Deborah Kaye Allen was born in Houston, Texas, to African-American parents, Vivian Elizabeth (Ayers), a poet and art director, and Andrew Arthur Allen, an orthodontist. As a child, Debbie, her older brother, Andrew (called Tex), and her older sister, actress Phylicia Rashad, lived in Mexico to escape US racism. Their mother decided to live there to give the Allen children a brief experience of not having to endure the chronic racism and segregation that was typical of Texas during the 1950s. Deb
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Liza Who-Little |
1991 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Don't Count Your Chickens Before They're Axed |
1992 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Great Expectations |
1989 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Perhaps Love |
1990 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story |
2017 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates the BFD |
2008 |
| Episode |
Between Brothers The Big Three-Oh |
1997 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) If I Should Die Before I Wake |
1991 |
| Episode |
Jane the Virgin Chapter Twenty |
2015 |
| Episode |
Empire (2015) Who I Am |
2015 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Ex-Cons |
2008 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Risky Business |
1989 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) A Campfire Story |
1990 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy With a Wonder and a Wild Desire |
2018 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) I'm Dreaming of a Wayne Christmas |
1990 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) When One Door Closes... (2) |
1993 |
| Episode |
The Sinbad Show David's Van |
1993 |
| Episode |
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey Robyn |
2022 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) The Little Mister |
1992 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Everything Must Change |
1990 |
| Episode |
All of Us Police...Open Up |
2006 |
| Episode |
Girlfriends Deck the Halls With Bags and Folly |
2007 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Two Gentlemen of Hillman |
1988 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Silent All These Years |
2019 |
| Episode |
All of Us Playdate |
2004 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) To Tell the Truth (1) |
1991 |
| Episode |
Girlfriends Adapt to Adopt |
2008 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy This One's for the Girls |
2024 |
| Episode |
Fame The Crimson Blade |
1987 |
| Episode |
All of Us Pretty Woman |
2006 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Answered Prayers |
1989 |
| Episode |
Witches of East End Boogie Knight |
2014 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy The Room Where It Happens |
2016 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Ms. Understanding |
1991 |
| Episode |
The Sinbad Show I Coulda Been the Man |
1993 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) There's No Place Like Home |
1989 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) How Bittersweet It Is |
1990 |
| Episode |
All of Us It Takes Three to Tango |
2004 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Do You Take This Woman? (2) |
1991 |
| Episode |
Family Ties The Play's the Thing |
1988 |
| Episode |
Between Brothers The List |
1997 |
| Episode |
That's So Raven The Four Aces |
2006 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Malvo |
2006 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Save the Best for Last (1) |
1992 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Hillman Isn't Through with You Yet |
1990 |
| Episode |
Insecure Guilty as F**k |
2016 |
| Episode |
All of Us Reunited and It Doesn't Feel That Good |
2004 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Some Enchanted Late Afternoon |
1988 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Walking Tall |
2015 |
| Episode |
Scandal (2012) Flesh and Blood |
2014 |
| Episode |
Family Ties Higher Love |
1987 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Between Two Lungs |
2025 |
| Episode |
All of Us Return of the Mack |
2004 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls |
1989 |
| Episode |
Jane the Virgin Chapter Four |
2014 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Blues for Nobody's Child |
1990 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Put Me In, Coach |
2011 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Save the Best for Last (2) |
1992 |
| Episode |
Girlfriends Stand and Deliver |
2008 |
| Movie | Sinbad: Afros and Bellbottoms | 1993 |
| Episode |
All of Us The Kiss Off |
2004 |
| Episode |
All of Us Crime and Maybe Some Punishment |
2006 |
| Episode |
The Client List Heaven's Just a Sin Away |
2013 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Dream Lover |
1988 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Breaking Up is Hard to Do |
1989 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Guess Who's Coming to Dinner |
2015 |
| Episode |
All of Us Everybody Loves Rain Man |
2006 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Faith, Hope and Charity (1) |
1992 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) We've Only Just Begun |
1991 |
| Episode |
The Sinbad Show It's My Party, I'll Cry If I Want To |
1993 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) The Heat is On |
1989 |
| Episode |
All of Us Basket Cases |
2004 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) 21 Candles |
1990 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Three Girls Three |
1988 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Under One Roof |
1990 |
| Episode |
All of Us Parents Just Don't Understand |
2004 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Here Comes the Sun (2) |
2021 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) The Dwayne Mutiny |
1991 |
| Episode |
The Twilight Zone (2002) The Monsters Are On Maple Street |
2003 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Fake IDs |
2009 |
| Episode |
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air The Fresh Prince Project |
1990 |
| Movie | The Old Settler | 2001 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy I'll Follow the Sun |
2023 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) The Hat Makes the Man |
1989 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Honeymoon in L.A. (1) |
1992 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Faith, Hope and Charity (2) |
1992 |
| Movie | Out-of-Sync | 1995 |
| Episode |
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Bang the Drum, Ashley |
1990 |
