in the Rain · as Kathy Selden |
| 1951 | Mr. Imperium · as Gwen |
| 1951 | The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story · as Cast |
| 1950 | Two Weeks with Love · as Melba Robinson |
| 1950 | Three Little Words · as Helen Kane |
| 1950 | The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady · as Maureen O'grady |
| 1948 | June Bride · as Boo's Girlfriend At Wedding |
| 2023 | Commitment to Life · as Self |
| 2023 | Albert Brooks: Defending My Life · as Self |
| 2023 | Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul · as Self |
| 2021 | Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age · as Self |
| 2021 | Soeur Sourire - Qui a tué la voix de Dieu? · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2019 | Frank Sinatra: One More for the Road · as Self |
| 2017 | The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - In Memoriam |
| 2017 | The 71st Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Memoriam |
| 2017 | The 59th Annual Grammy Awards · as Self - In Memoriam |
| 2017 | 2017 EE British Academy Film Awards · as Self - In Memoriam |
| 2017 | The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - In Memoriam |
| 2017 | The 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards 2017 · as Self - Tribute |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | Tab Hunter Confidential · as Self |
| 2015 | The 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - Life Achievement Award Recipient |
| 2014 | And the Oscar Goes to... · as Self |
| 2013 | Making Behind the Candelabra Show · as Self |
| 2012 | Committed · as Self |
| 2012 | Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom · as Self |
| 2012 | Carol Channing: Larger Than Life · as Self |
| 2011 | These Amazing Shadows · as Self |
| 2010 | Carrie Fisher: Wishful Drinking · as Self |
| 2010 | Hollywood Treasure (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | The Talk (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | The Boys · as Self |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | RuPaul's Drag Race (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Judge |
| 2008 | |
| 2008 | The Bonnie Hunt Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2008 | |
| 2008 | |
| 2007 | The Brothers Warner · as Self |
| 2007 | Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project · as Self |
| 2007 | |
| 2006 | The ONE Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2006 | Bert's Family Feud (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | The Reichen Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2005 | In the Cutz (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2005 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2004 | |
| 2004 | Magic Moments: The Best of 50's Pop · as Self |
| 2004 | Connie and Carla · as Herself |
| 2003 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales · as Herself |
| 2002 | Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer · as Self |
| 2002 | |
| 2002 | Cinerama Adventure · as Self |
| 2001 | |
| 2001 | Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2000 | BBC Breakfast (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1999 | Loose Women (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1999 | Keepers of the Frame · as Herself |
| 1998 | Hollywood Squares (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 1997 | The Roseanne Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1997 | Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's · as Self (with Eddie Fisher) |
| 1997 | The 69th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1997 | |
| 1997 | 54th Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 1996 | Wedding Bell Blues · as Debbie Reynolds |
| 1996 | The Daily Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1996 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1996 | E! True Hollywood Story (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | Private Screenings (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | That's Entertainment! III · as Self - Co-Host / Narrator |
| 1994 | |
| 1994 | The Best of the Don Lane Show · as Self |
| 1993 | Modern Marvels (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1993 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1993 | Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul · as Self |
| 1992 | The Bodyguard · as Debbie Reynolds |
| 1992 | Vicki! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | MGM: When the Lion Roars (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1991 | Maury (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1990 | Intimate Portrait (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | LIVE with Kelly and Mark (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1988 | 48 Hours (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | The 5th Annual American Cinema Awards · as Self |
| 1987 | Win, Lose or Draw (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1987 | Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood · as Self |
| 1987 | Biography (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1987 | The 32th Annual Thalians Ball · as Self - Host |
| 1986 | The New Hollywood Squares (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 1986 | The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1986 | The 58th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1985 | American Masters (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1985 | Larry King Live (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1985 | The Best of Broadway · as Herself |
| 1983 | Do It Debbie's Way · as Self |
| 1983 | Sally Jessy Raphael (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1983 | Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage · as Self (archive Footage) (uncredited) |
| 1982 | Circus of the Stars #7 · as Self - Co-Ringmaster |
| 1982 | Madame's Place (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Wogan (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | |
| 1982 | Late Night With David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1982 | Oops, those Hollywood Bloopers! · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 1982 | The Hollywood Palace · as Self |
| 1981 | Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1980 | Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1980 | Hour Magazine (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1978 | The 50th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Performer |
| 1978 | Leapin' Lizards, It's Liberace! · as Herself |
| 1974 | Dinah! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1974 | That's Entertainment! · as Self - Host / Narrator |
| 1974 | The 46th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1973 | Tomorrow with Tom Snyder (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1973 | AFI Life Achievement Award (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1972 | Pebble Mill at One (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1972 | The Wacky World of Jonathan Winters (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1972 | The 44th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Performer |
| 1972 | The ABC Comedy Hour (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1972 | Hollywood: The Dream Factory · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 1971 | Great Performances (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1969 | The Andy Williams Show (1962) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1969 | This is Tom Jones (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1969 | The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1968 | The Jim Nabors Hour (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1968 | The Dick Cavett Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1967 | The Phil Donahue Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1967 | The Carol Burnett Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest / Various Characters |
| 1967 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1967 | Mondo Hollywood · as Self |
| 1966 | The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1966 | The 38th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1965 | The Dean Martin Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1965 | The Hollywood Squares (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 1965 | The 37th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Nominee & Presenter |
| 1964 | The 36th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1964 | The Hollywood Palace (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 1963 | Hollywood Without Make-Up · as Self |
| 1963 | Hollywood: The Great Stars · as Self |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1962 | The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1962 | The 34th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1961 | The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1961 | The DuPont Show of the Week (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1960 | Pepe · as Debbie Reynolds |
| 1960 | Here's Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1960 | Hedda Hopper's Hollywood · as Self |
| 1958 | The 30th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Performer |
| 1957 | The Jack Paar Tonight Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1956 | The Steve Allen Show (TV Series) · as Self - Recipient |
| 1956 | Tony Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Nominee |
| 1956 | The 28th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Audience Member |
| 1955 | This is Your Life (UK) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1955 | Dateline: Disneyland · as Self |
| 1954 | Light's Diamond Jubilee · as Self |
| 1954 | The George Gobel Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1954 | A Star Is Born World Premiere · as Self |
| 1953 | Tonight! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1953 | Person to Person (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1953 | The Academy Awards (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | American Bandstand (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | The Linkletter Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | I've Got a Secret (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Star |
| 1950 | This Is Your Life (US) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1950 | The Colgate Comedy Hour (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1950 | The Bob Hope Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1950 | What's My Line? (TV Series) · as Self - Mystery Guest |
| 1948 | The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1944 | Golden Globe Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Presenter |
| 1983 | Do It Debbie's Way · as Executive Producer |