Deborah Walley, a multi-talented individual, was born to a family of skating stars and choreographers, Nathan and Edith Walley. Her early life was marked by her introduction to the world of skating, as she began skating with her parents at the tender age of three. However, she resisted her father's urging to continue her skating career, instead opting to pursue her passion for acting.
Walley's stage debut came at the age of 14, in a summer-stock production of "Charley's Aunt". She continued to hone her craft, eventually moving to Arizona to raise her three sons. During this time, she co-founded two children's theater companies, Pied Piper Productions and Sedona Children's Theater, with the goal of introducing live theater to disadvantaged children and teaching them the art of acting.
In addition to her work in theater, Walley also founded the Swiftwind Theater Company, where she wrote film scripts and trained American Indian actors and production-crew members. Her short film, "Legend of 'Seeks-to-Hunt-Great'", was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards, including the National Cine Golden Eagle, the Oklahoma Tribal Council Award for best fiction film, the 1991 Algrave International Video Festival best-of-festival award, and the American Indian Film Festival's best short-subject award.
Walley's passion for storytelling extended beyond film, as she also wrote children's books. Her 1993 book, "Grandfather's Good Medicine", tells the story of an Indian boy's appreciation of nature while following a mountain lion. She also wrote scripts for her own production companies, as well as for other children's films and for Disney Animation, where she provided cartoon voice-overs.
Throughout her career, Walley has demonstrated her versatility and dedication to her craft, whether on stage, screen, or page. Her legacy continues to inspire and entertain, leaving a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
