Debra Messing was born in Brooklyn, and raised in a quiet community just outside Providence, Rhode Island. Messing majored in theater arts at Brandeis University where she received her liberal arts education. Half of her junior years were spent in London's prestigious B.E.S.G.L. program. Upon graduating from Brandeis, Debra was accepted into New York University's Elite Graduate Acting Program and received her Masters of fine arts degree three years later. (askmen.com)