Deborah Pratt

{{Short description|American actress, writer and producer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Deborah Pratt | image = | image_size = | alt = | birth_name = | birth_date = December 16, 1951 | birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | other_names = Deborah Pratt-Bellisario, Deborah M. Pratt | occupation = {{flatlist| * Actress * writer * producer * director }} | alma_mater = Webster University | years_active = 1975–present | spouse = {{marriage|Donald P. Bellisario|1984|1991|end=div}} | children = 2, including Troian Bellisario | relatives = }} '''Deborah M. Pratt''' (born December 16, 1951) is an American director, writer, television producer and actress.

==Early life== Pratt was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to an African American family.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 18, 2013 |title=15 Celebrities Most People Don't Know Are Black | Page 8 |url=http://madamenoire.com/302769/celebrities-most-people-dont-know-are-black/8/ |access-date=June 20, 2015 |publisher=MadameNoire.com}}</ref> She is the daughter of Geraldine Marian (''née'' Bryant), a teacher, and Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt, a vice president of Pullman Heritage Bank. Colonel Pratt commanded the segregated 827th Tank Destroyer Battalion in Europe during the Second World War and later served in the Illinois National Guard.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 7, 1991 |title=Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-12-07-9104200220-story.html |access-date=June 24, 2020 |publisher=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> Pratt has four sisters.<ref name=alpha/>

Pratt earned a degree in Psychology from Webster University and studied Theatre at The Conservatory of Theatre Arts.<ref name=alpha>{{cite web|url=https://www.alphathemagazine.com/actress-writer-and-producer-deborah-pratt-inspires-young-creatives/|last=Le Sirena|first=Christina|title=Actress, Writer, and producer Deborah Pratt Inspires Young Creatives|work=Alpha magazine|access-date=August 7, 2023|date=February 25, 2023}}</ref>

==Career== Pratt started performing on stage in Chicago theatre. Deborah's talent was discovered through a nationwide search that brought her to Los Angeles under contract to NBC, singing and dancing, on The Dean Martin Show with ''The Golddiggers''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Vision Quest with Deborah Pratt | date=May 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8go6mjiND4k |access-date=2023-06-22 |language=en}}</ref> She sang and danced with Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and toured with Debbie Reynolds. Pratt acted in various television series, including ''Magnum, P.I.'', ''Happy Days'', ''The New Odd Couple'', ''Benson'', and ''Airwolf''. She started her writing career creating multiple episodes for ''Magnum P.I.'' and ''Airwolf'', and starred in three pilots, ''Katmandu, She's With Me, and Phyl & Mikhy''. Pratt also acted in feature films, some of which include ''Exit to Eden'', ''Last Rites'', and the cult classic, ''Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone''.

Pratt became showrunner—co-creator, executive producer, and head writer—for the ''Quantum Leap'' TV series,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JVVWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6808,5802951&dq=deborah+pratt&hl=en|title=There's A Week Of Quantum Leap|date=June 24, 1991|work=Eugene Register-Guard|page=4C|access-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref> which was created by her then-husband, Donald Bellisario.<ref name="os">{{cite news |title=Producer takes a leap with 'Liberation' script |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77765331/deborah-pratt/ |access-date=May 16, 2021 |work=The Orlando Sentinel |agency=Tribune Media Services |date=January 5, 1993 |page=2|via = Newspapers.com}}</ref> Pratt also frequently starred in the show as both the narrator and the voice of Ziggy.

In 1992, Pratt served as executive producer and co-showrunner for ''Tequila and Bonetti'' on CBS. In 1998-1999, Pratt developed the series for TV and was showrunner and executive producer of ''The Net'' for CBS. In 2000, she made her directorial debut with ''Cora Unashamed'' for ''Masterpiece Theatre'''s ''The American Collection''. In 2009, she reprised her role as Ziggy for the ''Quantum Leap'' fan film, ''A Leap to Di For''. And as of 2022, Deborah returned as executive producer on the ''Quantum Leap'' reboot (2022-present) for NBC Universal and Peacock.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=Quantum Leap Producer Hopes NBC's Reboot Will Launch Whole New Franchise |url=https://movieweb.com/quantum-leap-deborah-pratt-new-franchise-reboot/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}}</ref>

