--- name: "Debbie Reynolds" canonical: "https://film.one/person/debbie-reynolds" fi1m_id: "debbie-reynolds" imdb_id: "nm0001666" tmdb_id: 8857 wikidata_id: "Q263696" roles: ["Actor"] born: "1 April 1932" died: "28 December 2016" reviewed_on_fi1m: 4 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 4 updated: "2026-09-24T03:41:04.262591+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Debbie Reynolds ## Identity Debbie Reynolds - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/debbie-reynolds - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** debbie-reynolds - **IMDb ID:** nm0001666 - **TMDB ID:** 8857 - **Wikidata ID:** Q263696 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Reynolds, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q263696, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001666/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8857 Actor. Born 1 April 1932 in El Paso, Texas, USA. Died 28 December 2016. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 1 April 1932, El Paso, Texas, USA - **Died:** 28 December 2016 - **Active:** 1952–2013 - **Also known as:** Mary Frances Reynolds - **SAG Awards:** 1 SAG Award (1 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 4 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 93 (1), 1960s 62 (1), 1990s 63 (1), 2010s 81 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 72 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Romance 3, Drama 2, Action 1, Comedy 1, Western 1 - **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $434m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Reynolds, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q263696, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001666/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8857 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Singin' in the Rain*](https://film.one/film/singin-in-the-rain.md) (93) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Debbie Reynolds > Debbie Reynolds can be bright and agreeable without disappearing beside louder performers. Her dancing and comic timing make the case for her; the wholesome parts she was repeatedly given sometimes ask too little. Alongside Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor in *Singin' in the Rain* (1952), Debbie Reynolds holds her place without making a fuss about it. As Kathy Selden, she has less help from the romance than she deserves, but enough presence to keep us interested between routines. We were charmed by her persistence in making Kathy worth watching when the writing had given her so little. Kelly's assurance and O'Connor's unruliness are more conspicuous pleasures. Reynolds makes it possible to enjoy their company without wondering why the film has stopped to accommodate a love story. Her breakthrough there led into a run of 1950s musicals and light comedies, with cheerful, wholesome characters becoming a familiar assignment. *Tammy and the Bachelor* (1957) reinforced that image, and repeated casting in innocent roles limited what she was asked to do. We should give the comic timing its due without pretending those parts were always sufficient. *The Unsinkable Molly Brown* (1964), a boisterous biographical musical with a physically and vocally demanding lead, offered more room for her energy. Kelly was also her dance mentor, but the limited training Reynolds brought to her early musical work is not what we notice in *Singin' in the Rain*. Directors Stanley Donen and Kelly get the benefit of a performer who can keep up without becoming anonymous. The dancing gives her opportunities that the dialogue does not always provide. Our reservation is with the writing: her presence cannot supply the detail missing from Kathy's romance. After years focused on stage and television, *Mother* (1996) returned her to a substantial screen role as Beatrice Henderson. For a first encounter, though, we would go back to Kathy and allow for a romance that gives her too little to do. In *Singin' in the Rain*, the cheerful manner comes with the dancing and the comic timing to justify it. Give her as much attention as the two men; she has earned it. ## Biography Debbie Reynolds, born Mary Frances Reynolds, was an American actress and singer. She was born on 1 April 1932 in El Paso, Texas, and died on 28 December 2016 in Los Angeles, California. She began her film career after winning a beauty contest at the age of 16, leading to a contract with Warner Bros. and later MGM. Her breakthrough came with the role of Kathy Selden in the 1952 musical *Singin' in the Rain*. Reynolds received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in *The Unsinkable Molly Brown* (1964). Other film credits include *The Affairs of Dobie Gillis* (1953), *Bundle of Joy* (1956) and *Mother* (1996). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, britannica.com.