Harry, Deborah (1945–)

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Harry, Deborah (1945–)

American singer and actress. Name variations: Debbie Harry; Blondie. Born July 1, 1945, in Miami, Florida.

Groundbreaking rocker known for deadpan delivery, once worked as Playboy bunny; began music career with folk-rockers, Wind in the Willows; gained fame as front woman for Blondie, new-wave band founded in 1975 with long-time partner Chris Stein; sang lead vocals on group's Parallel Lines (1978), Eat to the Beat (1979), Autoamerican (1980), and successful comeback effort No Exit (1999); released solo albums KooKoo (1981), Rockbird (1986), and Debravation (1993); collaborated with New York underground group the Jazz Passengers (1990s); played quirky leads and supporting roles in films Union City (1979), Videodrome (1982), Hairspray (1988), Heavy (1995), Cop Land (1997), and My Life Without Me (2003); performed frequently for AIDS charities; recognized for early support of rap music; inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2006).