Messing returned to the stage in the Off-Broadway production of Robert O’Hara’s play, “Shit Meet Fan.” She has also starred on Broadway in John Patrick Shanley’s Tony Award-nominated, “Outside Mullingar” and Noah Haidle’s play, “Birthday Candles.”

Messing has worked as Global Health Ambassador for PSI focusing on HIV/AIDS, and has traveled extensively in Africa in support of the organization. She has testified before the House Foreign Affairs sub-committee on Africa and Global Health and spoke at the International AIDS conference.

She has been honored by the HRC as one of the world’s greatest supporters of the LGBTQ+ community both on screen and off screen, and by The Trevor Project with The Trevor Life Award in recognition of her contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. Messing is also a founding member of the nonpartisan civic engagement organization, i am a voter, and co-hosted the activism-focused podcast, The Dissenters, which spotlighted 22 individuals who have made an impact.  

In the wake of the atrocities committed on October 7th, Debra has used her platform to be one of the strongest, clearest and most informed voices advocating for Israel, the end of hate and misinformation and the release of the hostages. She spoke at the March for Israel in D.C. and traveled to Israel in December 2023 to bear witness to the massacre and meet with hostage families and survivors. She executive produced the documentary, OCTOBER H8TE, about the explosion of antisemitism since October 7th and has been speaking around the country about the strength, resilience and divine purpose of the Jewish people. 

Messing grew up in Rhode Island, received her BA from Brandeis University and earned her Masters of Fine Arts from NYU’s The Tisch School of the Arts. She resides in New York City.

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