Pratt has directed shorts, a TV movie, and a ''Grey's Anatomy'' episode after ''Quantum Leap'', but head writer duties kept her from directing her own show. Pratt directed the "Family Style" episode (air date of February 27, 2023) of the ''Quantum Leap'' reboot.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Quantum Leap' head writer finally got chance to direct - UPI.com |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2023/02/27/Quantum-Leap-head-writer-direct/8231677266569/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

Pratt is a published novelist, having written ''The Vision Quest'' (a three-book science fiction/fantasy series) and ''Age of Eve,'' as well as an inspirational speaker. She has also sold feature scripts to major studios. Pratt is currently working on a play in development for the London stage, ''Joseph Bologne'',<ref>{{Citation |title=Deborah Pratt EP of NBC's Quantum Leap Talks Producing, and Playing "Ziggy" On The Original Series! | date=February 25, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMxcG9TdaX4 |access-date=2023-06-22 |language=en}}</ref> as well as a graphic novel, interactive game, and interactive television series all entitled ''Warrior One''.

She has received numerous awards for her work, including five Emmy Awards nominations, a Golden Block Award, and multiple festival awards for her short films. Pratt is also an advocate for women and minority rights in the industry. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America and is on multiple committees at the Directors Guild of America. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America and SAG/AFTRA.{{Citation needed |date=August 2023}}

==Filmography==

=== Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1981 |''Elephant Parts'' |Player | |- |1983 |''Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone'' |Meagan | |- |1988 |''Last Rites'' |Robin Dwyer | |- |1994 |''Exit to Eden'' |Dr. Allison | |- |2006 |''Unspoken'' |Madison | |- |2008 |''Chinaman's Chance: America's Other Slaves'' |Rachel | |- |2010 |''Peep World'' |Cassandra Williamson | |- |2022 |''Doula'' |Deb's Mother | |}

=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1973 |''The Dean Martin Show'' |Golddigger |Episode: ''"Celebrity Roast: Monty Hall"'' |- |1975 |''Police Woman'' |Kate |Episode: ''"Pattern for Evil"'' |- | rowspan="2" |1978 |''CHiPs'' |Carol |Episode: ''"Crash Diet"'' |- |''Love Is Not Enough'' |Susan |Television Film |- |1979 |''Happy Days'' |Kat Mandu |Episode: ''"Fonzie Meets Kat"'' |- | rowspan="2" |1980 |''Phyl & Mikhy'' |Connie |Episode: ''"Phyl's Wedding"'' |- |''Katmandu'' |Kat Mandu |Television Film |- |1981 |''Grambling's White Tiger'' |Jennifer |Television Film |- | rowspan="3" |1982 |''Strike Force'' |Loretta |Episode: ''"Humiliation"'' |- |''She's with Me'' |Bonnie Madison |Television Film |- |''The New Odd Couple'' |Sandra |Episode: ''"The Odd Triangle"'' |- | rowspan="3" |1983 |''Prime Times'' |Various |Television Film |- |''Benson'' |Jill Fletcher |Episode: ''"Who's Arnold?"'' |- |''Gimme a Break!'' |Vanessa |Episode: ''"The Way to a Man's Heart"'' |- |1984 |''Days of Our Lives'' |Lacey Parker |6 Episodes |- |1984 |''Magnum, P.I. (1980)'' |Gloria |4 Episodes |- |1984 |''Airwolf'' |Writer |1 Episode |- |1984–1985 |''Airwolf'' |Marella |14 Episodes |- |1984-1985 |''Magnum, P.I.'' ''(1980)'' |Writer |2 Episodes |- | rowspan="2" |1987 |''Three on a Match'' |Sissy |Television Film |- |''Hunter'' |Sandra Browning |Episode: ''"Flashpoint"'' |- |''1989'' |''Magnum, P.I.'' (1980) |Writer |2 Episodes |- | rowspan="3" |1989–1993 |''Quantum Leap'' (1989) |Writer |20 Episodes |- |''Quantum Leap'' (1989) |Co-Executive Producer/ Supervising Producer |97 Episodes |- |''Quantum Leap'' (1989) |Narrator / Ziggy / Troian Claridge |65 Episodes |- | rowspan="2" |1992 | rowspan="2" |''Tequila and Bonetti'' |Nicole |Episode: ''"A Perfect Match"'' |- |Co-Executive Producer/Producer |2 Episodes |- |1997 |''Girlfriends'' |Director/Writer/Producer |Short |- |1998–1999 |''The Net'' |Developed/Writer/Creator/Executive Producer/Director |8 Episodes |- |1999 |''Our Friend, Martin'' |Producer/Screenplay |Animated TV Film |- |2000 |''Cora Unshamed'' ''<nowiki>|</nowiki>'' BBC Masterpiece Theatre The America Collection |Director |Television Film |- | rowspan="2" |2016 |''Game of Chance'' (TV Series) |Executive Producer |4 Episodes |- |''Game of Chance'' (Video) |Writer/Executive Producer/Director |Video Short |- |2020 |''Grey's Anatomy'' |Director |Episode: ''"Put On a Happy Face" (Ep. 1621)'' |- | rowspan="2" |2022–2024 | rowspan="3" |''Quantum Leap'' ''(2022)'' |Executive Producer |18 Episodes |- |Ziggy |2 Episodes |- |2023 |Director |Episode: ''"Family Style" (Ep. 113)'' |}

