Debra Wilson
Debra Wilson (born April 26, 1962), also known as Debra Wilson Skelton or Debra Skelton, is an American actress and comedian. She is known for being the longest-serving original cast member on the sketch comedy series Mad TV, having appeared on the show's first eight seasons from 1995 to 2003. As a voice actress, she has voiced various characters on television, including Ramaraffe on Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart (2019-2020), Grandma Shark on Baby Shark's Big Show! (2020–present), and Kira on Dogs in Space (2021–present). She has voiced multiple characters on series such as Black Dynamite (2012–2015), All Hail King Julien (2014–2016), and Spitting Image (2020–2022). She also starred in the films The Summerland Project (2016) and Bodied (2017). In 2022, Wilson became the sixth official voice of Daisy Duck, making her the first African-American performer of the character.
Debra Wilson | |
|---|---|
Wilson in 2010 | |
| Born | April 26, 1962 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Debra Wilson Skelton Debra Skelton |
| Education | High School of Performing Arts |
| Alma mater | Syracuse University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse | Cliff Skelton (m. 2006; sep. 2010) |
Wilson has had lead voice roles in video games such as Rebecca Thane in Mirror's Edge Catalyst (2016), Amanda Waller in Batman: The Enemy Within (2017–2018) and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2023), Grace Walker in the Wolfenstein series (2017–2019), General Lyons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Sophia Akande in The Outer Worlds (2019), Cere Junda in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019) and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023), Kit in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021), Savathûn in Destiny 2 (2021–2022), Harbinger in Halo Infinite (2021), Renata Glasc in League of Legends (2022–present), Batari in Far Cry Primal (2016), and, most recently, Reverend Mother Prava in Diablo IV (2023).
Early life
Wilson was born and raised in New York City, in the neighborhood of Ozone Park, Queens, and attended the New York City High School of the Performing Arts.[1] After graduation, she studied television and radio broadcasting at Syracuse University.[2] She worked as a preschool teacher during the 1980s for the All Saints Church, in Sunnyside, Queens.
Wilson made her television acting debut on The Apollo Comedy Hour and The Uptown Comedy Club, where she became a series regular.[2] She co-hosted Can We Shop? with Joan Rivers.[3] She continued her work in television working as a spokesperson for Burger King,[3] and guest starring in New York Undercover.[4]
Career
Mad TV
Wilson was one of the original eight cast members of Mad TV when the series aired in 1995.[5] Wilson came to the show with a background in sketch comedy, improv and television.
Wilson was credited for creating some of the most popular recurring characters on the show. Among her characters were Latina bimbo Melina (Lida and Melina),[6] Reality Check's Tovah McQueen,[7] Stick Chick Autumn, Kappa Kappa Kappa sorority sister Hayden Brooks,[8] Alexis Dubane (Prehistoric Glamazon Huntresses), blaxploitation actress Cocoa Latette (Son of Dolemite),[6] Lowered Expectations Host and Ms. Not Nice (Jenny Jones). Perhaps her best known character was the fast talking "Black American Princess" Bunifa Latifah Halifah Sharifa Jackson.[2]
Her most recognized impressions on the show were of Oprah Winfrey and Whitney Houston.[2][8][9][10] Her Oprah impersonation is so well regarded that in fact she has played Oprah or Oprah-like characters in other media, most notably Scary Movie 4 and The Proud Family.[11][12] She also regularly portrayed Beyoncé Knowles, Mariah Carey, Lil' Kim, and Chris Tucker.
Television projects
Since her debut on MADtv, Wilson has done voice acting on episodes on numerous television shows, landing some recurring roles on such shows as Clone High, Family Guy, and did puppeteer work on The Mr. Potato Head Show.[2] She voiced Captain Lisa Cusak in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "The Sound of Her Voice".[13]
Wilson has made numerous independent films, including Naked Angel, Jane White Is Sick and Twisted, Skin Deep, and Soulmates. She was also in an episode of Without a Trace as a doctor, and appeared three times as a working girl, Divine, in episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
She and Sullivan have done commercials for Pepsi's Sierra Mist. She appeared as herself on the February 15, 1999, episode of WCW Monday Nitro accompanying MADtv castmate Will Sasso in his professional wrestling match against Bret Hart. She also appeared on the UK Whose Line Is It Anyway? – Season 10, Episode 9.
