Debbie Harry was first seen in the 1975 American neo-noir thriller film ‘Deadly Hero’ where she made an uncredited appearance as a singer. Following her debut, she went on to star in films like ‘Unmade Beds’ (1976), ‘The Foreigner’ (1978), ‘Union City’ (1980), ‘Roadie’ (1980), and ‘Downtown 81’ (1981). In 1983, she starred as ‘Nicki Brand’ in the Canadian science fiction body horror film ‘Videodrome’ directed by David Cronenberg. Despite opening to positive reviews, the film failed to achieve success at the box office. However, it gained a cult status in the subsequent years. She next appeared in films like ‘Wild Style’ (1983), ‘Terror in the Aisles’ (1984), ‘Forever, Lulu’ (1987). Harry played the role of ‘Velma Von Tussle’ in the 1988 American comedy film ‘Hairspray’ directed by John Waters. The film earned praise from critics but was a moderate financial success. The following year, she appeared in the American anthology film ‘New York Stories.’ The film saw positive reviews upon release.
Harry continued to star in films like ‘Tales from the Darkside: The Movie’ (1990), ‘Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme’ (1990), ‘Intimate Stranger’ (1991), ‘Body Bags’ (1993), and ‘Dead Beat’ (1994). In 1995, she starred as ‘Delores’ in the American drama film ‘Heavy’ directed by James Mangold. The film saw its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and received positive reviews from critics upon release. In 1997, she appeared in the American neo-noir crime drama film ‘Cop Land.’ The film opened to a mixed reception and was a major financial success, grossing over $63.7 million on a budget of $15 million. She continued to star in films like ‘Six Ways to Sunday’ (1997), ‘Zoo’ (1999), ‘Red Lipstick’ (2000), ‘The Fluffer’ (2001), ‘Deuces Wild’ (2002), ‘Spun’ (2002), ‘My Life Without Me’ (2003), and ‘The Tulse Luper Suitcases Part 1: The Moab Story’ (2003).
In 2006, she joined the cast of the American independent comedy-drama film ‘Full Grown Men’ directed by David Munro. The following year, she was seen in the independent psychological thriller film ‘Anamorph’ directed by Henry S. Miller. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. In 2008, she starred as ‘Amy O'Hearn’ in the American romantic drama film ‘Elegy’ directed by Isabel Coixet. The film earned praise from critics. Apart from films, Harry has also appeared in television series and shows such as ‘The Muppet Show’ (1980), ‘Saturday Night Live’ (1981), ‘Crime Story’ (1987), ‘Tales from the Darkside’ (1987), ‘Monsters’ (1991), ‘The Adventures of Pete & Pete’ (1992), ‘Phantom 2040’ (1994-1995), ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ (2002), and ‘RuPaul's Drag Race’ (2016). In 2020, she appeared in the Episode: "What Fucking Lily Girl?" of the American romantic comedy television series ‘High Fidelity.’
