Name: Debbe Dunning
Sometimes Credited As: Debra Dunning
Date of Birth: 11 July 1966,
Place of Birth: Burbank, California, USA
Occupation: Actress
Beautiful and funny? Debbe Dunning is that and much
more, so when the producers of "Home Improvement"
set out to cast the role of Heidi, the "Tool Time"
girl, they remembered Dunning, who had guest-starred
on one of the previous season's most popular episodes.
Born and raised in Burbank, California, Dunning graduated
from John Burroughs High, the same high school from
which her parents had graduated exactly 20 years earlier.
Her senior year memories include cheerleading, being
homecoming queen, and winning the title of Miss Burbank
of 1984. That same year, when her parents' vacation
money was stolen, Dunning entered a Miller Beer Bikini
Contest in Hermosa Beach and won the $500 prize, which
she promptly donated to the vacation fund. The next
weekend she entered another contest, with the same result.
Before long, Miller recognized a good thing, put her
on a poster, and began showcasing her in personal appearances.
It was at this point that Dunning realized show business
might be the way to go.
Dunning's first television commercial, for Foot Locker,
quickly followed, as did a plethora of modeling jobs.
This dazzling beauty has graced the covers of several
sports magazines, including "Shape," "Triathlete,"
and "Muscle & Fitness." It wasn't long
before Dunning had over 60 commercials to her credit,
including a Ford spot set to the appropriate tune of
"Pretty Woman."
But it was Dunning's three-year campaign for Taco Bell
as Louise, the "Run for the Border Girl,"
which brought her to America's attention. With all this
TV time, it's no surprise that Dunning made the transition
to acting.
Her first role was on the HBO series "Dream on,"
directed by John Landis. Dunning has also guest-starred
on USA's "Silk Stalkings" and serves as host
of ESPN's "Extreme Bloopers." Other television
credits include guest appearances on HBO's "Tales
from the Crypt," "Who's The Boss?," "Herman's
Head," "Knots Landing," and "Married
... with Children." She has also participated in
the CBS special "Circus of the Stars," performing
in the flying trapeze act, and has been the reigning
champion of the American Gladiators Celebrity Challenge
two years running.
In addition to her roles on television, Dunning is
also a big star on the Worldwide Web. Since October
1995, Internet users have downloaded her images an astounding
650,495 times, earning her the crown of "Queen
of Cyberspace."
Dunning is married to Olympic gold-medalist Steve Timmons,
owner of Red Sand, a popular line of casual clothing
based in Encinitas, CA. Their first child, Spencer Schae
Timmons, was born on December 2, 1996.
Dunning counts skiing, roller skating, golf, hiking,
swimming, and tennis among her favorite sports. She
also enjoys spending time with her two dogs: Charlie,
a miniature schnauzer, and Roxie, a boxer.