Deborah Lynn Tucker was born in Evanston, IL and grew up in the Chicago area. She competed nationally and internationally as a figure skater and was the 1985 World University Games Ladies' Bronze Medalist, before graduating from Boston University with a bachelor degree in Broadcasting and Film.

Deciding to transfer her love of performing from ice to stage and screen, she studied at the Actor's Institute in London and Oxford School of Drama, followed by a performance at the Edinburgh Festival. Six months after arriving in Hollywood she landed a series regular role on sitcom "Living Dolls" followed by a recurring role on "Dallas", enjoying back-to-back employment between comedy and drama genres.