She went on to star in shows like: In The House, Quantum Leap, The Cosby Show, Sinbad, Everybody Hates Chris, The Old Settler, Jane The Virgin, Grace and Frankie, to name just a few.
She also went on to direct shows like: All of Us, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Scandal, Empire, Hellcats, Everyone Hates Chris, Polly Comin' Home, That's So Raven etc...
In 1988 she choreographed the short lived Broadway musical "Carrie", which featured Gene Anthony Ray she would also continue doing the choreography on a number of shows she worked on as an actress and producer. She would choreograph the Academy Awards show 10 time.
In 1989 she had her own TV Special to showcase her acting, singing and dancing and also released her solo album on MCA records titled "Special Look".
She became the producer and director of "A Different World" transforming the Cosby Show spin off into a popular and groundbreaking TV show in it's own right which helped triple the enrollment in black colleges.
In 1991 Debbie was awarded a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame. Her other awards include 6 Emmy Award Wins, NAACP Image Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Essence Black Women in Hollywood Award, Black Reel Awards For TV, Online Film and TV Association, PGA Awards, Golden Apple Award, Acapulco Black Film Festival Award and in 2020 she became a Kennedy Center Honoree. In addition George W Bush appointed her as a member of the Presidents Committee
One project that Debbie was specifically passionate about was "Amistad" which Debbie was a producer for and was eventually made and released in 1997. Debbie had spent 10 years trying to get the story made into a feature film but kept coming up against brick walls until a meeting with Steven Speilberg changed the course of events.
Over the course of her illustrious career Debbie has worked with, directed, produced or choreographed for the likes of Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Michael Jordan, Sammy Davis Jnr, to name just a few.
In 2001 Debbie decided to invest her money in another special project. Having played a teacher on "Fame" and been involved in creating and choreography so many shows, she felt she needed provide a facility where young people could study dance and performing. The Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) was born. A non profit organisation, that gives scholarships to young people who want to be dancers.
As well as acting, dancing and being creative behind the scenes of so many productions in the Theatre, Television and films, Debbie published her first book titled "Dancing In The Wings" in 2003.
As well as her other projects Debbie started guest starring on Grey's Anatomy in 2011. The following year she began directing the show and now is the Executive Producer director.
Debbie has created many shows over the years including "Freeze Frame - Stop the Madness" dealing with gun crime and the annual "Hot Chocolate Nutcracker" spectacular. She has also lent her name and celebrity to many causes to highlight issues and help support people, including Diabetes awareness, Eye Care awareness and the One Billion Rising campaign to end rape and sexual violence.
Throughout her long and creative career Debbie has always been loyal to "Fame". In 2003 she became a judge on the Fame talent show and was the school Principal in the 2009 remake Movie. She has also taken part in Reunions for the BBC in 2003, The ET 40th Anniversary Reunion in 2022 and joined her cast members on stage at the Troubadour in 2017 for a Reunion concert to raise funds for the Actors funds.
She has stated that she has also tried to get the rights to "Fame" to produce a reboot of the TV. So far that hasn't been successful but with Debbie anything is possible.
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