Debbie Allen has yet another reason to celebrate her illustrious career — she will soon add an honorary Oscar to her impressive list of accolades.
The 75-year-old actor, director, choreographer, dancer, singer, and producer (a true multihyphenate talent) has been named as one of the recipients of the 2025 Governors Awards. She will be honored alongside Tom Cruise, production designer Wynn Thomas, and Dolly Parton, the latter of whom will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The awards ceremony will take place on Nov. 16 in Los Angeles.
Allen began her career in Broadway theater, making her debut in the chorus of Purlie in 1970. She made her television debut in 1976 on the sitcom Good Times and later appeared in Roots: The Next Generations and the TV movie Ragtime. In 1980, she starred in the film Fame and subsequently reprised her role as dance teacher Lydia Grant in the television adaptation in 1982. For six seasons, Allen also served as the show’s principal choreographer.
In the decades since, Allen has established herself as one of the industry’s most versatile artists. In addition to her work as an actor and choreographer, she has directed over 100 episodes of television for shows such as A Different World, All of Us, and Grey’s Anatomy. Allen also choreographed the Academy Awards show for 10 years, six of which were consecutive. Throughout her career, she has amassed an impressive list of awards and accolades.
The Emmys
Allen has been nominated for 21 Primetime Emmys and one Daytime Emmy as an actress, choreographer, director, and producer. She won four Emmys for choreography, tying with Derek Hough for the most wins in this category. Her victories came in 1982 and 1983 (Fame), 1991 (Motown 30: What’s Goin’ On!), and 2021 (Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square). Allen won her fifth Emmy in 2021 for Best TV Movie as a producer on Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (also shared by Parton).
Four of Allen’s Emmy nominations were in the Best Drama Actress category for playing Lydia Grant in Fame. She lost her first bid in 1982 to Michael Learned (Nurse) before losing three in a row to Tyne Daly (Cagney & Lacey) from 1983 to 1985.
In 2021, the TV Academy honored Allen with the Governor’s Award, for her achievements in television and her commitment to inspire and engage marginalized youth through dance, theater arts, and mentorship.
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The Golden Globes
Allen was nominated for three consecutive Golden Globes — all for Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Musical — for the role of Lydia Grant in Fame. She won the award in 1983 and lost the next two to Joanna Cassidy (Buffalo Bill) and Shelley Long (Cheers).
The Tony Awards
Debbie Allen has been nominated for two Tony Awards. She received her first bid in 1980 for playing Anita in the revival of West Side Story. Her second shot came in 1986 for the role of Charity in the musical Sweet Charity. Allen lost both times — to Priscilla Lopez (A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine) and Bernadette Peters (Song and Dance), respectively.
Other accolades
In 2020, Allen was a Kennedy Center Honoree for her lifetime of contributions to American culture through the performing arts. She was celebrated alongside Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, Midori, and Dick Van Dyke.
As a producer on Steven Spielberg’s film Amistad, Allen was nominated for Best Picture at the 1998 PGA Awards, where she was also awarded the Vision Award along with coproducers Spielberg and Colin Wilson.
Hollywood visitors can snap photos of her star on the Walk of Fame, which she received in 1991. It’s located across the street from the famous Dolby Theatre.
