Debra Wilson

Debra Wilson (born April 26, 1962), also known as Debra Wilson Skelton or Debra Skelton, is an American actress, voice actress, comedian and television presenter. Wilson is known for being the longest-serving original cast member on the sketch comedy series Mad TV, having appeared for the show's first eight seasons. She has also done voice work for various productions including Avatar, American Dad!, Family Guy, Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, The Proud Family, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and The Boondocks. Her voice acting has also been used for video games including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

Debra Wilson
Wilson in March 2010
BornApril 26, 1962 (age 58)
South Ozone Park, Queens, New York, U.S.
Other namesDebra Wilson Skelton, Debra Skelton
Occupation
  • Actress
  • voice actress
  • comedian
  • television presenter
Years active1992–present
Spouse(s)
Cliff Skelton
​
​
(m. 2006; sep. 2010)​

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] Wilson worked as pre-school teacher during the 1980s for the All Saints Church, in Sunnyside, Queens. She made her television acting debut on The Apollo Comedy Hour and The Uptown Comedy Club, where she became a series regular.[2] She also 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]

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 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 has appeared three times (to date) 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 currently the announcer of the revival of the NBC game show Weakest Link hosted by Jane Lynch.

Theater projects

Wilson performed Off-Broadway with the improvisational comedy troupe Noo Yawk Tawk directed by Richmond Shepard at The Village Gate (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 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, The Outer Worlds, Gears 5, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, Rage 2, Days Gone and Far Cry New Dawn.[14]

Personal life

Wilson married writer and director Cliff Skelton in April 2006. They separated in 2010 citing irreconcilable differences.[15]

Filmography
Film roles
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Cracking Up N/A
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 film; voice role
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 Direct-to-video; voice role
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 role
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 role
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
Television roles
Year Title Role Notes
1992–93 The Uptown Comedy Club Various Main cast
1995 New York Undercover Shanna Episode: "High on the Hog"
1995–03, 2005–09, 2016 Mad TV Various Main cast (seasons 1–8); guest star (seasons 10, 13–15); 196 episodes
1998 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Lisa Cusak Episode: "The Sound of Her Voice"; voice role
Whose Line Is It Anyway? Herself Season 10, episode 9
1998–99 The Mr. Potato Head Show Queenie Main role; voice; 13 episodes
2000–01, 2008–11 Family Guy Various voices 6 episodes
2001 Gary & Mike Various voices 13 episodes
The Oblongs N/A 2 episodes
2002 Rapsittie Street Kids: Believe In Santa Great Grandma Fran Voice role; television film
2002–03 Clone High Various voices 3 episodes
The Proud Family Oprah Winfrey Voice role; 2 episodes
2003 Basil / Tobasco Voice role; episode: "Adventures in Bebe Sitting"
The Parkers Zorah Episode: "Kimmie Has Two Moms"
2004–07 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"
2005–16 American Dad! Whitney Houston, Mom at basketball game Voice role; 2 episodes
2006 In Justice Detective Powell Episode: "Confessions"
Celebrity Paranormal Project Herself Episode: "Cult Commune"
2007 Higglytown Heroes Marine biologist hero Voice role; 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 role; 2 episodes
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Lilian Episode: "Automatic for the People"
2009 90210 Teacher Episode: "Hello, Goodbye, Amen"
2009–10 GSN Live Herself Co-host
2012–15 Black Dynamite Amazon Moon Bitch leader, Lil' Orphan Penny, Eartha K.I.T.T., various (voices) 17 episodes
2013 2 Broke Girls Delores Episode: "And the Temporary Distraction"
The First Family Helen Episode: "The First Driver"
The Cleveland Show N/A 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 role; episode: "Chapter Ten: The Spy Within the Doom Patrol"
2013–14 DC Super-Pets! Various voices 3 episodes
2014 Regular Show Council Woman / Thunder Girl 1 / Blonde Girl Voice role; episode: "Dodge This"
2014–16 All Hail King Julien Masikura, Mary-Ann, Tammy Voice role; 21 episodes
2016 Dead 7 Apocolypta Television film (Syfy)
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 movie
2019 The Jellies Voice actor, 2 episodes
2019–present Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart Ramaraffe, Ketchup, Muffins, Marion, Camille, Scoops, Various voices Voice actor
2019 Cannon Busters Lady Day English dub
2020 Just Roll with It Nana Blatt Episode: "Grandma & Grandpa Sittin' in a Tree"
Spitting Image Beyoncé, Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Mother Nature Voice actor
Baby Shark's Big Show! Grandma Shark English dub, main role
Web series roles
Year Title Role Notes
2012–13 Lips X-girlfriend 2 episodes
2017 My Sister Is So Gay[9] 6 episodes
Video game roles
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Everybody's Golf 4 Various Voices Voice
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 N/A Voice
2009 Halo 3: ODST Marine #4 Voice
2010 Dead to Rights: Retribution Security Guard Voice
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Additional Voices Voice
Fallout: New Vegas Kate / Sweetie / Yvette / Boomer Teacher / Jackal Gang Member / Mercenary / New Vegas Citizen / Novac Settler / Prospector / The Tops Cashier / Traveling Merchant / Vault 34 Dweller / Vikki and Vance Dealer / Viper Gunslinger / Viper Leader / White Gloves Society Member 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[16] Voice
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
Desperados III Isabelle Moreau Voice
Bugsnax Shellsy "Shelda" Woolbag Voice

References
  1. West, Diane (October 1, 2006). "Debra Wilson On Success, Snakes and Spirituality". New York Tails.
  2. "Debra Wilson Biography". TCM.com. Turner Classic Movies.
  3. Fischer, Paul (April 19, 2003). "Debra Gets Twisted". FilmMonthly.
  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. Pantoja, Kevin (May 27, 2019). "10 Funniest Cast Members of MadTV (And Where They Are Now)". Screenrant.
  7. Carter, Alan (July 2002). "Laugh In". Vibe. Vol. 10 no. 7.
  8. Persaud, Christine (May 28, 2019). "Where Are They Now? The Cast of MadTV". ScreenRant.
  9. Mar, Pollo Del (January 27, 2017). "Debra Wilson Talks Queer Legacy of MADtv Whitney Houston Parodies, New Series 'My Sister Is So Gay'". Huff Post.
  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". New York Post.
  13. Bastién, Angelica Jade (January 4, 2018). "The Best Episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Ranked". Vulture.
  14. Shanley, Patrick (November 13, 2019). "'Star Wars' Actor Debra Wilson Is a Prolific Force Among Video Game Performers". The Hollywood Reporter.
  15. ""MADTV" STAR Headed for Divorce Court". 10 May 2012. TMZ. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  16. "Indivisible Cast List Revealed". Indivisible. August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
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