FUN FEARLESS FEMALE OF THE YEAR DEBRA MESSING.

She's the gorgeous, hilarious star of the hit Will and Grace. At times, she's risked her career by putting passion above money. Flip the page to find out the other amazing reasons Debra Messing snagged Cosmo's premier prize

* Debra Messing arrives at Hidden Treasures, a rickety antiques store in Los Angeles, sporting chunky blacic boots, slim-fit slacks, a tight red silk tee that emphasizes her bralessness, and just a hint of mascara to accent her mile-long lashes and deep green eyes. Despite her superstar salary this fearless female thrives on undiscovered digs like this and feels more comfortable bartering for bargains than accepting attitude from a salesperson at Barneys.

It's obvious she hasn't brought this Cosmo reporter here in a ploy to appear down-to-earth. The owner knows her--not just because of her star status but because she's haggled with him for years over finds to fill her spacious Spanish-style Hollywood Hills home. "Hi Uzi," Debra says as she waves. "I'm Debbie, remember me?" How could he forget? Just about every American with a television knows who she is. Otherwise known as Grace Adler, the interior designer and best friend to Will Truman on NBC'S hit show Will and Grace, Debra Messing is the new queen of prime-time pratfalls and is touted as a much sexier modern-day incarnation of Lucille Ball.

Her hilarious sitcom took home the Emmy for best comedy and nabbed NBC'S coveted must-see-TV spot of Thursday night at 9 P. M. (Debra was nominated for best actress in a comedy for her riotous role.) And her personal life secured storybook status five months ago when, at 32, she married her boyfriend of nine years, Daniel Zelman, whom she affectionately calls "my everything."

With a professional and romantic resume filled with so many accolades, it's no wonder she's Cosmo's Fun Fearless Female of the Year.

ALMOST FAME-OUS

Debra was born in Brooklyn but moved to rural Rhode Island when she was 3 years old with her older brother Brett and their parents. There wasn't much happening in her sleepy town, so Debra's escape was performing--she took dance, theater, and singing lessons. "I remember watching the television show Fame and wanting to dance on top of a taxi," she says, throwing her arms wide open as if she's imagining herself bounding from the hood of a cab in a split-leg leap. Although she desperately wanted to go to the school the show was based on, the High School for the Performing Arts in New York City, her parents said no.