Debbie Reynolds
Acting Born Apr 1, 1932 Died Dec 28, 2016 El Paso, Texas, USA 173 credits
Biography
Mary Frances Debbie Reynolds was an American actress, singer, businesswoman, film historian, and humanitarian. She was born on April 1, 1932, in El Paso, Texas, and died on December 28, 2016, at the age of 84. Reynolds received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Most Promising Newcomer for her role as Helen Kane in the 1950 film Three Little Words. Her breakout role and first leading role was as Kathy Selden in the 1952 film Singin' in the Rain. Her other film successes include The Affairs of Dobie Gillis, Susan Slept Here, Bundle of Joy, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination, The Catered Affair, and Tammy and the Bachelor.
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Career overview
Mary Frances Debbie Reynolds was an American actress, singer, businesswoman, film historian, and humanitarian who was born on April 1, 1932, and passed away on December 28, 2016, at the age of 84. Over her career, she accumulated 166 known credits in acting. Her early recognition included a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her portrayal of Helen Kane in the 1950 film Three Little Words. Her breakout role and first leading role was as Kathy Selden in the 1952 film Singin in the Rain.
Following her breakout, Reynolds achieved success in several other films. Her later roles included The Affairs of Dobie Gillis in 1953 and Susan Slept Here in 1954. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her work in Bundle of Joy in 1956, and in the same year, she won the National Board of Review Best Supporting Actress Award for The Catered Affair. She also starred in Tammy and the Bachelor in 1957, in which her performance of the song Tammy reached number one.
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Frequent co-stars
Judith Hoag
4 shared titles
Joey Zimmerman
4 shared titles
Vanessa Brown
4 shared titles
Donald O'Connor
3 shared titles
Agnes Moorehead
3 shared titles
Kimberly J. Brown
3 shared titles
Emily Roeske
3 shared titles
Jane Powell
3 shared titles
Una Merkel
3 shared titles
Tim Thomerson
2 shared titles
Career timeline
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes
Commitment to Life
Broadway: Beyond the Golden AgeSœur Sourire: Who Killed the Voice of God?
Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds
The Slippers
Tab Hunter Confidential
The 7DCommitted
Behind the Candelabra
One for the MoneyTony Curtis: Driven to StardomIn the Picture
The Talk
RuPaul's Drag RaceThe Boys: The Sherman Brothers' StoryHollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great DepressionHollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1970's
The Penguins of MadagascarHollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical HistoryThe Brothers WarnerThe Jill & Tony Curtis Story
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
Return to Halloweentown
The Reichen ShowGet Aboard! 'The Band Wagon'
Halloweentown HighConnie and CarlaAFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies
The Ellen DeGeneres ShowTracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales
Kim PossibleFirst MondayGene Kelly: Anatomy of a DancerRugrats: Babies in ToylandCinerama Adventure
These Old BroadsHalloweentown II: Kalabar's RevengeCleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood
Rugrats in Paris: The MovieVirtual Mom
Family GuyKeepers of the FrameA Gift of Love: The Daniel Huffman Story
Will & GraceHollywood SquaresFear and Loathing in Las VegasRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The MovieBravo Profiles
In & OutTwentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years
Wedding Bell BluesWedding Bell BluesMother
Touched by an AngelThat's Entertainment! III
Intimate PortraitHeaven & EarthJack L. Warner: The Last Mogul
The BodyguardVicki!Battling for Baby
Rugrats
Wings
Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder
Full Filmography
173 titles- Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- Commitment to Life (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021) as Self
- Sœur Sourire: Who Killed the Voice of God? (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2017) as Self
- The Slippers (2016)
- Tab Hunter Confidential (2015) as Self
- The 7D (2014) as Grandmommers Whimsical (voice)
- Committed (2014) as Self
- Behind the Candelabra (2013) as Frances
- One for the Money (2012) as Grandma Mazur
- Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom (2012) as Self
- In the Picture (2012) as Aunt Lilith
- The Talk (2010) as Self
- RuPaul's Drag Race (2009) as Self - Guest Judge
- The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story (2009) as Self
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression (2009) as Self
- Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1970's (2009) as Self
- The Penguins of Madagascar (2008) as Granny Squirrel (voice)
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History (2008) as Self
- The Brothers Warner (2008) as Self
- The Jill & Tony Curtis Story (2008)
- Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007) as Self
- Return to Halloweentown (2006) as Agatha 'Aggie' Cromwell
- The Reichen Show (2005) as Self - Guest
- Get Aboard! 'The Band Wagon' (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Halloweentown High (2004) as Agatha 'Aggie' Cromwell
- Connie and Carla (2004) as Herself
- AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies (2004) as Self
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales (2003) as Herself
- Kim Possible (2002) as Nana Possible (voice)
- First Monday (2002)
- Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002) as Self
- Rugrats: Babies in Toyland (2002) as Lulu Pickles (voice)
- Cinerama Adventure (2002) as Self
- What a Glorious Feeling: The Making of 'Singin' in the Rain' (2002) as Self
- These Old Broads (2001) as Piper Grayson
- Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge (2001) as Agatha 'Aggie' Cromwell
- Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000) as Lulu Pickles (voice)
- Virtual Mom (2000) as Gwen
- Family Guy (1999) as Mrs. Wilson (voice)
- Keepers of the Frame (1999) as Herself
- A Gift of Love: The Daniel Huffman Story (1999) as Shirlee Allison
- Will & Grace (1998) as Bobbi Adler
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) as Debbie Reynolds (voice)
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (1998) as Mrs. Claus / Mitzi / Mrs. Prancer / School Teacher (voice)
- Bravo Profiles (1998) as Self
- Halloweentown (1998) as Agatha 'Aggie' Cromwell
- Zack and Reba (1998) as Beulah Blanton
- The Christmas Wish (1998) as Ruth
- In & Out (1997) as Berniece Brackett
- Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years (1997) as Self
- Wedding Bell Blues (1996) as Debbie Reynolds
- Wedding Bell Blues (1996) as Self
- Mother (1996) as Beatrice Henderson
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Betty Poplovich
- That's Entertainment! III (1994) as Self - Co-Host / Narrator
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self
- Heaven & Earth (1993) as Eugenia
- Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul (1993) as Self
- The Bodyguard (1992) as Debbie Reynolds
- Vicki! (1992) as Self
- Battling for Baby (1992) as Helen
- Rugrats (1991) as Lulu Pickles (voice)
- Wings (1990) as Deedee Chappel
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (1989) as Amanda Cody
- Sidewalks Entertainment (1988)
- Roseanne (1988)
- Couples Do It Debbie's Way (1988)
- Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (1987) as Self
- Sadie and Son (1987) as Sadie
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Truby
- That's Dancing! (1985)
- The Best of Broadway (1985) as Herself
- Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Do It Debbie's Way (1983) as Self
- Jennifer Slept Here (1983) as Alice Farrell
- Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self - Guest
- Hotel (1982)
- Madame's Place (1982) as Self
- Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers! (1982) as Self (archive footage)
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1981) as Alice
- Aloha Paradise (1981) as Sydney Chase
- Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (1980) as Self
- Leapin' Lizards, It's Liberace! (1978) as Herself
- The Love Boat (1977) as Sheila Evans
- The Love Boat (1977) as Doris Talbert
- The People's Command Performance: '77 (1977) as Self
- Alice (1976)
- The Sonny and Cher Show (1976)
- That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage)
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- That's Entertainment! (1974) as Self - Host / Narrator
- Charlotte's Web (1973) as Charlotte (voice)
- Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972) as Self (archive footage)
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- The Pearl Bailey Show (1971) as Self
- What's the Matter with Helen? (1971) as Adelle Bruckner
