Debra Lynn Messing was born on August 15, 1968, in Brooklyn, New York City. She played the role of Grace, in the acclaimed sitcom, 'Will & Grace'.

Debra Lynn Messing was born to Brian and Sandra Messing, and has an elder brother Brett. When she turned 3, the family moved to Providence, Rhode Island. She is the wife of Daniel Zelman, and the mother of Roman Walker Zelman. With the encouragement of her parents Debra took dancing, singing and acting lessons. She finished her education in the field of liberal arts from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts with a 'summa cum laude' degree. She also joined the esteemed British European Studio Group program, to study theatre. She earned her master's degree in fine arts at New York University and also acquired admission to the Graduate Acting program. She was applauded for her acting in the play called Angels in America: Perestroika, a pre-Broadway workshop production by Tony Kushner, in 1993. During this time, she also appeared in the television series NYPD Blue. She made her debut in films with the supporting role in A Walk in the Clouds. She also co-stared in Ned and Stacey, a sitcom, in 1995. In 1998, she played the lead role in Prey, a sci-fi television series, as Sloan Parker. This was also the time when her agent proposed the idea of acting in Will & Grace. Her big-screen acting career includes 'The Mothman Prophecies' in 2002, 'Along Came Polly' in 2004 and 'The Wedding Date' in 2005.

Debra has been compared to Lucille Ball because of her talent for comedy and her beauty. Debra Messing was voted one of 'People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World', in 2002. And in 2003 she was the 'Best Dressed Woman' according to TY Guide.