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Debra Wilson

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For the New Zealand law professor, see Debra Wilson (academic).

Debra Wilson
Wilson at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
Born
New York City, U.S.
Other namesDebra Wilson Skelton
Debra Skelton
Alma materSyracuse University
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
Years active1992–present
Spouse
Cliff Skelton
​
​
(m. 2006; sep. 2010)​

Debra Wilson[a] is an American actress and comedian. She is 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 shows and video games, including Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart, Baby Shark's Big Show!, Spitting Image, Mirror's Edge Catalyst, Wolfenstein, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Halo Infinite, Diablo IV, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

She also starred in the films The Summerland Project and Bodied. In 2022, Wilson started voicing Daisy Duck on Mickey Mouse Funhouse, making her the first African-American performer of the character.

Early life

[edit]

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.[citation needed]

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

[edit]
Wilson in 2010

Mad TV

[edit]

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]

Wilson's most recognized impressions on the show were of Oprah Winfrey and Whitney Houston.[2][8][9][10] She has also 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

[edit]

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 MADtv co-star Nicole 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

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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

[edit]

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 and its sequel Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. 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, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 76, 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

[edit]

Wilson married writer and director Cliff Skelton in April 2006. They separated in 2010 citing irreconcilable differences.[18]

Filmography

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Film

[edit]
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 [19]
Scary Movie 4 Oprah Winfrey
Over the Hedge Debbie Voice [19]
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 [19]
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 [19]
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 [19]
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 [19]
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Creatures Voice [19]
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 Nun Demons Voice [19]
The Christmas Chronicles Lars Voice [19]
2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Nambi Ghima Voice [19]
2020 Ride Your Wave Hinako's Mom Voice; English dub [19]
2021 Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms D'Vorah Voice; direct-to-video [20][19]
The Loud House Movie Nana May, Nana Collette, Nana Helene, Mrs. Turnberry Voice [19]
2022 Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Graji Voice; direct-to-video [21][19]
Call Me Miss Cleo Herself Documentary
2023 Cobweb Monster Sarah Voice [22]
Baby Shark's Big Movie! Grandma Shark Voice [19]

Television

[edit]
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; television film [19]
2002–2003; 2024 Clone High Various voices 4 episodes
2002–2003 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"
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 Various voices 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: "The Spy Within the Doom Patrol"
2013–2014 DC Super-Pets! Various voices 3 episodes
2014 Regular Show Council Woman, Thunder Girl, Blonde Girl Voice; episode: "Dodge This" [19]
2014–2016 All Hail King Julien Masikura, Mary-Ann, Tammy, various Voice; 21 episodes [19]
2016 Dead 7 Apocalypta Television film
Z Nation Linda Episode: "Doc's Angels"
2016–2017 Pig Goat Banana Cricket Nasty Cat, Mrs. Manelli, Lady Fart, Baby Sweat, Convention Con Nerd Voice [19]
2017 Superior Donuts Lyric Episode: "Flour Power"
2018 Lost in Oz Brenda Voice; episode: "The Eclipse" [19]
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 [19]
Avengers Assemble Councilor Achebe, Dora Milaje #3 Voice; 2 episodes [19]
2019–2020 Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart Ramaraffe, Ketchup, Muffins, Marion, Camille, Scoops, Various voices Voice; recurring role [19]
2019–2021 Ben 10 Maxine Sez Voice, 2 episodes [19]
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 		[19]
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, Duchess Voice [19]
Frankelda's Book of Spooks Totolina, Grandma Voice; 2023 English dub
2022 The Owl House Terra Snapdragon Voice; 4 episodes [19]
The Loud House Various voices
We Baby Bears Brassy Maine Coon, Cat Voice; episode: "High Baby Fashion"
Mickey Saves Christmas Daisy Duck Voice, television special [19]
Love, Death & Robots Possessed Harper Voice, episode: "In Vault Halls Entombed" [19]
Oddballs Louise, Female Cop Voice, 2 episodes [19]
2022-2024 Star Trek: Prodigy Captain Trij, A.I Computer, various Voice, 5 episodes
2022–present Monster High Headless Headmistress Bloodgood Voice; main role
Mickey Mouse Funhouse Daisy Duck Voice; main role (Season 2–present)
2023 Star Trek: Lower Decks Z'oto Voice, episode: "Something Borrowed, Something Green"
Mech Cadets Chief Max Voice [19]
Mickey & Friends Trick or Treats Daisy Duck Voice [19]
2023–present My Adventures with Superman Amanda Waller Voice; 3 episodes
2024 Nature Narrator Episode: "Gorilla"
The Legend of Vox Machina Pa'tice Voice; 2 episodes [19]
TBA Among Us Yellow Voice [23]