She was the co-host of TV Guide Channel's TV Watercooler with John Fugelsang, until she was replaced by Teresa Strasser in October 2006. She was also a co-host on GSN Live until she left in January 2010.
Wilson is the announcer of the revival of the NBC game show Weakest Link hosted by Jane Lynch.
In July 2022, Nickelodeon announced that Wilson would voice the character Headless Headmistress Bloodgood in the 2022 animated reboot series Monster High.[14]
As of 2022, Wilson voices Daisy Duck, replacing Tress MacNeille.
Theater projects
Wilson performed off-Broadway with the improvisational comedy troupe Noo Yawk Tawk directed by Richmond Shepard at The Village Gate Theater (1988–1991).
Video games
Wilson has voiced many video game characters, such as her role as Grace Walker in Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and her role as Cere Junda in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. She also appeared in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare as General Lyons. Her other video game voice work includes The Outer Worlds, Gears 5, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, Rage 2, Days Gone and Far Cry New Dawn.[15] She is the voice of Draka in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands.[16] She is the voice of Savathûn in Destiny 2[17] and the Harbinger in Halo Infinite.
Personal life
Wilson married writer and director Cliff Skelton in April 2006. They separated in 2010 citing irreconcilable differences.[18]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Cracking Up | |||
| 1995 | Blue in the Face | Statistician | ||
| 1996 | Girl 6 | Salesgirl #3 | ||
| 1997 | Gridlock'd | Medicaid Woman #2 | ||
| B*A*P*S | Flight Attendant | |||
| Soulmates | Jennifer Williams | |||
| Asylum | Belinda Davis | |||
| Sleeping Together | Wendy | |||
| 1998 | Star Trek: The Experience: The Klingon Encounter | Security Officer | Short | |
| 2000 | Rubbernecking | Julia | ||
| 2002 | Jane White Is Sick & Twisted | Chi-Chi | ||
| 2003 | Skin Deep | Alex | ||
| 2004 | Target | Nolan | ||
| Nine Lives | Lisa | |||
| 2005 | Bringing Up BayBay | Pam Wilcox, BayBay Girl | Short film; also writer | |
| 2006 | Whitepaddy | Aunt Tiny | ||
| Danny Roane: First Time Director | Rehab nurse | |||
| The Adventures of Brer Rabbit | Sister Buzzard | Voice; Direct-to-video | ||
| Scary Movie 4 | Oprah Winfrey | |||
| Over the Hedge | Debbie | Voice | ||
| Mandingo in a Box | Host | Short film | ||
| Shut Up and Shoot! | Nikki Ryder | |||
| Rockin' Meera | Rudy | |||
| 2007 | If I Had Known I Was a Genius | Teresa Reed | ||
| Lord Help Us | Shariffer Simms | Direct-to-video | ||
| Cordially Invited | Vivian Dunn | |||
| The Chosen One | Akia May | Voice | ||
| 2008 | Cuttin' da Mustard | Actress | ||
| 2009 | Knight to F4 | Cheryl Johnson | ||
| Psyche on Melrose | Hostess | Short film | ||
| The Haunted World of El Superbeasto | Various voices | Direct-to-video | ||
| Avatar | Na'vi troupe member | |||
| Friends of Dorothy | Hillary | Short film | ||
| 2010 | Perfect Combination | Mrs. Lewis | ||
| Oprah's Last Show | Oprah Winfrey | Short film | ||
| 2011 | Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil | Iana | Voice | |
| Naked Angel | Mama Tony | |||
| Division III: Football's Finest | Mandy | |||
| 2012 | Back Then | Georgia Miller | ||
| Bed-Stuy Lullaby | Sha'rell | Short film | ||
| 2013 | Cordially Invited – The Wedding Day of Alton & Kenya | Vivian Dunn | ||
| 2014 | Jungle Shuffle | Kam | Voice role | |
| Knock 'em Dead | Darien | |||
| Untold | Merrel | |||
| Fatal Acquittal | Detective Bell | |||
| 10 Year Plan | Minister | |||
| 2015 | Midlife | Diane Freeland | ||
| Mothers of the Bride | Freesia the producer | |||
| Hotel Transylvania 2 | Additional voices | |||
| 2016 | Caged No More | Leona | ||
| The Summerland Project | Adah Allen | |||
| 2017 | Open Marriage | Vulnavia | ||
| 2018 | Painkillers | Gail Konrad | ||
