Biography

Debra Manners was born in Burbank, California. Her mother was a June Taylor dancer for Jackie Gleason and can be seen on the cover of his album "Music to Make You Misty" as well as an issue of Life Magazine. Debra's father, Mickey Manners was a stand up comedian, who worked with many greats including Jerry Lewis, Lucille Ball, and Milton Berle among many others. He also had his own television series and frequented may television shows as well as appearing in most of Jerry Lewis' films. Debra's Godfather was Buddy Lester from the Rat Pack and her sister's Godfather was Joey Bishop.

Early on, the family of seven moved to upstate New York where Debra spent her childhood summers with her family in Brooklyn while her father performed as a Borscht Belt comedian in upstate New York. For years, Debra would perform with her father on stage doing an Abbott and Costello style bit. The family later moved to Newport Beach, California where she attended Corona Del Mar High School (go Sea Kings!). After graduating, Debra started working for her brother, Scott at Stone Manners Agency.

After thirteen years there, she decided to spread her wings and went into casting for herself for seven years. She was casting coordinator for Passions, Nash Bridges, and Marshall Law on NBC, and worked with Sheila Manning in commercials as well as collaborated with Michael Mann in Talent Management. Debra also worked in the world of Feature Films with Robert McGee, Cathy Henderson, and Dori Zuckerman, and cast for notable figures as Jon Voight and Dorothy Koster. During this time, Debra was also made center stage at a prominent charity event show that she helped produce for William Shatner and Patrick Duffy where she coordinated all major celebrities, talent, and charities. Quote from Debra:

"God is the key to life. The energy and the life force of who I am is because of Him- His love, His direction, His protection, His guidance & His provision. He is my strength. He is the reason I'm able to do what I do and I'm so thankful and grateful for the Lord's love."
- IMDb mini biography by: DEBRA MANNERS