Theatre

[edit]
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

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2006 Ice Age 2: The Meltdown Ellie
X-Men: The Official Game Storm [19]
2007 Halo 3 Marines [19]
2008 Speed Racer: The Videogame Booster Mbube [19]
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Crying Wolf [19]
Fracture Additional voices
2009 Halo 3: ODST Marine #4
2010 Dead to Rights: Retribution Security Guard [24]
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Additional voices
Fallout: New Vegas
2011 Infamous 2 Female Pedestrians / The Storyteller
2013 Grand Theft Auto V The Local Population
2014 Elder Scrolls Online Additional voices
WildStar Dreadphage Ohmna / Selene / Granok Female
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Additional voices
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor Monster Vocal Effects
2016 Mirror's Edge Catalyst Rebecca Thane [19]
Gears of War 4 Aspho Point Gear [19]
Far Cry Primal Batari
Final Fantasy XV Additional voices
2017 Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Grace Walker Motion capture [19]
2017–18 Batman: The Enemy Within Amanda Waller / SANCTUS Computer / Agency Female [19]
2018 God of War Additional voices
Just Cause 4 Izzy [19]
Guild Wars 2 Ambassador Sianna
2018–19 The Walking Dead: The Final Season Dorian
2019 Days Gone Addison 'Addy' Walker Motion capture [19]
Wolfenstein: Youngblood Grace Walker
Gears 5 COG Soldier / Onyx Guard
Indivisible Snake Queen [25][19]
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare General Lyons Motion capture [19]
The Outer Worlds Sophia Akande [19]
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Cere Junda [19]
Guild Wars 2 Varinia Stormsounder / Jormag
Rage 2 Jazz Spinner, Goon Assault [19]
Remnant: From the Ashes Liz-2 [19]
2020 Gears Tactics Mikayla Dorn
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Baroness Draka
Desperados III Isabelle Moreau [19]
Bugsnax Shellsy "Shelda" Woolbag
2021 Persona 5 Strikers Additional voices [26]
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Kit [19]
Destiny 2: Beyond Light Savathûn
Monster Hunter Rise Monju
Marvel's Avengers Okoye War for Wakanda DLC expansion
Ruined King: A League of Legends Story Buhru Elder / Additional Voices
Halo Infinite Harbinger [19]
2022 League of Legends Renata Glasc
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen Savathûn
Aperture Desk Job Prison Warden / Announcer
God of War Ragnarök Grýla [19]
2023 Forspoken Bellette Krau Motion capture [19]
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Cere Junda [19]
Star Trek: Resurgence Duvall / Hotari Queen
Diablo IV Prava / Tree Whispers / Creature Voice Effects [19]
Destiny 2: Lightfall Savathûn
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Additional voices
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III SSO Selma Greene
2024 Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Amanda Waller Motion capture [27]
Disney Speedstorm Ursula
Destiny 2: The Final Shape Savathûn
World of Warcraft: The War Within Speaker Brinthe
2025 Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Queen Michele

Web series

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012–2013 Lips Ex-girlfriend 2 episodes
2017 My Sister Is So Gay[9] Becca 6 episodes

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2024 British Academy Games Awards Performer in a Supporting Role Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Nominated [28]

Notes

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  1. ^ Also known as Debra Wilson Skelton or Debra Skelton

References

[edit]
  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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd "Debra Wilson (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 26, 2023. A 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 credits or other reliable sources of information.
  20. ^ Couch, Aaron (June 16, 2021). "Animated 'Mortal Kombat Legends' Sequel Arriving This Summer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ Rooney, David (July 19, 2023). "Cobweb Review: Lizzy Caplan in a Haunted House Thriller That Starts Strong but Falls Apart". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  23. ^ Otterson, Joe (April 4, 2024). "'Among Us' Animated Series Casts Patton Oswalt, Debra Wilson, Phil LaMarr, Wayne Knight". Variety. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  24. ^ Volatile Games. Dead to Rights: Retribution. Namco Bandai Games. Scene: Ending credits, 2:56 in, Voice Over Cast.
  25. ^ Clayton, Peter (August 6, 2019). "Indivisible Cast List Revealed". Indivisible. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  26. ^ "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 credits or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  27. ^ Macgregor, Jody (October 17, 2021). "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League trailer has a bunch of callbacks to the Arkham games". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  28. ^ "20th BAFTA Games Awards: The Nominations". BAFTA. March 7, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
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