| Bodied | Dean Hampton | |||
| The Christmas Chronicles | Lars | Voice role | ||
| 2019 | Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Nambi Ghima | Voice role; also additional voices | |
| 2021 | Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms | D'Vorah | Voice; Direct-to-video | [19] |
| The Loud House Movie | Nana May, Nana Collette, Nana Helene, and Mrs. Turnberry | Voice role | ||
| 2022 | Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind | Graji | Voice; Direct-to-video | [20] |
| Call Me Miss Cleo | Herself | Documentary |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | The Uptown Comedy Club | Various | Main cast | |
| 1995 | New York Undercover | Shanna | Episode: "High on the Hog" | |
| 1995–2016 | Mad TV | Various | Main Cast: Season 1–8, Guest: Season 10, 13–15 | |
| 1998 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Lisa Cusak | Voice; Episode: "The Sound of Her Voice" | |
| Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Herself | Episode: "Episode #10.9" | ||
| 1998–1999 | The Mr. Potato Head Show | Queenie | Voice; also puppeteer Main role; 13 episodes | |
| 2000–2011 | Family Guy | Various voices | 6 episodes | |
| 2001 | Gary & Mike | Various voices | 13 episodes | |
| The Oblongs | — | 2 episodes | ||
| 2002 | Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe In Santa | Great Grandma Fran | Voice role; television film | |
| 2002–2003 | Clone High | Various voices | 3 episodes | |
| The Proud Family | Oprah Winfrey | Voice; 2 episodes | ||
| 2003 | Basil / Tobasco | Voice; Episode: "Adventures in Bebe Sitting" | ||
| The Parkers | Zorah | Episode: "Kimmie Has Two Moms" | ||
| 2004–2007 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Divine | 3 episodes | |
| 2004 | Without a Trace | Doctor | Episode: "Hawks and Handsaws" | |
| I'm with Her | Brenda | Episode: "Friends in Low Places" | ||
| That's So Raven | Maisha | Episode: "Spa Day Afternoon" | ||
| 2005 | Second Time Around | Deonne | Episode: "You're Fired" | |
| 2005–2016 | American Dad! | Whitney Houston, Mom at basketball game | Voice; 2 episodes | |
| 2006 | In Justice | Detective Powell | Episode: "Confessions" | |
| Celebrity Paranormal Project | Herself | Episode: "Cult Commune" | ||
| 2007 | Higglytown Heroes | Marine biologist hero | Voice; Episode: "Little Big Fish/Good Sports" | |
| Super Sweet 16: The Movie | Edan Day | Television film (MTV) | ||
| 2008 | Reno 911! | Dominatrix | 3 episodes | |
| The Boondocks | Deborah LeVil | Voice; 2 episodes | ||
| Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | Lilian | Episode: "Automatic for the People" | ||
| 2009 | 90210 | Teacher | Episode: "Hello, Goodbye, Amen" | |
| 2009–2010 | GSN Live | Herself | Co-host | |
| 2012–2015 | Black Dynamite | Amazon Moon Bitch leader, Lil' Orphan Penny, Eartha K.I.T.T., Various | Voice; 17 episodes | |
| 2013 | 2 Broke Girls | Delores | Episode: "And the Temporary Distraction" | |
| The First Family | Helen | Episode: "The First Driver" | ||
| The Cleveland Show | — | Episode: "Of Lice and Men" | ||
| Save Me | Stephanie | Episode: "Heavenly Hostess" | ||
| Mad | Various voices | Episode: "Alfred's Game/We Are X-Men" | ||
| Doom Patrol | Madame Rouge | Voice Episode: "Chapter Ten: The Spy Within the Doom Patrol" | ||
| 2013–2014 | DC Super-Pets! | Various voices | 3 episodes | |
| 2014 | Regular Show | Council Woman / Thunder Girl 1 / Blonde Girl (voices) | Episode: "Dodge This" | |
| 2014–2016 | All Hail King Julien | Masikura, Mary-Ann, Tammy | Voice; 21 episodes | |
| 2016 | Dead 7 | Apocalypta | Television film | |
| Z Nation | Linda | Episode: "Doc's Angels" | ||
| 2017 | Superior Donuts | Lyric | Episode: "Flour Power" | |
| 2018 | The Last Sharknado: It's About Time | New Bryan | Television film | |
| 2019 | The Jellies | Various voices | 2 episodes | |
| Cannon Busters | Lady Day | Voice; English dub | ||
