WORD-ON-THE-STREET

  • With her dynamic presence & one-of-a-kind personality, Debbie DeLisi has been winning the hearts of people at home & across the globe. If people are separated by six degrees – with Debbie, it's one or two. Word-on-the-street... is people either know Debbie or knows-someone-who-knows her! She’s famous-among-the-famous; beloved by the widespread community.

    Debbie has an unconventional dichotomy as an actress & casting director, making for a vibrant ride.

    Debbie’s youthful zest, coupled w/old school depth & substance, is forever fueled by her love of (& relentless obsession with) people. Their endless intricacies fuel her fire & serve as the baseline of an outside-the-box, colorful yet complicated, career & life.

  • You never know where you’re going to catch Debbie next. Recently, she was in the Safdie Brothers, UNCUT GEMS. She’s had the privilege of working with both industry icons & up n’ coming greats. Notably, she was one of the last actors to work w/Robert Altman in his final film, A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION. He cast Debbie in a scene w/Tommy Lee Jones, giving her the opportunity to be part of a star-studded, well-respected cast.

    As a spokesmodel, she had a blast representing the great Joan Rivers in her product line, JOAN RIVER’S BEAUTY (Great Hair Day campaign).

    Her work is filled with unique & memorable parts, from HBO's THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES (interviewed by Eve Ensler herself) to National Lampoon's ENDLESS BUMMER (alongside punk rock legend Lee Ving of Fear).

    HBO gave Debbie the extraordinary opportunity of appearing with her Mom on the wildly popular THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES. A favorite of producers & viewers, they endeared audiences with zany admissions, uncommon rapport & courageous soul sharing. Following the tv special, she went on to act in several theatrical incarnations of the show, across the country.

    "Cameo Queen," directors cast her in scenes opposite acting greats. She was also a frequent panelist on MSNBC’s JESSE VENTURA’S AMERICA, where she had the unique experience of giving her views a national voice, never at a loss for words.

    Starring in Academy Award winner Alan Ball's FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS, Debbie enjoyed extended runs in her Off B'way theatrical debut, following graduating from William Esper Studio, studying with the late Bill Esper.

    Her short film, THE RE-GIFT, earned a loyal family of supporters. Zig-zagging the US, THE RE-GIFT continues to be an audience favorite.

  • In casting, she carves a singular niche– partnering w/industry’s best to secure hard-to-cast talent in breakout roles. Called upon by venerable directors, producers & fellow casting colleagues, she's best known for spearheading principal searches, which have produced Oscar nominated roles & discovered rare gems. On the personal side, she makes a smorgasbord of friends – high-brow, low-brow & rando’s along the way. Debbie had the honor of accompanying Academy Award® nominee Barkhad Abdi to the Golden Globes when he was nominated for his work in CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. All four lead actors in CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (Somali pirates) were initially discovered at a MN casting call she hosted. He was quoted saying, “If it wasn’t for her, this would’ve never happened.” (Mpls Star Tribune)

    HAIL, CAESAR! marked the fourth consecutive feature with Joel & Ethan Coen. Ironically, Debbie started in casting as an intern on their film FARGO.

    Debbie “gets it” – both the craft of performing & casting. Giving many of today’s professionals priceless opportunities, she has a knack of connecting talent to the right project.

    Her resume is peppered with directors such as Steven Spielberg, Joel & Ethan Coen, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Paul Greengrass, Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig, Ben Stiller, Josh & Benny Safdie & the late Robert Altman, among others. Debbie partnered with CD Ellen Lewis on the international search for Steven Spielberg's "READY PLAYER ONE," among others.

    Collabs w/other CD greats include Nina Gold, Vickie Thomas, Ellen Chenoweth, Francine Maisler, Rachel Tenner, etc. These casting searches have also produced iconic roles. CD Rachel Tenner is a frequent partner, specifically accompanying Rachel "on-the-road" in search of the Academy Award® nominated role “Mattie Ross” in the Coen Brothers film, TRUE GRIT. The two embarked on a multi-city nationwide search for Mattie Ross & other principal roles – scouring rodeos, ranches & random corners of the Earth (while plowing through thousands of tapes).

    Never bored, she works in both principal casting & artisanal background casting in film, tv, theatre, commercial, whatever inspires her. Colleagues pursue her boundless energy, atypical approach, unusual channels & steadfast dedication.

  • Debbie continues to diversify her portfolio, making her a formidable player as an actress, casting director, writer/director/producer & forever activist.

    She traverses the globe – both professionally & via her multifaceted service work.

    Currently, Debbie and Adam are creating a television series, forever inspired along the way!