Career Timeline of Debra Messing: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Debra Messing built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Debra Messing is an American actress known for her roles in television. She gained prominence for her role as Grace Adler in the NBC sitcom "Will & Grace," where her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2003 and multiple Golden Globe nominations. Prior to her success on "Will & Grace," she starred in television series such as "Ned and Stacey" and "Prey."
1993: Acted in Angels in America: Perestroika
In 1993, Debra Messing won acclaim for her performance as Harper in the pre-Broadway workshop production of Tony Kushner's play Angels in America: Perestroika.
1994: Acted in NYPD Blue
In 1994, Debra Messing appeared in several episodes of the television series NYPD Blue.
1995: Acted in A Walk in the Clouds
In 1995, Debra Messing acted in the film A Walk in the Clouds.
1995: Acted in NYPD Blue
In 1995, Debra Messing appeared in several episodes of the television series NYPD Blue.
1995: Film Debut and Co-star in Ned & Stacey
In 1995, Debra Messing made her film debut in A Walk in the Clouds and became the co-star of the television sitcom Ned & Stacey.
1995: Starred in Ned and Stacey
In 1995, Debra Messing starred in the television series Ned and Stacey on Fox.
1996: Acted in Seinfeld
In 1996, Debra Messing appeared as Jerry Seinfeld's romantic interest in "The Wait Out" episode of the series Seinfeld.
1997: Starred in McHale's Navy
In 1997, Debra Messing co-starred in the Tom Arnold vehicle McHale's Navy.
1997: End of Ned and Stacey
In 1997, Debra Messing's television series Ned and Stacey ended its run on Fox.
1998: Lead Role in Prey and Will & Grace Audition
In 1998, Debra Messing played a lead role in Prey and auditioned for the role of Grace Adler in Will & Grace.
1998: Starred in Prey and Will & Grace
In 1998, Debra Messing starred in the television series Prey on ABC and achieved her breakthrough role as Grace Adler on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace.
2002: Acted in Hollywood Ending and The Mothman Prophecies
In 2002, Debra Messing acted in the films Hollywood Ending and The Mothman Prophecies.
2002: Acted in The Mothman Prophecies and Hollywood Ending
In 2002, Debra Messing acted in the films The Mothman Prophecies and Hollywood Ending.
2004: Acted in Along Came Polly and Garfield
In 2004, Debra Messing acted in the film Along Came Polly and lent her voice to the animated film Garfield.
2004: Acted in Along Came Polly
In 2004, Debra Messing had a supporting role as an unfaithful bride in Along Came Polly.
2004: Campaign Work
In 2004, Debra Messing started working on campaigns by knocking on doors and making phone calls for the Democratic Party.
2005: Acted in The Wedding Date
In 2005, Debra Messing acted in the film The Wedding Date.
2006: End of Will & Grace
In 2006, Debra Messing concluded her initial run as Grace Adler on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace.
2006: Acted in Open Season
In 2006, Debra Messing lent her voice to the animated film Open Season.
2007: Starred in The Starter Wife
From 2007, Debra Messing starred as Molly Kagan in the television miniseries The Starter Wife.
2007: Acted in Lucky You
In 2007, Debra Messing acted in the film Lucky You.
2008: Starred in The Starter Wife series
From 2008, Debra Messing starred as Molly Kagan in the television series The Starter Wife.
2008: Acted in The Women and Nothing Like the Holidays
In 2008, Debra Messing acted in the films The Women and Nothing Like the Holidays.
2010: Starred in Wright vs. Wrong
In early 2010, Debra Messing starred in the ABC comedy pilot Wright vs. Wrong.
February 2011: Starred in Smash
In February 2011, it was announced that Debra Messing would star in a new NBC musical pilot called Smash.
May 2011: Smash Picked Up as a Series
In May 2011, it was reported that NBC picked up the show Smash as a series.
February 6, 2012: Smash Premiered
On February 6, 2012, the show Smash premiered.
January 3, 2014: Broadway Debut
On January 3, 2014, Debra Messing made her Broadway debut in Outside Mullingar.
September 2014: Starred in The Mysteries of Laura
In September 2014, Debra Messing starred in The Mysteries of Laura.
2014: Starred in The Mysteries of Laura
In 2014, Debra Messing appeared as homicide detective Laura Diamond on the NBC police-procedural comedy The Mysteries of Laura.
2014: Starred in Like Sunday, Like Rain
In 2014, Debra Messing appeared with Billie Joe Armstrong and Leighton Meester in Like Sunday, Like Rain.
2016: The Mysteries of Laura ended
In 2016, Debra Messing's role as homicide detective Laura Diamond on the NBC police-procedural comedy The Mysteries of Laura ended.
May 2017: Acted in Dirty Dancing Remake
In May 2017, Debra Messing portrayed Marjorie Houseman in the television remake of the film Dirty Dancing.
September 2017: Will & Grace Revival
In September 2017, Debra Messing starred again as Grace Adler in the revival of Will & Grace on NBC.
2017: Will & Grace Revival
From 2017, Debra Messing reprised her role as Grace Adler on NBC's three season revival of Will & Grace.
2018: Acted in Searching
In 2018, Debra Messing acted in the film Searching.
2018: Founded "I am a voter."
In 2018, Debra Messing and Mandana Dayani founded a nonpartisan organization called "I am a voter." to educate and mobilize voters.
April 2020: Will & Grace Revival Concluded
In April 2020, Debra Messing starred again as Grace Adler in the revival of Will & Grace on NBC.
2020: Will & Grace Revival Ended
In 2020, Debra Messing concluded her role as Grace Adler on NBC's three season revival of Will & Grace.
2020: End of Will & Grace Revival
In 2020, Debra Messing concluded her role as Grace Adler on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace.
2021: Promoted VoteRiders
Before the runoff election in Georgia in 2021, Debra Messing posted a message on Instagram directing followers to VoteRiders for information on voter ID requirements and assistance with obtaining an ID to vote.
2022: Acted in 13: The Musical
In 2022, Debra Messing acted in the film 13: The Musical.
