Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, director, producer, and former President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities member. She has been nominated 20 times for an Emmy Award (winning five) and two Tony Awards. She has also won a Golden Globe Award and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Allen is best known for her work in the musical-drama television series "Fame," where she portrayed dance teacher Lydia Grant and served as the series' principal choreographer. For this role, she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography and was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Allen later began working as director and producer, most notably producing and directing 83 of 144 episodes of the NBC comedy series "A Different World." Allen notably plays Dr. Catherine Avery in the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy, where she also serves as an executive producer and director. She has directed more than 50 television and film productions.

Allen opened the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, where she teaches young dancers. She also taught choreography to former Los Angeles Lakers dancer-turned-singer Paula Abdul.