Pratt started performing on stage in Chicago theatre. Deborah's talent was discovered through a nationwide search that brought her to Los Angeles under contract to NBC, singing and dancing, on
The Dean Martin Show with
The Golddiggers. She sang and danced with
Gene Kelly,
Donald O'Connor, and toured with
Debbie Reynolds. Pratt acted in various television series, including
Magnum, P.I.,
Happy Days,
The New Odd Couple,
Benson, and
Airwolf. She started her writing career creating multiple episodes for
Magnum P.I. and
Airwolf, and starred in three pilots, ''Katmandu, She's With Me, and
Phyl & Mikhy. Pratt also acted in feature films, some of which include Exit to Eden, Last Rites, and the cult classic, Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone''. Pratt became showrunner—co-creator, executive producer, and head writer—for the
Quantum Leap TV series, which was created by her then-husband,
Donald Bellisario. Pratt also frequently starred in the show as both the narrator and the voice of Ziggy. In 1992, Pratt served as executive producer and co-showrunner for
Tequila and Bonetti on CBS. In 1998-1999, Pratt developed the series for TV and was showrunner and executive producer of
The Net for CBS. In 2000, she made her directorial debut with
Cora Unashamed for
Masterpiece Theatre's
The American Collection. In 2009, she reprised her role as Ziggy for the
Quantum Leap fan film,
A Leap to Di For. And as of 2022, Deborah returned as executive producer on the
Quantum Leap reboot (2022-present) for NBC Universal and Peacock. Pratt has directed shorts, a TV movie, and a ''
Grey's Anatomy episode after Quantum Leap
, but head writer duties kept her from directing her own show. Pratt directed the "Family Style" episode (air date of February 27, 2023) of the Quantum Leap'' reboot. Pratt is a published novelist, having written
The Vision Quest (a three-book science fiction/fantasy series) and
Age of Eve, as well as an inspirational speaker. She has also sold feature scripts to major studios. Pratt is currently working on a play in development for the London stage,
Joseph Bologne, as well as a graphic novel, interactive game, and interactive television series all entitled
Warrior One. She has received numerous awards for her work, including five
Emmy Awards nominations, a Golden Block Award, and multiple festival awards for her short films. Pratt is also an advocate for women and minority rights in the industry. She has served on the Board of Directors of the
Writers Guild of America and is on multiple committees at the
Directors Guild of America. She is a member of the
Producers Guild of America and
SAG/AFTRA. ==Filmography==