== Bibliography == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Publisher |- |2013 |Age of Eve: Return of the Nephilim |BroadLit |- |2015 |The Atlantian: The Vision Quest, Book 1 |VGM Publishing |- |2017 |The Academy: The Vision Quest, Book 2 |VGM Publishing |- |2017 |The Odyssey: The Vision Quest, Book 3 |VGM Publishing |- |TBD |Mirrors: The Dragon Mirror |VGM Publishing |}

== Discography == {| class="wikitable" |+ !'''Year''' !'''Title''' !'''Project''' |- |1988 |"All My Life" |''Last Rites'' (Movie) |- |1991 |"The Alphabet Rap" |''Quantum Leap'' (TV Series) |}

== Awards == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Nom. /Win !Award !Project !Title |- |1990 |Women In Film '''''(Win)''''' |Lillian Gish |''Quantum Leap'' |Episode:''"The Color of Truth"''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sevi |first=Mark |title=Deborah Pratt - Writer/Producer/Actress/Etc! |url=https://www.ocscreenwriters.org/index.php/old-site/5-word-reviews/item/460-deborah-pratt-writer-producer-actress-etc |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=www.ocscreenwriters.org |language=en-gb}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |1991 | rowspan="2" |Writing '''''(Win)''''' |The Golden Block Award | rowspan="2" |''Quantum Leap'' | rowspan="2" |Episode:''"Private Dancer"'' |- |The Angel Award |- | rowspan="2" |1990-1993 |Best Dramatic TV Series (5 Nominees) |Emmy |''Quantum Leap'' |<ref name=":0" /> |- |Producing (5 Nominees) |B.E.N. Awards (Black Emmy Nominee) |''Quantum Leap'' |<ref name=":0" /> |- | rowspan="2" |1999 |Writing (5 Nominees) |Emmy |Animated TV Film |''Our Friend, Martin'' |- |Writing (5 Nominees) |B.E.N. Awards (Black Emmy Nominee) |Animated TV Film |''Our Friend, Martin''<ref name=":0" /> |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name}} *[https://deborahmpratt.com/ Official site] * [http://www.thevisionquest.com/author Deborah Pratt biodata] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907084716/http://www.thevisionquest.com/author |date=September 7, 2007 }}, thevisionquest.com * [http://actorsentertainment.com/actorse/july-15th-2011-actorse-chat-with-writeractress-deborah-pratt-actor-matthew-ziff-and-host-steve-nave ''ActorsE Chat Show'' appearance], actorsentertainment.com {{Donald P. Bellisario}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pratt, Deborah}} Category:21st-century American novelists Category:Actresses from Chicago Category:African-American women writers Category:African-American film directors Category:American film actresses Category:Film directors from Illinois Category:American television actresses Category:Television producers from Illinois Category:American women television producers Category:American television writers Category:American voice actresses Category:Living people Category:American women film directors Category:American women television writers Category:Writers from Chicago Category:21st-century American women novelists Category:Novelists from Illinois Category:African-American screenwriters Category:Screenwriters from Illinois Category:Bellisario family Category:African-American novelists Category:20th-century African-American actresses Category:20th-century American actresses Category:21st-century African-American actresses Category:21st-century American actresses Category:1951 births

Deborah Pratt

Connections

Linked from (43 total)

Links to (44 total)