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Debbie Allen
★ Acting

Debbie Allen

Born 1950 · Houston, Texas, USA · Active 1971–2026

Debbie Allen, an American actress and director, made her mark in the late 1970s with her role in The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979). Set against the backdrop of a quirky basketball-themed narrative, Allen's performance adds a unique flair to this cult classic. Known for her dynamic presence, she embodies the spirit of the era, contributing to the film's charm and appeal within the realm of exploitation cinema. Her work continues to resonate with fans of offbeat films and those who appreciate the eclectic offerings of SassyFlix.

▶ Watch on SassyFlix 1 film available
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh

The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh

1979 ★ 6.4
as Ola

The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh tells the story of a struggling professional basketball team, the Pittsburgh Pythons, whose continuous losing streak and lack of talent has made them the laughing stock of Pittsburgh. Several players ask to be traded to other teams, partly due to the bad publicity and the presence of the difficult but highly paid star player, Moses Guthrie (Julius Erving). Believing that the team needs a miracle, ballboy/waterboy Tyrone Millman (James Bond III) turns to astrology to improve the team's fortunes. He brings his idea to astrologer Mona Mondieu (Stockard Channing), and they come up with the perfect concept: a team composed entirely of players born under the astrological sign of Pisces, the star sign of Moses Guthrie. The team is reborn as the "Pittsburgh Pisces". Although Moses and Tyrone's sister (Margaret Avery) think that Tyrone's idea is absurd, they ultimately embrace the concept. The plan succeeds wildly due to the new team's eccentric skills, teamwork, and Mona's astrological readings, culminating in a championship opportunity.  

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Career Highlights Top 6 by popularity · TMDB

