Debbie was born on September 5, 1956, in suburban Arcadia of Los Angeles. From the age of only 6 months old Debbie was in numerous commercials and television shows. She also did some print modelling. She grew up in a showbiz family and her parents were both naturalized citizens from Manitoba, Canada, who moved to California in the early 50s. She has two older sisters, Michele who works as a commercial and television actress in Utah and Patricia who has appeared in a few films and television series. She also has a younger brother Kel who doesn’t act. She tested for The Sound of Music (1965) on Feb 7, 1964, and the producers thought she was so adorable and signed her on almost immediately.

After graduating from college in California she worked in a ski resort where she met her husband Rick Larson. They married in 1980. She became a skier and in college Debbie was the west coast ski racing champion. She’s currently living in a suburb of Minnesota and has four daughters, Brooke, Jamie, Angela and Kate. She is a freelance floral designer and owns an upscale wedding, floral and wreath business called ‘The Vinery’. She designs collectible Santa Claus Dolls which can be purchased online through her web-site.