Deborah Pratt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deborah Pratt
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Pratt at the 2023 WonderCon
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| Born | December 16, 1951 |
| Other names | Deborah Pratt-Bellisario, Deborah M. Pratt |
| Alma mater | Webster University |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2, including Troian Bellisario |
Deborah M. Pratt is a talented American director, writer, television producer, and actress. She has worked on many popular TV shows and movies, both in front of and behind the camera.
Contents
About Deborah Pratt
Her Early Life and Education
Deborah Pratt was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. Her mother, Geraldine Marian, was a teacher. Her father, Colonel Bertram Roberson Pratt, was a bank vice president and a military leader. He commanded a special tank unit during World War II. Deborah has four sisters.
Deborah went to Webster University and earned a degree in Psychology. She also studied acting at The Conservatory of Theatre Arts, which helped her prepare for her career.
Starting Her Career in Entertainment
Deborah Pratt began her career performing on stage in Chicago. She was discovered during a nationwide search and moved to Los Angeles. There, she sang and danced on The Dean Martin Show with a group called The Golddiggers. She also performed with famous dancers like Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor, and toured with Debbie Reynolds.
Deborah acted in many TV series, including Magnum, P.I., Happy Days, The New Odd Couple, Benson, and Airwolf. She also appeared in movies like Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone, Last Rites, and Exit to Eden.
Becoming a Writer and Producer
Deborah didn't just act; she also started writing. She wrote several episodes for Magnum P.I. and Airwolf.
One of her most famous roles was as the showrunner, co-creator, executive producer, and head writer for the TV series Quantum Leap. This show was created by her former husband, Donald P. Bellisario. Deborah also provided the voice for a character named Ziggy and was the narrator for the show.
After Quantum Leap, Deborah continued to work behind the scenes. In 1992, she was an executive producer for Tequila and Bonetti. From 1998 to 1999, she developed, wrote, and produced The Net for TV.
Directing and New Projects
In 2000, Deborah made her debut as a director with the TV movie Cora Unashamed for Masterpiece Theatre. She has also directed episodes for other shows, including Grey's Anatomy. In 2023, she directed an episode of the new Quantum Leap reboot.
Deborah returned as an executive producer for the Quantum Leap reboot, which started in 2022. She also reprised her role as the voice of Ziggy for the new series.
Besides her work in TV and film, Deborah Pratt is also a published author. She wrote The Vision Quest, a science fiction/fantasy series with three books, and Age of Eve. She is currently working on a play for the London stage called Joseph Bologne, and a graphic novel, interactive game, and interactive TV series, all titled Warrior One.
Awards and Recognition
Deborah Pratt has received many awards for her work. She has been nominated for five Emmy Awards, which are very important awards in television. She also won a Golden Block Award and several festival awards for her short films.
Deborah is a strong supporter of women and minority rights in the entertainment industry. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Writers Guild of America and is part of several committees at the Directors Guild of America. She is also a member of the Producers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, which are important groups for people working in film and TV.
Deborah Pratt's Work
Film Appearances
Deborah Pratt has acted in several films:
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Elephant Parts | Player |
| 1983 | Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone | Meagan |
| 1988 | Last Rites | Robin Dwyer |
| 1994 | Exit to Eden | Dr. Allison |
| 2006 | Unspoken | Madison |
| 2008 | Chinaman's Chance: America's Other Slaves | Rachel |
| 2010 | Peep World | Cassandra Williamson |
| 2022 | Doula | Deb's Mother |
Television Roles and Production Work
Deborah Pratt has been involved in many television projects:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | The Dean Martin Show | Golddigger | Episode: "Celebrity Roast: Monty Hall" |
| 1975 | Police Woman | Kate | Episode: "Pattern for Evil" |
| 1978 | CHiPs | Carol | Episode: "Crash Diet" |
| Love Is Not Enough | Susan | Television Film | |
| 1979 | Happy Days | Kat Mandu | Episode: "Fonzie Meets Kat" |
| 1980 | Phyl & Mikhy | Connie | Episode: "Phyl's Wedding" |
| Katmandu | Kat Mandu | Television Film | |
| 1981 | Grambling's White Tiger | Jennifer | Television Film |
| 1982 | Strike Force | Loretta | Episode: "Humiliation" |
| She's with Me | Bonnie Madison | Television Film | |
| The New Odd Couple | Sandra | Episode: "The Odd Triangle" | |
| 1983 | Prime Times | Various | Television Film |
| Benson | Jill Fletcher | Episode: "Who's Arnold?" | |
| Gimme a Break! | Vanessa | Episode: "The Way to a Man's Heart" | |
| 1984 | Days of Our Lives | Lacey Parker | 6 Episodes |
| 1984 | Magnum, P.I. (1980) | Gloria | 4 Episodes |
| 1984 | Airwolf | Writer | 1 Episode |
| 1984–1985 | Airwolf | Marella | 14 Episodes |
| 1984-1985 | Magnum, P.I. (1980) | Writer | 2 Episodes |
| 1987 | Three on a Match | Sissy | Television Film |
| Hunter | Sandra Browning | Episode: "Flashpoint" | |
| 1989 | Magnum, P.I. (1980) | Writer | 2 Episodes |
| 1989–1993 | Quantum Leap (1989) | Writer | 20 Episodes |
| Quantum Leap (1989) | Co-Executive Producer/ Supervising Producer | 97 Episodes | |
| Quantum Leap (1989) | Narrator / Ziggy / Troian Claridge | 65 Episodes | |
| 1992 | Tequila and Bonetti | Nicole | Episode: "A Perfect Match" |
| Co-Executive Producer/Producer | 2 Episodes | ||
| 1997 | Girlfriends | Director/Writer/Producer | Short |
| 1998–1999 | The Net
(TV Series) |
Developed/Writer/Creator/Executive Producer/Director | 8 Episodes |
| 1999 | Our Friend, Martin | Producer/Screenplay | Animated TV Film |
| 2000 | Cora Unshamed | BBC Masterpiece Theatre The America Collection | Director | Television Film |
| 2016 | Game of Chance(TV Series) | Executive Producer | 4 Episodes |
| Game of Chance(Video) | Writer/Executive Producer/Director | Video Short | |
| 2020 | Grey's Anatomy | Director | Episode: "Put On a Happy Face" (Ep. 1621) |
| 2022–2024 | Quantum Leap (2022) | Executive Producer | 18 Episodes |
| Ziggy | 2 Episodes | ||
| 2023 | Director | Episode: "Family Style" (Ep. 113) |
Music and Discography
Deborah Pratt has also contributed to music for films and TV:
| Year | Title | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | "All My Life" | Last Rites (Movie) |
| 1991 | "The Alphabet Rap" | Quantum Leap (TV Series) |
Awards and Nominations
Deborah Pratt has been recognized with several awards for her work:
| Year | Nom. /Win | Award | Project | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Women In Film (Win) | Lillian Gish | Quantum Leap | Episode:"The Color of Truth" |
| 1991 | Writing (Win) | The Golden Block Award | Quantum Leap | Episode:"Private Dancer" |
| The Angel Award | ||||
| 1990-1993 | Best Dramatic
TV Series (5 Nominees) |
Emmy | Quantum Leap | |
| Producing
(5 Nominees) |
B.E.N. Awards
(Black Emmy Nominee) |
Quantum Leap | ||
| 1999 | Writing
(5 Nominees) |
Emmy | Animated TV Film | Our Friend, Martin |
| Writing
(5 Nominees) |
B.E.N. Awards
(Black Emmy Nominee) |
Animated TV Film | Our Friend, Martin |
See also
In Spanish: Deborah Pratt para niños
