Debbie Allen - wikipedia Debbie Allen Debbie Allen Allen in 2012 Deborah Kaye Allen ( 1950 - 01 - 16 ) January 16, 1950 ( age 68 ) Houston, Texas, U.S. Nationality American Education Howard University Occupation Actress, choreographer, dancer, film director, television director, television producer Years active 1976 -- present Spouse ( s ) Win Wilford ( m. 1975 -- 1983 ) Norm Nixon ( m. 1984 ) Relatives Phylicia Rashad ( sister ) Vivian Nixon ( daughter ) Norman Nixon Jr. Awards 1982 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography ( Fame ) 1982 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress -- Television Series Musical or Comedy ( Fame ) 1983 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography ( Fame ) 1991 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography ( Motown 30 : What 's Goin ' On ! ) Website Debbie Allen Dance Academy Debbie Allen Twitter Deborah Kaye `` Debbie '' Allen ( born January 16, 1950 ) is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President 's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. She is perhaps best known for her work on the 1982 musical - drama television series Fame, where she portrayed dance teacher Lydia Grant, and served as the series ' principal choreographer. She currently portrays Catherine Avery on Grey 's Anatomy. She is the younger sister of actress / director / singer Phylicia Rashad. Contents 1 Life and career 1.1 Early life 1.2 Challenges with racism 1.3 Career 1.4 Awards and honors 1.5 Personal life 2 Work 2.1 Film 2.2 Television 2.3 Choreographer 2.4 Director 2.5 Producer 2.6 Writer 2.7 Dance 3 See also 4 References 5 External links Life and career Early life Allen was born in Houston, Texas, the third child to orthodontist Andrew Arthur Allen Jr. and Pulitzer Prize - nominated artist, poet, playwright, scholar, and publisher, Vivian ( née Ayers ) Allen, She went on to earn a B.A. degree in classical Greek literature, speech, and theater from Howard University. She holds honoris causa Doctorates from Howard University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She currently teaches young dancers. She also taught choreography to former Los Angeles Lakers dancer - turned - singer, Paula Abdul. Her daughter, Vivian Nixon, played Kalimba in the Broadway production of Hot Feet. Challenges with racism After her trip with her family from Mexico, both Debbie Allen and her family decided to return to their permanent home in Texas. When she returned to her home in Texas, Debbie Allen auditioned at the Houston Ballet School at the age of twelve. Even though her audition performance exceeded beyond the qualifications of admission, Debbie Allen was denied admission to the school due to systemic racism that had corrupted the process. A year after hearing this devastating news, Allen was given another chance and was admitted by a Russian instructor who accidentally saw Debbie Allen perform in a show. Once admission recruiters from the Houston Ballet School became aware of the situation, they allowed Allen to stay in the institution because they were pleased with the talent she had showcased. This is not the only incident Allen had experienced racism. When she was sixteen, she had a successful audition for the North Carolina School of the Arts, and was given an opportunity to demonstrate dance techniques to other prospective students applying to the institution. Unfortunately, Allen was rejected acceptance due to her body not being suited for ballet. In many cases, African American dancers were often discouraged from dance because they were told their body structure did not fit the preferred stereotype ballet dancer 's body. This prejudice effectively barred many talented and skilled dancers from ballet. After receiving numerous rejections, Allen decided to mainly focus on her academics and, from then on, was well on her way to the start of her career. Career Allen in 1983 Debbie Allen had her Broadway debut in the chorus of Purlie. Allen also created the role of Beneatha in the Tony Award - winning musical Raisin. She first began receiving critical attention in 1980 for her appearance in the role of Anita in the Broadway revival of West Side Story which earned her a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk Award, she would receive a second Tony Award nomination in 1986 for her performance in the title role of Bob Fosse 's Sweet Charity. One of her earlier television appearances was in the TV sitcom Good Times in a memorable 2 - part episode titled `` J.J. 's Fiancee ' '' as J.J. 's drug - addicted fiancée, Diana. Allen was first introduced as Lydia Grant in the 1980 film Fame. Although her role in the film was relatively small, Lydia would become a central figure in the television adaptation, which ran from 1982 to 1987. During the opening montage of each episode, Grant told her students : `` You 've got big dreams ? You want fame ? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying... in sweat. '' Allen was nominated for the Emmy Award for Best Actress four times during the show 's run. She is the only actress to have appeared in all three screen incarnations of Fame, playing Lydia Grant in both the 1980 film and 1982 television series and playing the school principal in the 2009 remake. Allen was also lead choreographer for the film and television series, winning two Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe Award. In 1981, she had the important role of Sarah, the lover of Coalhouse Walker ( Howard E. Rollins ) who is killed while trying to defend him in the movie version of the best - selling novel Ragtime. The same role earned a Tony Award for Audra McDonald, for her performance in the Broadway musical. In an article from the Museum of Broadcast Communications, The Hollywood Reporter commented on Allen 's impact as the producer - director of the television series, A Different World. The show dealt with the life of students at the fictional historically black college, Hillman, and ran for six seasons on NBC. Debbie Allen was also selected to appear in the 1979 miniseries Roots : The Next Generations by Alex Haley where she plays the wife of Haley. In 2008 she directed the all - African - American Broadway production of Tennessee Williams ' Pulitzer Prize - winning drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, starring stage veterans James Earl Jones ( Big Daddy ), her sister Phylicia Rashad ( Big Mama ) and Anika Noni Rose ( Maggie the Cat ), as well as film actor Terrence Howard, who made his Broadway debut as Brick. The production, with some roles recast, had a limited run ( 2009 -- April 2010 ) in London. Allen has released two solo albums, 1986 's Sweet Charity and 1989 's Special Look which also had several singles off the album. In 1995, Allen lent her voice ( as well directing the voice cast ) to the children 's animated series C Bear and Jamal for Film Roman and Fox Kids. In 2001, Allen fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, California. Allen 's academy offers a comprehensive curriculum for boys and girls ages four to eighteen in all the major dance techniques including Classical Ballet, Modern, African, Jazz, and Hip - Hop. In addition, special workshops are held for concentration in the Peking Opera, Martial Arts dance techniques, Flamenco, Salsa, and Tap. Debbie Allen was awarded an honorary doctorate from the North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as from her Alma Mater, Howard University. Since 2007, Allen has participated as a judge and mentor for the U.S. version of So You Think You Can Dance. She had to step aside at the end of Vegas week in Season 4 to avoid perception of bias, as one of her former dancers, Will, made it to the top 20. Awards and honors Allen was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001 as a member of the President 's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. For her contributions to the television industry, Debbie Allen was honored in 1991 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6904 Hollywood Boulevard in the center of Hollywood directly opposite the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. Allen was presented with the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement, at the 1992 UCLA Spring Sing. Three - time Emmy Award winner for Choreography for the series Fame and The Motown 25th Anniversary Special. 10 Image Awards as a director, actress, choreographer and producer for Fame, A Different World, Motown 25, The Academy Awards, The Debbie Allen Special and Amistad. On February 4, 2009, Debbie Allen was honored for her contributions to dance and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Nia Peeples at The Carnival : Choreographer 's Ball 10th anniversary show. Personal life Allen is married to former NBA player Norm Nixon, and they have three children : dancer Vivian Nichole Nixon, basketball player Norman Ellard Nixon Jr. ( Wofford College & Southern University ), and DeVaughn Nixon. Allen was previously married to Win Wilford from 1975 to 1983. She is the sister of actress / director / singer Phylicia Rashad ( with whom she once co-starred on an episode of The Cosby Show ), and Tex Allen ( Andrew Arthur Allen III, born 1945 ), noted jazz composer. Work Film Fame ( 2009 film ) -- Principal Angela Simms Blank Check ( 1994 ) -- Yvonne Ragtime ( 1981 ) -- Sarah Fame ( 1980 film ) -- Lydia Grant Next Day Air ( 2009 ) -- Ms. Jackson The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh ( 1979 ) -- Ola Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling ( 1986 ) -- Michelle Alice At The Palace -- Red Queen Stompin ' At The Savoy Old Settler The Twist Tournament of Dreams The Painting aka Soldiers of Change - Bertha Lee Gilmore Television 3 Girls 3 : Variety show All of Us : `` Parents Just Do n't Understand '' A Different World -- Dr. Langhorne The Cosby Show -- Emma `` Captain Bone - crusher '' Newhouse Roots : The Next Generations -- Nan Fame -- Lydia Grant In The House -- Jackie Warren Good Times -- Diana ( J.J. 