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Revision as of 01:48, 15 June 2023

Debra Wilson
Wilson in 2010
Born (1962-04-26) April 26, 1962 (age 62)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Other namesDebra Wilson Skelton
Debra Skelton
EducationHigh School of Performing Arts
Alma materSyracuse University
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
  • puppeteer
  • television presenter
  • voice actress
Years active1992–present
Spouse
Cliff Skelton
​
​
(m. 2006; sep. 2010)​

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.

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) and Batari in Far Cry Primal (2016) Diablo (2023) mother parva

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

  1. ^ West, Diane (October 1, 2006). "Debra Wilson On Success, Snakes and Spirituality". New York Tails.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Debra Wilson Biography". Turner Classic Movies.
  3. ^ a b Fischer, Paul (April 19, 2003). "Debra Gets Twisted". Film Monthly.
  4. ^ "New York Undercover Season 2, Episode 1 Cast". TV Guide.
  5. ^ Greiving, Tim (May 18, 2016). "An Oral History of MADtv, the Sketch Show That Never Quite Changed Comedy". Vulture.
  6. ^ a b Pantoja, Kevin (May 27, 2019). "10 Funniest Cast Members of MadTV (And Where They Are Now)". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  7. ^ Carter, Alan (July 2002). "Laugh In". Vibe. Vol. 10, no. 7.
  8. ^ a b Persaud, Christine (May 28, 2019). "Where Are They Now? The Cast of MadTV". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Voger, Mark (April 12, 2013). "'Veep,' 'Madtv' on home video". NJ.com.
  11. ^ Punter, Jennie (April 14, 2006). "Scary Movie 4 **½". The Globe and Mail.
  12. ^ Rorke, Robert (July 14, 2010). "Oprah comic shuns TV role". The New York Post. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  13. ^ Bastién, Angelica Jade (January 4, 2018). "The Best Episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Ranked". Vulture. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Blizzard Entertainment (September 3, 2020). "Watch Shadowlands Afterlives: Maldraxxus". World of Warcraft. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  17. ^ "This Week At Bungie – 8/26/2021 > News". Bungie. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  18. ^ ""MADTV" STAR Headed for Divorce Court". TMZ. October 5, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  19. ^ Couch, Aaron (June 16, 2021). "Animated 'Mortal Kombat Legends' Sequel Arriving This Summer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ Volatile Games. Dead to Rights: Retribution. Namco Bandai Games. Scene: Ending credits, 2:56 in, Voice Over Cast.
  22. ^ Clayton, Peter (August 6, 2019). "Indivisible Cast List Revealed". Indivisible. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  23. ^ "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)
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