* ## On Fi1m (4) - *Behind the Candelabra* (2013), Fi1m 81, as Frances — [page](https://film.one/film/behind-the-candelabra.md) - *The Bodyguard* (1992), Fi1m 63, as Debbie Reynolds — [page](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md) - *How the West Was Won* (1962), Fi1m 62, as Lilith Prescott — [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-west-was-won.md) - *Singin' in the Rain* (1952), Fi1m 93, as Kathy Selden — [page](https://film.one/film/singin-in-the-rain.md) ## Complete filmography (91) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Slippers* (2016), Actor - *The 7D* (2014), series, as Grandmommers Whimsical (voice) - *Behind the Candelabra* (2013), as Frances — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/behind-the-candelabra.md) - *In the Picture* (2012), as Aunt Lilith - *One for the Money* (2012), as Grandma Mazur - *The Penguins of Madagascar* (2008), series, as Granny Squirrel (voice) - *The Jill & Tony Curtis Story* (2008), Actor - *Return to Halloweentown* (2006), as Aggie Cromwell - *Halloweentown High* (2004), as Aggie Cromwell - *Rugrats: Babies in Toyland* (2002), as Lulu Pickles (voice) - *Kim Possible* (2002), series, as Nana Possible (voice) - *First Monday* (2002), series, Actor - *Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge* (2001), as Aggie Cromwell - *These Old Broads* (2001), as Piper Grayson - *Rugrats in Paris: The Movie* (2000), as Lulu Pickles (voice) - *Virtual Mom* (2000), as Gwen - *A Gift of Love: The Daniel Huffman Story* (1999), as Shirlee Allison - *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Mrs. Wilson (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md) - *The Christmas Wish* (1998), as Ruth - *Halloweentown* (1998), as Aggie Cromwell - *Zack & Reba* (1998), as Beulah Blanton - *Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie* (1998), as Mrs. Claus / Mitzi / Mrs. Prancer (voice) - *Will & Grace* (1998), series, as Bobbi Adler - *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas* (1998), as Debbie Reynolds (voice) - *In & Out* (1997), as Berniece Brackett - *Mother* (1996), as Beatrice Henderson - *Wedding Bell Blues* (1996), as Debbie Reynolds - *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Betty Poplovich - *Heaven & Earth* (1993), as Eugenia - *The Bodyguard* (1992), as Debbie Reynolds — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md) - *Battling for Baby* (1992), as Helen - *Rugrats* (1991), series, as Lulu Pickles (voice) - *Wings* (1990), series, as Deedee Chappel - *Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder* (1989), as Amanda Cody - *Roseanne* (1988), series, Actor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/roseanne.md) - *Couples Do It Debbie's Way* (1988), Actor - *Sadie and Son* (1987), as Sadie - *The Golden Girls* (1985), series, as Truby — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-golden-girls.md) - *That's Dancing!* (1985), Actor - *Jennifer Slept Here* (1983), series, as Alice Farrell - *Hotel* (1982), series, Actor - *Aloha Paradise* (1981), series, as Sydney Chase - *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* (1981), as Alice - *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Sheila Evans, Doris Talbert - *Alice* (1976), series, Actor - *That's Entertainment, Part II* (1976), as (archive footage) - *The Sonny and Cher Show* (1976), series, Actor - *Charlotte's Web* (1973), as Charlotte (voice) - *What's the Matter with Helen?* (1971), as Adelle - *Bracken's World* (1969), series, Actor - *The Debbie Reynolds Show* (1969), series, as Debbie Thompson - *How Sweet It Is!* (1968), as Jenny - *Mondo Hollywood* (1967), Actor - *Divorce American Style* (1967), as Barbara Harmon - *The Singing Nun* (1966), as Sister Ann - *Goodbye Charlie* (1964), as Charlie Sorel / Virginia Mason - *The Unsinkable Molly Brown* (1964), as Molly Brown - *Mary, Mary* (1963), as Mary McKellaway - *My Six Loves* (1963), as Janice Courtney - *How the West Was Won* (1962), as Lilith Prescott — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-west-was-won.md) - *The Second Time Around* (1961), as Lu Rogers - *The Pleasure of His Company* (1961), as Jessica Poole - *Pepe* (1960), as Debbie Reynolds - *The Rat Race* (1960), as Peggy Brown - *The Gazebo* (1959), as Nell Nash - *It Started with a Kiss* (1959), as Maggie Putnam - *Say One for Me* (1959), as Holly LeMaise - *The Mating Game* (1959), as Mariette Larkin - *Kraft Music Hall* (1958), series, Actor - *This Happy Feeling* (1958), as Janet Blake - *Tammy and the Bachelor* (1957), as Tammy - *Bundle of Joy* (1956), as Polly Parish - *The Catered Affair* (1956), as Jane Hurley - *Meet Me in Las Vegas* (1956), as Debbie Reynolds (uncredited) - *The Tender Trap* (1955), as Julie Gillis - *Ford Star Jubilee* (1955), series, Actor - *MGM Parade* (1955), series, Actor - *Hit the Deck* (1955), as Carol Pace - *Athena* (1954), as Minerva - *Susan Slept Here* (1954), as Susan Beaurgard Landis - *Give a Girl a Break* (1953), as Suzy Doolittle - *The Affairs of Dobie Gillis* (1953), as Pansy Hammer - *I Love Melvin* (1953), as Judy LeRoy - *Skirts Ahoy!