Debra Messing recalls her Will & Grace TV show mom, Debbie Reynolds. (Shutterstock.com photo credits (l-r) Ron Adar; Featureflash Photo Agency.)
Debbie Reynolds died at the age of 84 on December 28, 2016, just a day after her 60 year old daughter Carrie Fisher passed away. The dual loss has both shocked and touched people, deeply. While we don’t often cover movie stars of her echelon, Reynolds — who loved to work — also worked a lot in TV.
From 1999 to 2006, Debbie Reynolds filled one of her more memorable TV roles — Bobbi Adler — Grace’s mom, on the Will & Grace TV show. In the wake of Reynolds’ passing, Grace’s alter ego — Debra Messing — has posted to social media about her love of and admiration for the late star. Will & Grace cast mates Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack have also expressed their fondness for Ms. Reynolds as well as their sorrow at the loss of this talented light.
Debra Messing Pays Tribute to TV Mom Debbie Reynolds
Messing first reacted to Debbie Reynold’s death on Twitter, saying, “So heartsick. Debbie went to be with Carrie. It’s such a devastating 1,2 punch. She was my “mom” for years & I loved her dearly. A legend.”
Later, she posted an extended memorial on Instagram, which reads:
Debbie went to be with Carrie. She always worried about her. Carrie left too soon and now they are together again. My heart is literally broken. For 8 years she was my mom.
She was pure energy & light when she came on stage. She was loving, and bawdy, and playful- a consummate pro- old school and yet had the work ethic and investment in her craft of a new fiery up and comer. She was always running off to Vegas or somewhere else “on the road” to be a hoofer, to sing and dance and make people laugh. She performed 340 days out of the year. An inspiration on every level.
A Legend of course, the epitome of clean cut American optimism, dancing with Gene Kelly as an equal, a warrior woman who never stopped working. A devoted mother and grandmother, and aunt and great aunt, and friend. I lost my mom a few years ago. She loved that Debbie was my TV mom. I hope they find each other and hug and kiss and my mom says, “I got you, Debbie. Carrie’s waiting for you.” RIP Bobbie Adler. ♥
https://twitter.com/DebraMessing/status/814289560469471232
Eric McCormack and Sean Hayes Honor Debbie Reynolds
Eric McCormack, who played Will, tweeted, “The combination of the loss of @carrieffisher & then her mom @DebbieReynolds1 is too much. I’m really at a loss here… #toomuch16”
He later retweeted a photo of Carrie Fisher as a child, watching her mom Debbie Reynolds, perform on stage.
The combination of the loss of @carrieffisher & then her mom @DebbieReynolds1 is too much. I'm really at a loss here… #toomuch16
— Eric McCormack (@EricMcCormack) December 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/PatrickGilmore/status/814347977867268098
Sean Hayes tweeted a photo of himself with Reynolds from the Will & Grace days, adding, “It is beyond astonishing that both @carrieffisher & @DebbieReynolds1 have left this earth. I overwhelmingly adored & admired them both.”
It is beyond astonishing that both @carrieffisher & @DebbieReynolds1 have left this earth. I overwhelmingly adored & admired them both. 😢🌹🌹 pic.twitter.com/emLn1ZvwUd
— Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) December 29, 2016
Megan Mullally, who played Karen Walker on Will & Grace, also lost her step-father yesterday, and has understandably not yet commented on Debbie Reynolds. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families. Finally, we will be glad to see the tail-end of 2016.
We invite you to share your memories of Debbie Reynolds and her work, below.
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