Debbie Allen is an American actress, dancer, director, producer, and public figure with a net worth of $14 million, a combined wealth with her husband, former NBA player and agent Norm Nixon. Known for her contributions to television, stage, and dance, Allen has earned multiple Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe Awards throughout her illustrious career.
| Debbie Allen Net Worth | $14 Million |
| Date of Birth | January 16, 1950 |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, Dancer, Director, Producer, Public Figure |
Early Life
Debbie Allen was born on January 16, 1950, in Houston, Texas, to orthodontist Andrew Arthur Allen and Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet Vivian Ayers Allen. The youngest of three children, she was deeply influenced by her mother’s love for the arts. Her early interest in dance led her to audition for the Houston Ballet Academy at age 12, where she faced initial rejection due to racial prejudice but was later accepted due to her undeniable talent.
Despite facing discrimination again at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Allen pursued her passion for the arts and academics. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical Greek literature, speech, and theater from Howard University and studied acting at HB Studio in New York City.
Debbie Allen Career
Debbie Allen made her Broadway debut in 1970, dancing in the chorus of the musical “Purlie.” She gained significant recognition for her role as Beneatha in the Tony Award-winning musical “Raisin” in 1973. In 1980, she earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Anita in the Broadway revival of “West Side Story.” She continued to dazzle on Broadway, earning another Tony nomination for her role in the 1986 production of “Sweet Charity.”
Debbie Allen Movies and TV Shows
Allen’s television debut came in 1976 on the sitcom “Good Times.” She gained widespread fame as Lydia Grant in the television series “Fame” from 1982 to 1987, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her choreography and performance. Her success extended to directing and producing, notably with the television series “A Different World,” which ran for six seasons.
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Allen’s film credits include roles in “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh” (1979) and “Ragtime” (1981). She also directed and choreographed several television films and was the choreographer for the Academy Awards for ten years.
Later Career
In 2001, Debbie Allen founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a non-profit organization aimed at providing dance education to students of all backgrounds. She directed the Broadway revival of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in 2008 and directed numerous television series episodes, including “Scandal,” “Jane the Virgin,” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” where she also became an executive producer and cast member.
Personal Life
Debbie Allen married Win Wilford in 1975, but they divorced in 1983. In 1984, she married Norm Nixon, with whom she has three children: Vivian, Norman, and DeVaughn. The family owns a 6,500-square-foot home in Santa Monica, estimated to be worth $9-10 million.
Debbie Allen Honors and Awards
Debbie Allen has received numerous accolades, including honoris causa doctorates from Howard University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She served on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2020, she was honored as a Kennedy Center Honoree.
Debbie Allen Net Worth
Debbie Allen net worth is $14 million.