Craig Charles
English actor, comedian & DJ
Debbie Reynolds was an acclaimed American actress, singer, and businesswoman. She had a successful career spanning nearly 70 years, starring in numerous hit films such as Singin’ in the Rain, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and many others. Debbie Reynolds was also known for her cabaret performances, her ownership of a dance studio, and her extensive film memorabilia collection.
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About the Debbie Reynolds
Mary Frances “Debbie” Reynoldswas an American actress, singer, and businesswoman. Her career spanned almost 70 years. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer with her portrayal of Helen Kane in the 1950 film Three Little Words. Her breakout role was her first leading role, as Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rainand released her first pop music album, titled Debbie.
She starred in Singin’ in the Rainwith Gene Kelly, How the West Was Wonand In & Out (1997). Reynolds was also known as a cabaret performer; in 1979, she opened the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood, which was eventually demolished in 2019. The building would go on to be sold at auction, despite efforts to turn it into a museum.
In 1969, Reynolds starred in a television program, The Debbie Reynolds Show, earning her a Golden Globe nomination. In 1973, she starred in the Broadway revival of the musical Irene, which earned her a Tony Award nomination for “Best Leading Actress in a Musical.” She was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance in A Gift of Love (1999). After appearing in the popular early-2000s sitcom Will & Grace, Reynolds was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series” for her role of Bobbi (the mother of lead character Grace Adler).
Also around the turn of the millennium, Reynolds reached a new, younger audience with her role as Aggie Cromwell in Disney’s Halloweentown series. In 1988, she published her autobiography titled Debbie: My Life; in 2013, she released a second autobiography, titled Unsinkable: A Memoir.
Reynolds also had several business ventures (besides the ownership of her dance studio), including a Las Vegas hotel and casino; she was also an avid collector of film memorabilia, beginning with items purchased at the landmark 1970 MGM Auction. She served as president of The Thalians, an organization dedicated to mental health causes. Reynolds continued to successfully perform on stage, television, and in films into her 80s. In January 2015, she received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. In 2016, she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. In the same year, a documentary about her life was released, titled Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds–which would be her final film appearance; the film premiered on HBO on January 7, 2017.
Reynolds died following a hemorrhagic stroke on December 28, 2016, one day after the death of her daughter, actress Carrie Fisher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Debbie Reynolds’ full name is Mary Frances ,Debbie, Reynolds.
Debbie Reynolds’ breakout role was as Kathy Selden in the 1952 film Singin’ in the Rain.
Debbie Reynolds was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the biographical film The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
Debbie Reynolds opened the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood, which she owned until it was demolished in 2019.
The documentary film about Debbie Reynolds’ life that was released in 2016 was titled Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.
Debbie Reynolds passed away on December 28, 2016, one day after the death of her daughter, actress Carrie Fisher.
Debbie Reynolds’ first leading role was as Kathy Selden in the 1952 film Singin’ in the Rain.
8 Quotes by Debbie Reynolds
- 1.
I wanted to be as comfortable in that environment as she was. I moved around those areas in character.
Debbie ReynoldsAmerican actress, singer, and dancer (1932-2016)
- 2.
Well, one of the things I did was recreate her home in my home.
Debbie ReynoldsAmerican actress, singer, and dancer (1932-2016)
- 3.
I had the sets that meant so much to this character built – right in my home, especially the kitchen, which was important both for her character and for your introduction to her when Albert comes to visit.
Debbie ReynoldsAmerican actress, singer, and dancer (1932-2016)
- 4.
I wanted to get that sense of peace and even boredom that comes with long familiarity.
Debbie ReynoldsAmerican actress, singer, and dancer (1932-2016)
- 5.
You all know who she is. There’s very little she isn’t.
Debbie ReynoldsAmerican actress, singer, and dancer (1932-2016)
- 6.
I stopped making movies because I don’t like taking my clothes off. Maybe it’s realism, but in my opinion, it’s utter filth.
Debbie ReynoldsAmerican actress, singer, and dancer (1932-2016)
- 7.
I miss the movies. Still, I understood that my kind of movie has had its day. I thought it was over for me.
Debbie ReynoldsAmerican actress, singer, and dancer (1932-2016)
- 8.
I gave it all that I had, and it’s gratifying that others seem to be receiving it so well.
Debbie ReynoldsAmerican actress, singer, and dancer (1932-2016)