| Episode |
All of Us The Return of Mars Blackmon |
2004 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Ex-Communication (a.k.a. Fiancée What?) |
1991 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Today Was a Fairytale |
2021 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Home is Where the Fire Is |
1991 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Jump into the Fog |
2019 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) If You Like Pilgrim Coladas |
1988 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Lasagna |
2009 |
| Movie | Polly | 1989 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Original Teacher |
1992 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Whitley's Last Supper |
1990 |
| Movie | Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story | 2012 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) It's Showtime at Hillman |
1991 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy It's All Too Much |
2021 |
| Episode |
Fame Lisa's Song |
1984 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Nothing Left to Cling To |
2019 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) For She's Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage |
1989 |
| Episode |
Girlfriends Range of Emotions |
2007 |
| Episode |
That's So Raven Boyz 'N Commotion |
2005 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) To Have and Have Not |
1989 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Happily Ever After? |
2023 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Everything Has Changed |
2022 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) College Kid |
1993 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side |
2016 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) A Stepping Stone |
1988 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Honeymoon in L.A. (2) |
1992 |
| Episode |
All of Us Liar, Liar |
2005 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) The Power of the Pen |
1990 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Almost Working Girl |
1991 |
| Episode |
The Sinbad Show Keep The Faith |
1994 |
| Episode |
All of Us It Was Fun While It Lasted |
2007 |
| Episode |
Girlfriends Baghdad, My Bad |
2007 |
| Movie | Polly: Comin' Home! | 1990 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) The Goodwill Games |
1990 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Tasha |
2009 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) White Christmas |
1992 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Disarm |
2011 |
| Episode |
Hellcats Land of 1,000 Dances |
2011 |
| Episode |
The Sinbad Show The Dog Episode |
1994 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Forever Hold Your Peace |
1989 |
| Episode |
All of Us Not So Wonderful News |
2005 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy If Walls Could Talk |
2024 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) It's Greek to Me |
1989 |
| Episode |
Scandal (2012) Where's the Black Lady? |
2015 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Life with Father |
1988 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Superstition |
2006 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Tales from the Exam Zone |
1990 |
| Episode |
The Sinbad Show David Goes Skiing |
1994 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Look Up Child |
2021 |
| Episode |
Girlfriends Where Did Lynn-digo? |
2007 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) To Whit, with Love |
1993 |
| Episode |
That's So Raven A Goat's Tale |
2004 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy The Center Won't Hold |
2020 |
| Episode |
All of Us Boxing |
2004 |
| Episode |
All of Us Handle Your Business |
2005 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) In the Eye of the Storm |
1991 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy All Tomorrow's Parties |
2020 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) All's Fair |
1988 |
| Episode |
Step Up Solo |
2018 |
| Episode |
All of Us Sins of the Father |
2007 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) The Thing About Women |
1989 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Family Affair |
2016 |
| Episode |
How to Get Away with Murder He Has a Wife |
2014 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Ring of Fire |
2017 |
| Episode |
Fame Of Cabbages and Kings |
1987 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy I'll Cover You |
2022 |
| Episode |
Quantum Leap Revenge of the Evil Leaper |
1993 |
| Episode |
All of Us She Blinded Me With Science |
2007 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Not Responsible |
2011 |
| Episode |
All of Us Jonny Come Lately (1) |
2004 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Break Down the House |
2017 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Getaway (1) |
1990 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Driving |
2007 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Burn It Down |
2024 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Delusions of Daddyhood |
1989 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Undo |
2016 |
| Episode |
All of Us So I Creep |
2005 |
| Episode |
All of Us The Wedding Singers |
2007 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Take This Job and Love It |
1989 |
| Episode |
The Jamie Foxx Show Soul Mate to Cellmate |
1998 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Success, Lies and Videotape |
1990 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Rule Number One |
1991 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Girlfriend in a Coma |
2019 |
| Episode |
All of Us Jonny Come Lately (2) |
2004 |
| Episode |
All of Us Movin' On Up |
2005 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Bed-Stuy |
2007 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Radio Free Hillman |
1989 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy The Makings of You |
2022 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Somebody That I Used to Know |
2013 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Interior Desecration (a.k.a. Sofa, So Good) |
1992 |
| Episode |
Scandal (2012) I'm Just a Bill |
2015 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Kiss You Back (1) |
1992 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Where Do We Go from Here? |
2015 |
| Episode |
The Sinbad Show My Daughter's Keeper |
1993 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy My Shot |
2019 |
| Episode |
The Bronx Zoo Lost and Found |
1987 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) No Means No |
1989 |
| Episode |
Quantum Leap Private Dancer |
1991 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Minimum Wage |
2007 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Happy Birthday to Moi |
1993 |
| Episode |
Hellcats Pledging My Love |
2010 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Never Felt So Alone |
2024 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy She Used to Be Mine |
2024 |
| Episode |
The Parkers The Good, the Bad and the Funny |
2003 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Leave a Light On |
2020 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) A World Alike |
1990 |
| Episode |
All of Us O Brother, Where Art Thou? |
2004 |
| Episode |
All of Us Passing The Test |
2005 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Dr. War is Hell |
1988 |
| Episode |
Fame Baby Remember My Name |
1987 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Walk on the Ocean |
2024 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy All of Me |
2018 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy How Do I Live |
2025 |
| Episode |
All of Us A Family Affair |
2004 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Getaway (2) |
1990 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Baby, I'm a Star |
1991 |
| Episode |
That's So Raven The Road to Audition |
2004 |
| Episode |
All of Us Baby Got (Flash) Back |
2005 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Mind Your Own Business |
1993 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy You Are the Blood |
2022 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Wedding Bells from Hell |
1989 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Bad Boys |
2008 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Sympathy for the Parents |
2010 |
| Episode |
All of Us Hollywood Swinging |
2005 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates the First Kiss |
2008 |
| Episode |
The Game Oh, What a Night |
2008 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) It Happened One Night |
1989 |
| Episode |
That's So Raven Be Prepared |
2006 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Citizen Wayne |
1989 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Love the One You're With |
2012 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Only the Strong Survive |
2025 |
| Episode |
The Jamie Foxx Show Misery Loves Company |
1997 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) A Word in Edgewise |
1991 |
| Episode |
All of Us Wedding Dance |
2004 |
| Series | A Different World | |
| Series | A Different World |
| Movie | Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back | 2019 |
| Movie | Sunday in Paris | 1991 |
| Movie | The Old Settler | 2001 |
| Movie | Amistad | 1997 |
| Episode |
The Rosie O'Donnell Show Molly Shannon, Debbie Allen |
1999 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Why Try to Change Me Now |
2016 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy With a Little Help From My Friends |
2021 |
| Episode |
Everybody Hates Chris Everybody Hates Elections |
2006 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy I'll Cover You |
2022 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy With a Wonder and a Wild Desire |
2018 |
| Episode |
S.W.A.T. (2017) Jack |
2019 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) |
2016 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Roar |
2016 |
| Episode |
S.W.A.T. (2017) Rocket Fuel |
2019 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Anybody Have a Map? |
2018 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Love, Loss, and Legacy |
2011 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy I Wear the Face |
2016 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Seal Our Fate |
2013 |
| Episode |
Battle of the Network Stars Battle of the Network Stars XII |
1982 |
| Episode |
S.W.A.T. (2017) Day of Dread |
2019 |
| Episode |
The Cosby Show If the Dress Fits, Wear It |
1988 |
| Episode |
Touched by an Angel Sins of the Father |
1996 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Twelve Steps of Christmas |
1991 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Living in a House Divided |
2022 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Back Where You Belong |
2017 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Honeymoon in L.A. (1) |
1992 |
| Episode |
S.W.A.T. (2017) Fire in the Sky |
2019 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy I Want You with Me |
2013 |
| Episode |
S.W.A.T. (2017) Never Again |
2018 |
| Episode |
Cardi Tries Cardi Tries Ballet |
2020 |
| Episode |
A Different World (1987) Ex-Communication (a.k.a. Fiancée What?) |
1991 |
| Episode |
Battle of the Network Stars Battle of the Network Stars XIII |
1982 |
| Episode |
S.W.A.T. (2017) Invisible |
2019 |
| Episode |
The Talk Debbie Allen |
2015 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Unbreak My Heart |
2016 |
| Episode |
The Division Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered |
2003 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Put the Squeeze on Me |
2022 |
| Episode |
The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson Jay Leno (guest host), Marilu Henner, Debbie Allen, Paul Provenza, Wilson Phillips |
1991 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Beautiful Dreamer |
2018 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy At Last |
2016 |
| Episode |
Great Performances Spike & Co.: Do It Acapella |
1990 |
| Episode |
E! True Hollywood Story Bob Fosse |
1999 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy This Is Why We Fight |
2013 |
| Episode |
S.W.A.T. (2017) Trigger Creep |
2019 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Should I Stay or Should I Go |
2022 |
| Episode |
Good Times J.J.'s Fiancee (1) |
1976 |
| Episode |
S.W.A.T. (2017) Los Huesos |
2019 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Undo |
2016 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy Stronger Than Hate |
2022 |
| Episode |
The Sinbad Show The Telethon |
1994 |
| Episode |
Good Times J.J.'s Fiancee (2) |
1976 |
| Episode |
Cosby Dating Games |
1997 |
| Episode |
Quantum Leap Private Dancer |
1991 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy You Are the Blood |
2022 |
| Episode |
S.W.A.T. (2017) Genesis |
2023 |
| Episode |
The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson Jay Leno (guest host), Michael Moriarty, Debbie Allen, Chuck Martin, Kenny Rankin, Dan Siegel |
1991 |
| Episode |
The Dick Cavett Show Lee Theodore, Buzz Miller, Debbie Allen, Hector Mercado |
1980 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy All of Me |
2018 |
| Episode |
Grey's Anatomy When It Hurts So Bad |
2016 |
