Award-Winning Film, Television & Theater Producer; Founder of Martin Chase Productions; Producer of "The Princess Diaries" & "Harriet"

New York, NY, USA
Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Debra Martin Chase Biography

Debra Martin Chase is an American film, television, and theater producer recognized for her contributions to the entertainment industry and for expanding opportunities for Black women in Hollywood. Martin Chase graduated from Mount Holyoke College with honors and earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Before entering the entertainment sector, she practiced law at major law firms and Fortune 500 companies in New York City and Houston. She transitioned to film by joining the Columbia Pictures training program, eventually establishing herself as a leading producer.

Martin Chase led Denzel Washington's production company, Mundy Lane Entertainment, producing films such as "The Pelican Brief," "Devil in a Blue Dress," "The Preacher's Wife," "Courage Under Fire," and the Academy Award-nominated documentary "Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream." She became the first Black woman to produce a film that grossed over $100 million with "Courage Under Fire." Martin Chase later served as executive vice president of Whitney Houston's Brown House Productions, producing the Emmy-nominated television musical "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" and "The Princess Diaries."

Martin Chase founded Martin Chase Productions, which was initially affiliated with Disney, making her the first African American female producer to secure a deal with a major studio. She has produced several multi-film franchises, including "The Princess Diaries," "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," and "The Cheetah Girls," as well as "Sparkle," "Just Wright," and "Harriet," a biopic about abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Her films have collectively grossed over half a billion dollars at the box office.

Through a multi-year agreement with Universal Television, Martin Chase produces the CBS series "The Equalizer," starring Queen Latifah. She also collaborated with Lena Waithe's Hillman Grad production company on the documentary "Being Mary Tyler Moore," directed by James Adolphus, which explores Moore's impact on television and the feminist movement. On Broadway, Martin Chase co-produced the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "A Strange Loop" with Marc Platt, which received Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book. She also produced the Broadway revival of Suzan-Lori Parks' "Topdog/Underdog," which won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.

Martin Chase co-produced the original musical "The Outsiders," based on the novel by S.E. Hinton and the film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which won multiple Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director of a Musical. She also co-produced "Illinoise," which was nominated for Best Musical and won the Tony Award for Best Choreography. Her work has been recognized with two Tony Awards, a Peabody Award, and a Critics Choice Award, and has received nominations for Academy, Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, Producers Guild, BET, and NAACP Image Awards. Martin Chase is also a public speaker, sharing her experiences and insights with audiences nationwide and encouraging the next generation of storytellers to pursue careers in film, television, and theater.

BOOK Debra Martin Chase

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/30/2026.

Debra Martin Chase Speaking Topics

  • Dreams Do Come True

  • It's OK to Be a Good Girl

Read More +

Debra Martin Chase Videos

Debra Martin Chase l "Good Morning America"

Debra Martin Chase l "Good Morning America"

Debra Martin Chase talks about her impact in Hollywood.

Debra Martin Chase - Gettysburg College Commencement Address

Debra Martin Chase - Gettysburg College Commencement Address

AT&T The Bridge's #knowthis with Debra Martin Chase

AT&T The Bridge's #knowthis with Debra Martin Chase

Legendary film and television producer Debra Martin Chase speaks on the difference between confidence and arrogance.

  • How do I book Debra Martin Chase to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Debra Martin Chase for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Debra Martin Chase, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Debra Martin Chase or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Debra Martin Chase

    Speaking fees for Debra Martin Chase, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Debra Martin Chase are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Debra Martin Chase, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Debra Martin Chase speak about?

  • Where does Debra Martin Chase travel from?

    Debra Martin Chase generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Debra Martin Chase’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Debra Martin Chase for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Debra Martin Chase for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Debra Martin Chase or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Debra Martin Chase is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Dreams Do Come True, It's OK to Be a Good Girl and Ethics & Values in Your Life. The estimated speaking fee range to book Debra Martin Chase for your event is available upon request. Debra Martin Chase generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Shonda Rhimes, Cynthia Erivo, dream hampton, Lena Waithe and Janet Mock. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Debra Martin Chase for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP