Inside Debra Messing's Marriage to Husband Daniel Zelman and Her Dating Life after Their Divorce

Debra Messing's husband, Daniel Zelman, is also in the entertainment business as a producer and writer. Although they were married for a few years, their union ended in a traumatic divorce. However, the actress did not give up on finding love and continued to date afterward.

Debra Messing was already an entertainer while in school, having starred in several musicals. She later took her talents to Hollywood and starred in several films and shows, including "The Wedding Date," "The Starter Wife," and "Hollywood Ending."

However, Messing is most recognized for her starring role as Grace Adler on "Will & Grace." Since becoming a public figure, many have taken an interest in Messing's personal life, including her relationship with Daniel Zelman.

Debra Messing's Marriage to Daniel Zelman Ended in a 'Traumatic' Divorce

Messing and Zelman were both graduate students at New York University when they first crossed paths in 1990. After dating for years, the couple got engaged in 1998 and tied the knot on December 3, 2000.

Like his wife, Zelman also worked as a writer and producer in the entertainment industry during their marriage. Some of his most-known works include "Damages," "Fool's Gold," and "Bloodline," among many others.

Although Messing was open to dating, she did not entertain the idea of marrying again. In 2019, she revealed that she had wanted to date again as part of her 2018 New Year's resolution but failed to do so.

In 2004, the Hollywood star got pregnant with their first child, and by the time she was in her eighth month, the doctor advised her to stay in bed. The actress, who was mid-filming for "Will & Grace" at that time, had to stay home, and as a result, her character was written off some of the show's episodes.

In April of the same year, Messing gave birth to her first child, Roman Walker Zelman, weighing 5 pounds and 14 ounces. The actress hoped her son would grow up to be like her husband, whom she described as intelligent and sensitive with a good sense of humor.

While their little family enjoyed a few glorious years together, Messing and Zelman eventually divorced after a decade as husband and wife. A representative said:

"The decision was mutual, and they remain supportive of one another and committed to raising their son as a family."

Like any spouse, Messing wanted her marriage to last. Having a divorce was the last thing she would have wanted, especially because of how it would affect her son. According to the actress, she felt guilty that she was not able to give her child the same happy and complete family her parents gave her.

Zelman and Messing knew their marriage was crashing, and they tried everything to save it. However, it was better to go their separate ways and co-parent their son instead.

The "S.M.A.S.H" actress eventually found peace through her divorce journey but does not deny that it had been a traumatic memory. According to Entertainment Tonight, Messing said:

"[...] It was traumatic because every aspect of my life was going through a huge change. I had to find a school for my second grader. We didn't have a home. We didn't have furniture."

Debra Messing's Romance with Will Chase Was Brief, but It Sparked an Unlikely Friendship

In 2011, when Messing was already separated from her husband, an insider revealed that she was dating her "S.M.A.S.H." co-star, Will Chase. The actress' son was reportedly also a fan of Chase, who was a father to two teenage girls at the time.

Unfortunately, the relationship lasted for two years and six months until their split. However, the pair remained close friends, which they were prior to their romance.

In 2021, Messing mourned the death of Chase's ex-wife, Lori Davis, with a social media tribute. In her post, she noted that heaven gained an angel despite Davis's untimely death. She also revealed that she had a special bond with her ex-boyfriend's previous partner.

Davis was a great mother to her two children and even to Messing's own son, Roman. "We loved each other's children," she said, and as a result, they became good friends.

Debra Messing Allegedly Has No Wish to Re-Marry

Although Messing was open to dating, she did not entertain the idea of marrying again. In 2019, she revealed that she had wanted to date again as part of her 2018 New Year's resolution but failed to do so.

During an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, she claimed no one had asked her out on a date. Her criteria for a suitable match were someone intelligent, caring, and with a good sense of humor. In fact, she did not mind if he was in the same industry. Her son even fully supported his mom's love life and begged her to start dating again.

In 2021, Debra Messing's name emerged in news outlets after she questioned "Saturday Night Live's" decision to have Kim Kardashian host the show's 47th season. The "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star was up against Rami Malek, Owen Wilson, and Jason Sudeikis.

In a Twitter post, Messing questioned how the hit show cast celebrities and wondered why the beauty mogul was chosen. Although non-performers are often chosen, "SNL" has rebranded its structure to keep up with the younger generation. Messing's concern was never officially addressed by the show or the celebrity involved.