| 2019–2020 | Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart | Ramaraffe, Ketchup, Muffins, Marion, Camille, Scoops, Various voices | Recurring role | |
| 2020 | Just Roll with It | Nana Blatt | Episode: "Grandma & Grandpa Sittin' in a Tree" | |
| Spitting Image | Beyoncé, Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Nicki Minaj | 15 episodes | ||
| Baby Shark's Big Show! | Grandma Shark | Voice; English dub Main role | ||
| 2021 | Final Space | Quinn's Mother | Voice Episode: "All the Moments Lost" | |
| The Casagrandes | Papaya | Voice Episode: "Do the Fruit Shake" | ||
| Dogs in Space | Kira | |||
| 2022 | The Owl House | Terra Snapdragon | Voice; 2 episodes | |
| The Loud House | Fleur Dupont | Voice Episode: "Don't Escar-Go" | ||
| We Baby Bears | Brassy Maine Coon, Cat | Voice Episode: "High Baby Fashion" | ||
| Mickey Saves Christmas | Daisy Duck | Television special | ||
| Star Trek: Prodigy | Captain Trij | Voice Episode: "Supernova, Part 1" | ||
| 2022–present | Monster High | Headless Headmistress Bloodgood | Voice; Main role | |
| Mickey Mouse Funhouse | Daisy Duck | Voice; Main role (Season 2) |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Venue(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–1991 | Noo Yawk Tawk | Improv Actor / Ensemble | The Village Gate Theater Off-Broadway, New York City |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Ice Age 2: The Meltdown | Ellie | Voice | |
| X-Men: The Official Game | Storm | Voice | ||
| 2007 | Halo 3 | Marines | Voice | |
| 2008 | Speed Racer: The Videogame | Booster Mbube | Voice | |
| Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots | Crying Wolf | Voice | ||
| Fracture | — | Voice | ||
| 2009 | Halo 3: ODST | Marine #4 | Voice | |
| 2010 | Dead to Rights: Retribution | Security Guard | Voice | [21] |
| StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty | Additional voices | Voice | ||
| Fallout: New Vegas | Various voices | Voice | ||
| 2011 | Infamous 2 | Female Pedestrians / The Storyteller | Voice | |
| 2013 | Grand Theft Auto V | The Local Population | Voice | |
| 2014 | Elder Scrolls Online | Additional voices | Voice | |
| WildStar | Dreadphage Ohmna / Selene / Granok Female | Voice | ||
| Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare | Additional voices | Voice | ||
| World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor | Monster Vocal Effects | Voice | ||
| 2016 | Mirror's Edge Catalyst | Rebecca Thane | Voice | |
| Gears of War 4 | Aspho Point Gear | Voice | ||
| Far Cry Primal | Batari | Voice | ||
| Final Fantasy XV | Additional voices | Voice | ||
| 2017 | Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus | Grace Walker | Voice and motion capture | |
| 2017–18 | Batman: The Enemy Within | Amanda Waller | Voice | |
| 2018 | God of War | Additional voices | Voice | |
| Just Cause 4 | Izzy, People of Solis | Voice | ||
| Guild Wars 2 | Ambassador Sianna | Voice | ||
| 2018–19 | The Walking Dead: The Final Season | Dorian | Voice | |
| 2019 | Days Gone | Addison 'Addy' Walker | Voice and motion capture | |
| Wolfenstein: Youngblood | Grace Walker | Voice and motion capture | ||
| Gears 5 | Private Casan (COG Gear) | Voice | ||
| Indivisible | Snake Queen | Voice | [22] | |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare | General Lyons | Voice and motion capture | ||
| The Outer Worlds | Sophia Akande | Voice | ||
| Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order | Cere Junda | Voice and motion capture | ||
| Guild Wars 2 | Varinia Stormsounder, Jormag | Voice | ||
| 2020 | Gears Tactics | Mikayla Dorn | Voice | |
| World of Warcraft: Shadowlands | Baroness Draka | Voice | ||
| Desperados III | Isabelle Moreau | Voice | ||
| Bugsnax | Shellsy "Shelda" Woolbag | Voice | ||
| 2021 | Persona 5 Strikers | Additional voices | Voice | [23] |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Kit | Voice | ||
| Destiny 2: Beyond Light | Savathûn | Voice | ||
| Monster Hunter Rise | Monju | Voice | ||
