It's not common that The American Dog features a cat owner, but Debra Skelton is a lover of all beings, from humans to animals! Although she is a Hollywood actress and comedienne, that is not her first calling. A native of Queens, New York, Debra attended the High School of Performing Arts, but did not immediately fall into acting. Rather, she taught pre-kindergarten for six years through the City of New York Parks and Recreation, where she also led programs for seniors, directed summer camps, and much more.
One evening after a tough day at work at Parks and Rec, she headed to a comedy club, a move that changed her life forever. She was inspired and realized that she, too, could become "part of the palette." This is why her name might be familiar to many; her acting resume runs deep. She was an original cast member of the comedy series "MADtv" for eight seasons and lends her voice to animated shows such as Family Guy and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Debra's repertoire also includes voice-overs for video games like Disney's The Princess and the Frog, Halo 3, Spiderman 3, and X Men!
Debra's spontaneous enthusiasm for her career, life and people has proved to be a wonderful asset not only to the acting community, but to the non-profit community as well, specifically animal-welfare organizations. She lends her talents as the guest emcee or host of many charitable fundraisers and events. "I may not be a billionaire, but by helping tell a story and helping others tell their stories, I find success in taking on the responsibility of helping to raise much-needed money for a variety of organizations," Debra explains.
Some of the non-profits close to Debra's heart include Animal Acres, Strangest Angels, New Leash on Life Animal Rescue, Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, and Animal Avengers. "By helping these communities, I am able to celebrate the best of us as humans," she says. "We can overcome economical obstacles if we work together as a team." Although she doesn't currently live with a dog, Debra explains, "You don't need a dog to work for and help the dog community. All animals are here for a reason and I can't bear to see any of them put down; no one can."
Debra is thrilled that organizations seek her out to help their efforts. She wants to spread the message that although the world is in chaos, humans are the light of the world, and together, they can raise a vibration big enough to become a satellite"”and change anything!
