Born Mary Frances Reynolds in El Paso, Texas, Debbie Reynolds has been America’s sweetheart for over four decades. At the age of 16, she entered a beauty contest, winning the title of Miss Burbank and a screen test with Warner Brothers.

The screen test led to a contract, and a name change, and in 1949 she made her screen debut in The Daughters of Rosie O’Grady. Reynolds has since starred in more than 25 feature films, including the classic screen musical Singing in the Rain, and her Oscar-nominated performance as Molly Brown in The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

Reynolds has long been involved with several worthwhile causes and charities including the Girl Scouts, and she was a founder and president of the Thalians, an organization devoted to helping emotionally disturbed children.

For her outstanding professional and charitable work, Reynolds has received numerous awards and commendations, including the Gypsy Award, from the Professional Dancer’s Society, Entertainer of the Year, presented by Cue magazine; the National Film Award, from the National Film Society; the Miss Wonderful Award, from the Thalians; and the Torch Bearer Award, presented by the City of Hope.

Reynolds is also making a comeback as a star, currently starring in Albert Brooks’ Mother, the hilarious tale of a man who, after two divorces, realizes that if he doesn’t straighten out his relationship with his mother (Reynolds), he is never going to be able to make it work with the other women in his life.