| Marvel's Avengers | Okoye | Voice; War for Wakanda DLC expansion | ||
| Ruined King: A League of Legends Story | Bhuru Elder, Additional voices | Voice | ||
| Halo Infinite | Harbinger | Voice | ||
| 2022 | League of Legends | Renata Glasc | Voice | |
| Destiny 2: The Witch Queen | Savathûn | Voice | ||
| Aperture Desk Job | Prison Warden, Announcer | Voice | ||
| God of War Ragnarök | Grýla | Voice | ||
| 2023 | Forspoken | Bellette Krau | Voice and motion capture | |
| Star Wars Jedi: Survivor | Cere Junda | Voice and motion capture | ||
| Diablo IV | Prava, Tree Whispers, Creature voice effects | Voice | ||
| 2024 | Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League | Amanda Waller | Voice and motion capture |
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2013 | Lips | Ex-girlfriend | 2 episodes | |
| 2017 | My Sister Is So Gay[9] | Becca | 6 episodes |
References
- ^ West, Diane (October 1, 2006). "Debra Wilson On Success, Snakes and Spirituality". New York Tails.
- ^ a b c d e "Debra Wilson Biography". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ a b Fischer, Paul (April 19, 2003). "Debra Gets Twisted". Film Monthly.
- ^ "New York Undercover Season 2, Episode 1 Cast". TV Guide.
- ^ Greiving, Tim (May 18, 2016). "An Oral History of MADtv, the Sketch Show That Never Quite Changed Comedy". Vulture.
- ^ a b Pantoja, Kevin (May 27, 2019). "10 Funniest Cast Members of MadTV (And Where They Are Now)". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ Carter, Alan (July 2002). "Laugh In". Vibe. Vol. 10, no. 7.
- ^ a b Persaud, Christine (May 28, 2019). "Where Are They Now? The Cast of MadTV". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Mar, Pollo Del (January 27, 2017). "Debra Wilson Talks Queer Legacy of MADtv Whitney Houston Parodies, New Series 'My Sister Is So Gay'". HuffPost.
- ^ Voger, Mark (April 12, 2013). "'Veep,' 'Madtv' on home video". NJ.com.
- ^ Punter, Jennie (April 14, 2006). "Scary Movie 4 **½". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ Rorke, Robert (July 14, 2010). "Oprah comic shuns TV role". The New York Post. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ Bastién, Angelica Jade (January 4, 2018). "The Best Episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Ranked". Vulture. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (July 13, 2022). "'Monster High': Tony Revolori, Gabrielle Nevaeh Green & Kausar Mohammed Among 9 Cast In Nickelodeon Series". Deadline. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ Shanley, Patrick (November 13, 2019). "'Star Wars' Actor Debra Wilson Is a Prolific Force Among Video Game Performers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ Blizzard Entertainment (September 3, 2020). "Watch Shadowlands Afterlives: Maldraxxus". World of Warcraft. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "This Week At Bungie – 8/26/2021 > News". Bungie. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ ""MADTV" STAR Headed for Divorce Court". TMZ. October 5, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ^ Couch, Aaron (June 16, 2021). "Animated 'Mortal Kombat Legends' Sequel Arriving This Summer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ Fallon, Sean (November 3, 2022). "Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Movie Release Date and 4K Blu-Ray Pre-Order Details". Comic Book. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ Volatile Games. Dead to Rights: Retribution. Namco Bandai Games. Scene: Ending credits, 2:56 in, Voice Over Cast.
- ^ Clayton, Peter (August 6, 2019). "Indivisible Cast List Revealed". Indivisible. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ "Persona 5 Strikers (2021 Video Game)". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved May 7, 2021A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
External links
- Debra Wilson at IMDb
- Debra Wilson at the Internet Off-Broadway Database