Deborah M. Pratt is an American director, writer, television producer and actress.
Early life
Pratt was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to an African American family.[1] She's 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.[2] Pratt has four sisters.[3]
Pratt earned a degree in Psychology from Webster University and studied Theatre at The Conservatory of Theatre Arts.[3]
Pratt became showrunner—co-creator, executive producer, and head writer—for the Quantum Leap TV series,[5] which was created by her then-husband, Donald Bellisario.[6] 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 Leapfan 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.[7]
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.[8]
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,[9] 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]