- The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (1969) as Self
- Bracken's World (1969)
- The Debbie Reynolds Show (1969) as Debbie Thompson
- Debbie Reynolds and the Sound of Children (1969) as Self
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self (uncredited)
- How Sweet It Is! (1968) as Jenny
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest / Various Characters
- Divorce American Style (1967) as Barbara Harmon
- Mondo Hollywood (1967)
- The Singing Nun (1966) as Sister Ann
- Goodbye Charlie (1964) as Charlie Sorel / Virginia Mason
- The Story of a Dress (1964) as Self
- The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) as Molly Brown
- Mary, Mary (1963) as Mary McKellaway
- My Six Loves (1963) as Janice Courtney
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Guest Host
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- How the West Was Won (1962) as Lilith Prescott
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Second Time Around (1961) as Lu Rogers
- The DuPont Show of the Week (1961) as Self
- The Pleasure of His Company (1961) as Jessica Poole
- The Rat Race (1960) as Peggy Brown
- Pepe (1960) as Debbie Reynolds
- Hedda Hopper's Hollywood (1960) as Self
- It Started with a Kiss (1959) as Maggie Putnam
- The Gazebo (1959) as Nell Nash
- Say One for Me (1959) as Holly LeMaise
- The Mating Game (1959) as Mariette Larkin
- Kraft Music Hall (1958)
- This Happy Feeling (1958) as Janet Blake
- American Bandstand (1957) as Self
- Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) as Tammy
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Nominee
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Memoriam (archive footage)
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Recipient
- The Catered Affair (1956) as Jane Hurley
- Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956) as Debbie Reynolds (uncredited)
- Bundle of Joy (1956) as Polly Parish
- MGM Parade (1955)
- Hit the Deck (1955) as Carol Pace
- The Tender Trap (1955) as Julie Gillis
- Ford Star Jubilee (1955)
- The George Gobel Show (1954) as Self
- Athena (1954) as Minerva
- Susan Slept Here (1954) as Susan Beaurgard Landis
- A Star Is Born World Premiere (1954) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Give a Girl a Break (1953) as Suzy Doolittle
- I Love Melvin (1953) as Judy Schneider / Judy LeRoy
- The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953) as Pansy Hammer
- This Is Your Life (1952) as Self
- Singin' in the Rain (1952) as Kathy Selden
- Skirts Ahoy! (1952) as Debbie Reynolds (uncredited)
- Mr. Imperium (1951) as Gwen
- Challenge the Wilderness (1951) as Narrator (uncredited)
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady (1950) as Maureen O'Grady
- Two Weeks with Love (1950) as Melba Robinson
- Three Little Words (1950) as Helen Kane
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- June Bride (1948) as Boo's Girlfriend at Wedding
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Hostess
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Debbie Reynolds best known for?
Debbie Reynolds is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The 7D (2014), Behind the Candelabra (2013), The Talk (2010), RuPaul's Drag Race (2009).
When and where was Debbie Reynolds born?
Debbie Reynolds was born on April 1, 1932 in El Paso, Texas, USA. They passed away on December 28, 2016.
How many credits does Debbie Reynolds have?
Debbie Reynolds has accumulated over 173 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2024.
What is Debbie Reynolds's background in cinema and television?
Mary Frances Debbie Reynolds was an American actress, singer, businesswoman, film historian, and humanitarian. She was born on April 1, 1932, in El Paso, Texas, and died on December 28, 2016, at the age of 84. Reynolds received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Most Promising Newcomer for her role as Helen Kane in th...
Debbie Reynolds by the numbers
173credits
110films
63TV series
1944–2024active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- American Bandstand (1957) as Self — aged about 25
- Singin' in the Rain (1952) as Kathy Selden — aged about 20
- A Star Is Born World Premiere (1954) as Self — aged about 22
- Madame's Place (1982) as Self — aged about 50
- The Debbie Reynolds Show (1969) as Debbie Thompson — aged about 37
- The George Gobel Show (1954) as Self — aged about 22
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