* (1952), as Debbie Reynolds (uncredited) - *Singin' in the Rain* (1952), as Kathy Selden — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/singin-in-the-rain.md) - *Challenge the Wilderness* (1951), as Narrator (uncredited) - *Mr. Imperium* (1951), as Gwen - *Two Weeks with Love* (1950), as Melba Robinson - *Three Little Words* (1950), as Helen Kane - *The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady* (1950), as Maureen O'Grady - *June Bride* (1948), as Boo's Girlfriend at Wedding ## Gallery - ![Debbie Reynolds](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-d7cd9e838c9c.jpg) Debbie Reynolds — Studio photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Debbie_Reynolds.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, 2015](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-a7934c78cf79.jpg) Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, 2015 — Greg Hernandez from California, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Carrie_Fisher_and_Debbie_Reynolds%2C_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Debbie Reynolds wearing Charlie Chaplin's hat on The View (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-7c0c8f7868a8.jpg) Debbie Reynolds wearing Charlie Chaplin's hat on The View (2011) — Jeffhardywhyx Photo by Greg Goldstein, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/DebbieReynoldsChaplainHatView.jpg/1280px-DebbieReynoldsChaplainHatView.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![October 28, 1998 Washington D.C. Women in Cable and Telecommunications Foundation Gala at Marriott in Washington D.C.](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-6661cb0ec217.jpg) October 28, 1998 Washington D.C. Women in Cable and Telecommunications Foundation Gala at Marriott in Washington D.C. — John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Debbie_Reynolds_%2847327456931%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Debbie Reynolds](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-201fc9e70077.jpg) Debbie Reynolds — Image via TMDB - ![Debbie Reynolds](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-3ae0e6587b65.jpg) Debbie Reynolds — Image via TMDB - ![Debbie Reynolds](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-65e83ce64f65.jpg) Debbie Reynolds — Image via TMDB - ![October 28, 1998 Women in Cable and Telecommunications Foundation Gala at Marriott in Washington D.C. © copyright John Mathew Smith 2001 (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-2647258a40cc.jpg) October 28, 1998 Women in Cable and Telecommunications Foundation Gala at Marriott in Washington D.C. © copyright John Mathew Smith 2001 (2010) — Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/Debbie_Reynolds_1998.jpg/1280px-Debbie_Reynolds_1998.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Debbie Reynolds (1987)](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-28d57f8f3d0e.jpg) Debbie Reynolds (1987) — Allan warren, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Debbie_Reynolds_24_Allan_Warren.jpg/1280px-Debbie_Reynolds_24_Allan_Warren.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Debbie Reynolds](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-a3b27d8ac7a3.jpg) Debbie Reynolds — Image via TMDB - ![Debbie Reynolds](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-f27d2e67fd27.jpg) Debbie Reynolds — Image via TMDB - ![Debbie Reynolds](https://film.one/media/person/59276/gallery-c7d922eb1ef5.jpg) Debbie Reynolds — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1965: Best Actress (nominated), for *The Unsinkable Molly Brown* ### Golden Globes — 0 won, 5 nominated - 1997: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *Mother* - 1970: Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *The Debbie Reynolds Show* - 1965: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *The Unsinkable Molly Brown* - 1957: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *Bundle of Joy* - 1951: New Star of the Year – Actress (nominated), for *Three Little Words* ### Primetime Emmy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 2000: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Will & Grace* ### SAG Awards — 1 won - 2014: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (won) ### Other awards — 4 won, 1 nominated - Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award 2015: Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (won) - Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture 1997: Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (won), for *Mother* - Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical 1973: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (nominated) - National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress 1956: National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress (won), for *The Catered Affair* - Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year 1955: Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/debbie-reynolds