Debra Wilson

Debra Wilson (born April 21, 1962) is an American actress and comedian whose career spans over three decades, making her one of the most versatile performers in contemporary entertainment. Raised in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens, New York City, she attended the famed High School of the Performing Arts before earning a degree in television and radio broadcasting at Syracuse University; during the 1980s she even worked as a preschool teacher at All Saints Church in Sunnyside, demonstrating an early commitment to community engagement. Wilson’s breakthrough came in 1995 when she joined the original cast of Mad TV, where she remained for eight seasons, creating iconic characters such as the fast‑talking “Black American Princess” Bunifa Latifah Halifah Sharifa Jackson and delivering memorable impressions of Oprah Winfrey and Whitney Houston. Her distinctive comedic timing and powerful vocal range soon opened doors to voice‑over work, leading her to portray a plethora of characters across animated series—including Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart, Baby Shark's Big Show!, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine—as well as high‑profile video games like Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (as Grace Walker), Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel (as Cere Junda), and Halo Infinite (as the Harbinger). In 2022 she made history by becoming the first African‑American performer to voice Daisy Duck in Mickey Mouse Funhouse, further cementing her status as a trailblazer in voice acting.

Beyond sketch comedy and voice work, Wilson has demonstrated her dramatic chops in independent films such as The Summerland Project and Bodied, and has appeared in television dramas including Without a Trace and recurring roles on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Her off‑stage contributions include co‑hosting duties on the TV Guide Channel’s TV Watercooler and GSN Live, as well as serving as the announcer for the revived Weakest Link hosted by Jane Lynch. Married to writer‑director Cliff Skelton from 2006 until their separation in 2010, Wilson continues to expand her repertoire, recently lending her voice to titles like Death Stranding 2 and Palia, while remaining a beloved figure in both comedy and gaming communities.