Filmography

151 credits
2020s 13 credits
2025
Movie ★ 3.2
2023
The Hidden Power of Purpose as Narrator (voice)
Movie
2022
TV ★ 5.6
2022
TV ★ 5.6
2022
TV ★ 7.8
2022
TV ★ 5.6
2020
Movie ★ 5.2
2020
Movie ★ 7.5
2020
TV ★ 9.5
2010s 11 credits
2019
Movie ★ 5.0
2019
Tamron Hall as Self - Guest
TV ★ 4.7
2018
Movie ★ 6.0
2017
Raven's Home as Great Aunt Maureen
TV ★ 7.7
2017
S.W.A.T. as Charice Harrelson
TV ★ 8.0
2015
TV ★ 7.7
2014
Jane the Virgin as Beverly Flores
TV ★ 7.9
2013
Movie
2000s 24 credits
2009
Next Day Air as Ms. Jackson
Movie ★ 5.2
2009
Fame as Ms. Angela Simms
Movie ★ 5.7
2009
TV ★ 7.3
2008
Movie
2007
Tournament of Dreams as Rhonda Dillins
Movie ★ 3.6
2006
Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story as American Idol Auditionee in Sunglasses
Movie ★ 6.2
2005
Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards as Anita (segment "West Side Story") (archive footage)
Movie ★ 7.2
2005
Movie ★ 4.3
2005
TV ★ 8.1
2005
Grey's Anatomy as Catherine Fox
TV ★ 8.2
2005
Bring Back... as Self - Lydia Grant
TV ★ 6.0
2005
Grey's Anatomy as Catherine Avery
TV ★ 8.2
2005
TV ★ 8.1
2005
So You Think You Can Dance as Self - Guest Judge
TV ★ 6.8
2003
TV ★ 7.2
2002
Movie ★ 8.7
2001
Movie ★ 9.0
2001
The Old Settler as Quilly McGrath
Movie ★ 3.8
2001
The Painting as Bertha Lee Gilmore
Movie ★ 7.3
2001
TV ★ 7.1
2000
Everything's Jake as Debbie Allen
Movie ★ 7.0
1990s 18 credits
1999
Movie ★ 6.1
1999
Movie ★ 4.7
1997
Movie
1996
TV ★ 6.3
1995
Out-of-Sync as Manicurist
Movie ★ 4.5
1995
In the House as Jackie Warren
TV ★ 7.7
1995
TV ★ 6.3
1994
Movie ★ 4.0
1994
Blank Check as Yvonne
Movie ★ 6.0
1994
Touched by an Angel as Valerie Hill
TV ★ 7.2
1993
TV ★ 4.5
1992
Movie
1991
Sunday in Paris as Sunday Chase
Movie ★ 6.0
1990
Movie ★ 10.0
1980s 18 credits
1989
Movie
1989
Quantum Leap as Joanna Chapman
TV ★ 8.0
1987
Movie ★ 6.0
1987
A Different World as Dr. Langhorne
TV ★ 7.0
1987
A Different World as Debbie Allen (uncredited)
TV ★ 7.0
1986
Movie ★ 6.4
1985
Movie ★ 8.0
1985
Movie ★ 7.5
1984
Movie
1984
TV ★ 7.0
1984
Celebrity as Regina Brown
TV ★ 6.7
1983
Women of San Quentin as Carol Freeman
Movie ★ 5.0
1982
Movie ★ 6.3
1982
Fame as Lydia Grant
TV ★ 6.8
1981
Ragtime as Sarah
Movie ★ 7.0
1980
Fame as Lydia
Movie ★ 6.4
1970s 10 credits
1979
Movie ★ 5.7
1979
Ebony, Ivory and Jade as Claire 'Ebony' Bryant
Movie ★ 7.5
1979
Roots: The Next Generations as Nan Branch Haley
TV ★ 7.4
1977
Movie ★ 7.0
1977
The Love Boat as Selena Moore
TV ★ 6.3
1977
3 Girls 3 as Self
TV
1974
TV ★ 8.0
1971
TV ★ 6.1
s 2 credits
Splinter as Mrs. James
Movie
Crew Credits
2020s 8 credits
2026
TV
2024
Movie ★ 7.5
2022
A Jazzman's Blues Choreographer
Movie ★ 7.5
2022
Movie ★ 5.7
2021
TV ★ 7.9
2020
Movie ★ 5.8
2020
Movie ★ 5.8
2020
Movie ★ 5.8
2010s 11 credits
2019
Movie ★ 5.0
2016
Insecure Director
TV ★ 7.1
2015
Empire Director
TV ★ 7.1
2014
Movie
2014
TV ★ 7.9
2014
TV ★ 7.8
2013
Movie
2013
TV ★ 7.3
2012
TV ★ 6.6
2010
Hellcats Director
TV ★ 7.5
2000s 9 credits
2006
The Game Director
TV ★ 7.6
2005
TV ★ 8.1
2005
TV ★ 8.2
2003
All of Us Director
TV ★ 7.2
2003
TV ★ 7.2
2002
TV ★ 7.1
2001
Movie ★ 3.8
2000
Girlfriends Director
TV ★ 7.3
1990s 13 credits
1999
The Parkers Director
TV ★ 8.0
1997
Amistad Producer
Movie ★ 7.0
1997
The Middle Passage Executive Producer
Movie
1997
TV ★ 9.0
1996
TV ★ 6.8
1995
Out-of-Sync Director
Movie ★ 4.5
1995
Forget Paris Choreographer
Movie ★ 6.3
1993
Movie ★ 5.8
1993
TV ★ 6.5
1992
Movie
1990
Movie ★ 8.5
1990
TV ★ 7.9
1980s 14 credits
1989
Polly Director
Movie ★ 8.2
1989
Movie
1989
Movie
1989
Movie
1989
TV ★ 8.0
1989
Quantum Leap Choreographer
TV ★ 8.0
1987
TV ★ 7.0
1987
TV ★ 7.0
1987
TV ★ 6.5
1985
Movie ★ 7.5
1985
Movie ★ 7.5
1985
Movie ★ 7.5
1982
Family Ties Director
TV ★ 7.2
1982
Fame Director
TV ★ 6.8