Messing had a relatively normal childhood, dreaming of a life on the stage.
But she wasn’t prepared for the fame that her TV career would bring.
In fact, she’s still eager to act on stage whenever she gets the chance.
Plus, Messing has been exploring other mediums as she’s gotten older.
She even has her own podcast.
Here is the stunning transformation of Debra Messing.
Regarding her hometown, she told The Gentlewoman that most of her friends never even left her small town.
Messing’s parents were her first inspiration, teaching her the importance of hard work and discipline.
It’s always been magic to me."
Messing saw “Annie,” her first play, when she was 7.
As she toldVariety, “I remember it just blowing my mind.”
She instantly knew that theater was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
Her parents gave her their full support.
“My late mother always said: ‘Someone’s got to do it, why not you?”
Messing recalled toThe Guardian.
Throughout her life, Messing remembered her mother’s supportive words, and she kept persevering with her dream.
The actress toldImagistathat it wasn’t easy getting a spot at the school.
At her audition, the waiting area was filled with nervous young aspiring actors.
So, what made her stand out from the crowd?
She said, “I think they saw how hungry I was.
Messing toldVarietythat the course focused on the classic playwrights, citing Shakespeare, Pinter, and Ibsen.
Messing playedHarper, an agoraphobe who hallucinates throughout the play.
An agent happened to see her performance and signed her then and there.
Her next role was in an off-Broadway play called “Four Dogs and a Bone.”
Actress Elaine Stritch came to see the play and gave her a confidence boost she would never forget.
Messing toldImagista, “She said, ‘You’re like me.
you’ve got the option to do anything.
People aren’t gonna believe it.
But you must never forget it.'”
Not too long afterwards, Messing was starring in “Will & Grace.”
Her big break, she toldImagista, was in “NYPD Blue.”
So, when her agents put her up for “Will & Grace,” she was pretty tired.
Although she was initially hesitant, she eventually agreed to meet the team, and the rest is history.
“Will & Grace” was a hit, and Messing was suddenly a star.
At first, it wasn’t easy getting recognized.
In fact, it would be several years before she got the hang of it.
Nevertheless, Grace became Messing’s career-defining role.
In fact, unrealistic beauty standards were prevalent in the industry.
Messing felt that she was letting people down because of her weight.
Messing began a restrictive diet and a strict exercise regimen.
Messing continued to lose weight, but never felt good enough.
Eventually, Messing reached a size 2, which Messing now admits is “too skinny.”
It’s great to see that Messing is speaking up about these unfair industry standards.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available.
For Messing, having just one child felt like the right option.
However, it wasn’t always easy striking a balance between work and home life.
Initially, Messing felt guilty about leaving her son to work.
But, over time, she learned that striking a balance was important.
Eventually, Messing found a way to do both at once.
She toldToday, she managed to bring her son to set with her while filming.
Apparently, he even got involved in calling “action” and making a few casting suggestions!
One year after “Will & Grace” ended, Messing played Molly in “The Starter Wife.”
Her next role was in “Smash.”
One year later, she signed onto the show “The Mysteries of Laura.”
The dramatic cop show couldn’t have been more different to “Will & Grace.”
And as Messing toldToday, that suited her well.
“It has everything for me,” she said.
“I mean it really does keep me on my toes and it keeps me creatively interested.”
After an 11-year marriage and a 20-year relationship, the pairparted waysin 2011.
For Messing, the split was as amiable as it could be.
I feel like the 20 years we had together has been a huge success.
And despite the fact that everything is changing, I think everyone is thriving.”
She also confirmed that she and her ex-husband were completely focused on what was best for their son.
Of course, the divorce meant that Messing’s life changed completely.
As she explained to InStyle, she used her platform to voice her opinions.
Messing has been so vocal on social media that she’s received some criticism.
For Debra Messing, the chance to step into Grace’s shoes once again was a pleasure.
Not only did Messing get to play Grace again, but she also got to improve the character.
As she told InStyle, she convinced the producers to make her a proud feminist.
For Messing, the reboot came at the perfect time.
Of course, it took Messing a little while before she felt like she could play Grace again.
She toldPopSugar, “That was very kind of scary, uncomfortable feeling.”
But for Debra Messing, it’s something to celebrate.
As she explained toPage Six, getting older had made her re-evaluate her lifestyle.
She said, “It was a lot at first.
It was very difficult.”
Clearly, it paid off the actress said that she felt incredible by the time she reached 50.
Turning 40, she explained, hadn’t been nearly as good!
On her 50th birthday, she posted a picture onInstagram, writing, “This is 50.
And I feel pretty good about it.”
In a video forPlayMakers Repertoryin 2020, she said, “I love the theater.
In 2020, Messing did get a chance to return with the play “Birthday Candles.”
Along with Mandana Dayani, Messing co-founded the podcast “The Dissenters.”
The weekly podcast features interviews with “their heroes.”
“I’ve always been a really curious person,” she said.
The podcast also gave her the chance to become more political than ever.
By the sounds of things, Debra Messing’s transformation is just beginning.