's Junkie Fiancée ) C Bear and Jamal ( voice ) Spike Lee & Company : Do It a Cappella -- Herself ( Documentary ) Quantum Leap -- Joanna Chapman So You Think You Can Dance, seasons 3, 4 and 5 -- Guest Judge Grey 's Anatomy ( 2011 -- present ) -- Dr. Catherine Avery The Love Boat ( 1978 Dance Moms 2016 - 2017 Jane the Virgin 2016 -- Beverly Flores Choreographer The Academy Awards Show for ten years, six of which were consecutive Carrie Molly Doodle Fame ( 2009 ) Director With The Kids from `` Fame '' ( 1983 ). Debbie Allen is center, with sunglasses on top of her head. Girlfriends Quantum Leap Everybody Hates Chris All of Us Life Is Not a Fairy Tale That 's So Raven The Jamie Foxx Show A Different World The Fresh Prince of Bel - Air Family Ties Fame ( 1982 TV series ) Polly Polly : Coming Home Out - of - Sync C Bear and Jamal ( voice director ) The Twilight Zone ( 2002 TV series ) The Parkers Grey 's Anatomy Hellcats Army Wives The Client List Let 's Stay Together Scandal Jane the Virgin Insecure How to Get Away with Murder Empire Survivor 's Remorse Producer Amistad with Steven Spielberg. Soldiers of Change with Michael Armand Hammer. Writer Movement magazine, regular columnist since 2006 Dancing in the Wings Paperback, by Debbie Allen ( Author ), Kadir Nelson ( Illustrator ) Dance West Side Story ( Broadway ) Dancing in the Wings Brothers of the Night Just Dance ( 2010 ) Dance Moms ( 2016 ) See also The Kids from `` Fame '' References Jump up ^ `` Current Members ''. President 's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Archived from the original on January 16, 2005. Retrieved August 13, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Debbie Allen, Culver City, California ''. President 's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. 2008. Archived from the original on January 17, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2008. ^ Jump up to : Lawrence, Muhammad. `` One - woman dynamo ''. The Courier - Journal, September 12, 1999 Jump up ^ http://www.blackpast.org/aaw/allen-debbie-1950 Jump up ^ https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/29/arts/television-debbie-allen-chips-away-at-the-glass-ceiling.html Jump up ^ http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/breaking-barriers-on-the-stage-african-american-ballet-dancers-history/ Jump up ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/opinion/black-dancers-white-ballets.html Jump up ^ `` Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com ''. Biography. Retrieved 2017 - 03 - 30. Jump up ^ Darnell Hunt. `` A Different World - U.S. Situation Comedy ''. Museum.tv. Archived from the original on February 10, 2006. Retrieved April 12, 2008. Jump up ^ Michael Billington ( December 2, 2009 ) `` Cat On a Hot Tin Roof '', The Guardian Jump up ^ Transcript : Debbie Allen. Tavis Smiley PBS, March 21, 2008 Jump up ^ `` Debbie Allen -- Hollywood Walk of Fame ''. Jump up ^ `` Calendar & Events : Spring Sing : Gershwin Award ''. UCLA. Jump up ^ `` The Carnival : Getting The `` Groove On '' For 10 Years ``. Hollywire.com. February 2, 2009. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012. Jump up ^ Peter Vecsey ( March 13, 2007 ). `` BASN 's Hometown Hero ''. blackathlete.net. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2008. Jump up ^ PEOPLE : `` AND BABY MAKES FOUR ''. -- The Dallas Morning News. -- September 2, 1987. Jump up ^ Dave Mackall ( May 31, 2007 ) `` Nixon fondly remembers Duquesne ''. -- Pittsburgh Tribune - Review. Jump up ^ Joseph Schiefelbein ( October 17, 2008 ) `` Spivery, Jaguars to begin practice '', The Advocate. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Debbie Allen. Debbie Allen PlaybillVault.com Debbie Allen at the Internet Broadway Database Debbie Allen on IMDb Debbie Allen at AllMovie Debbie Allen on Twitter Debbie Allen at The Interviews : An Oral History of Television Awards for Debbie Allen Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Donna Theodore ( 1975 ) Vivian Reed ( 1976 ) Dorothy Loudon ( 1977 ) Bobo Lewis / Swoosie Kurtz ( 1978 ) Merle Louise ( 1979 ) Debbie Allen ( 1980 ) Marilyn Cooper ( 1981 ) Liliane Montevecchi ( 1982 ) Karla Burns ( 1983 ) Catherine Cox / Lila Kedrova ( 1984 ) Leilani Jones ( 1985 ) Jana Schneider ( 1986 ) Jane Summerhays ( 1987 ) Joanna Gleason ( 1988 ) Randy Graff ( 1990 ) Karen Ziemba ( 1991 ) Barbara Walsh ( 1992 ) Andrea Martin ( 1993 ) Audra McDonald ( 1994 ) Rachel York ( 1996 ) Lillias White ( 1997 ) Tsidii Le Loka ( 1998 ) Kristin Chenoweth ( 1999 ) Karen Ziemba ( 2000 ) Cady Huffman ( 2001 ) Harriet Sansom Harris ( 2002 ) Jane Krakowski ( 2003 ) Isabel Keating ( 2004 ) Jan Maxwell ( 2005 ) Beth Leavel ( 2006 ) Debra Monk ( 2007 ) Laura Benanti ( 2008 ) Haydn Gwynne ( 2009 ) Katie Finneran ( 2010 ) Laura Benanti ( 2011 ) Judy Kaye ( 2012 ) Andrea Martin ( 2013 ) Anika Larsen / Lauren Worsham ( 2014 ) Renée Elise Goldsberry ( 2015 ) Jane Krakowski ( 2016 ) Jenn Colella ( 2017 ) Lindsay Mendez ( 2018 ) Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography ( 1976 -- 2000 ) Tony Charmoli ( 1976 ) Ron Field ( 1977 ) Ron Field ( 1978 ) Kevin Carlisle ( 1979 ) Alan Johnson ( 1980 ) Walter Painter ( 1981 ) Debbie Allen ( 1982 ) Debbie Allen ( 1983 ) Michael Smuin ( 1984 ) Twyla Tharp ( 1985 ) Walter Painter ( 1986 ) Michael Peters and Dee Dee Wood ( 1987 ) Alan Johnson ( 1988 ) Walter Painter / Paula Abdul ( 1989 ) Paula Abdul, Dean Barlow, and Michael Darrin ( 1990 ) Debbie Allen ( 1991 ) Paul Taylor ( 1992 ) Michael Peters ( 1993 ) Linda Talcott ( 1994 ) Ulysses Dove ( 1995 ) Anita Mann and Charonne Mose ( 1996 ) Marguerite Derricks / Sarah Kawahara ( 1997 ) Marguerite Derricks and Peggy Holmes ( 1998 ) Judith Jamison / Marguerite Derricks ( 1999 ) Rob Marshall ( 2000 ) Complete list ( 1950 -- 1975 ) ( 1976 -- 2000 ) ( 2001 -- present ) Golden Globe Award for Best Actress -- Television Series Musical or Comedy Donna Reed ( 1962 ) Inger Stevens ( 1963 ) Mary Tyler Moore ( 1964 ) Anne Francis ( 1965 ) Marlo Thomas ( 1966 ) Carol Burnett ( 1967 ) Diahann Carroll ( 1968 ) Carol Burnett / Julie Sommars ( 1969 ) Mary Tyler Moore ( 1970 ) Carol Burnett ( 1971 ) Jean Stapleton ( 1972 ) Cher / Jean Stapleton ( 1973 ) Valerie Harper ( 1974 ) Cloris Leachman ( 1975 ) Carol Burnett ( 1976 ) Carol Burnett ( 1977 ) Linda Lavin ( 1978 ) Linda Lavin ( 1979 ) Katherine Helmond ( 1980 ) Eileen Brennan ( 1981 ) Debbie Allen ( 1982 ) Joanna Cassidy ( 1983 ) Shelley Long ( 1984 ) Estelle Getty / Cybill Shepherd ( 1985 ) Cybill Shepherd ( 1986 ) Tracey Ullman ( 1987 ) Candice Bergen ( 1988 ) Jamie Lee Curtis ( 1989 ) Kirstie Alley ( 1990 ) Candice Bergen ( 1991 ) Roseanne Barr ( 1992 ) Helen Hunt ( 1993 ) Helen Hunt ( 1994 ) Cybill Shepherd ( 1995 ) Helen Hunt ( 1996 ) Calista Flockhart ( 1997 ) Jenna Elfman ( 1998 ) Sarah Jessica Parker ( 1999 ) Sarah Jessica Parker ( 2000 ) Sarah Jessica Parker ( 2001 ) Jennifer Aniston ( 2002 ) Sarah Jessica Parker ( 2003 ) Teri Hatcher ( 2004 ) Mary - Louise Parker ( 2005 ) America Ferrera ( 2006 ) Tina Fey ( 2007 ) Tina Fey ( 2008 ) Toni Collette ( 2009 ) Laura Linney ( 2010 ) Laura Dern ( 2011 ) Lena Dunham ( 2012 ) Amy Poehler ( 2013 ) Gina Rodriguez ( 2014 ) Rachel Bloom ( 2015 ) Tracee Ellis Ross ( 2016 ) Rachel Brosnahan ( 2017 ) BNF : cb13985449f ( data ) ISNI : 0000 0001 1443 5847 LCCN : n87817324 MusicBrainz : 75f98f88 - bd76 - 4623 - bc26 - a2befef3a9b0 SNAC : w6r22mcg VIAF : 49417391 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Debbie_Allen&oldid=850621490 '' Categories : 1950 births Living people 20th - century American actresses 21st - century American actresses Actresses from Houston African - American female dancers African - American dancers African - American actresses African - American film directors African - American television directors African - American television producers African - American choreographers American choreographers American female dancers Dancers from Texas American film actresses American stage actresses American television actresses American television directors American television producers Women television producers American women choreographers American women film directors Best Musical or Comedy Actress Golden Globe ( television ) winners Drama Desk Award winners Film directors from Texas Voice directors Howard University alumni Primetime Emmy Award winners University of California, Los Angeles faculty Women television directors Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from July 2013 Articles with hCards All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from September 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from May 2010 Internet Broadway Database person ID same as Wikidata Articles with IBDb links Articles using Template : The Interviews name Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers Wikipedia articles with SNAC - 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Question: who plays catherine avery on grey's anatomy
Answer: Deborah Kaye "Debbie" Allen