Fans around the world have long admired Debra Winger for her iconic role in the romantic classic An Officer and a Gentleman, where she portrayed Paula, a factory worker swept into the arms of Naval Officer Zack Mayo, played by Richard Gere. This unforgettable moment, in which Mayo lifts Paula off her feet and whisks her away, became a defining scene for fans of love stories. For many, the scene became a symbol of romance, with Winger’s stunning portrayal capturing the hearts of moviegoers everywhere.
Debra Winger, still a stunning figure at 67, continues to captivate her fans, sharing glimpses of her life on social media. Over the years, Winger has posted pictures of herself on Instagram, showcasing her natural beauty—first with brown hair, and more recently, with wavy gray locks that highlight her ageless charm. Despite the passage of time, Winger remains an emblem of grace and elegance.
Winger’s journey in Hollywood began in 1976 when she made her cinematic debut in Slumber Party ’57 as Drusilla, the younger sister of Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. This led to a recurring role in the popular TV series Wonder Woman in 1979. However, Winger turned down the opportunity for a more prominent role, fearing that being typecast would limit her career. This decision turned out to be pivotal, as Winger would go on to find greater success in the 1980s, securing her place as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars.
Her career reached new heights in the early 1980s, with Winger garnering multiple Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her exceptional performances. In 1980, she starred alongside John Travolta in Urban Cowboy, a role that further solidified her status as a leading lady in Hollywood. She also gave memorable performances in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) and Terms of Endearment (1983), in which she played Emma, a young woman battling a terminal illness, alongside Shirley MacLaine. These roles showcased Winger’s incredible range and ability to bring depth and emotion to every character she portrayed.
Despite her enormous success, Winger took a brief hiatus from acting, and to this day, rumors swirl about her reasons for stepping back from Hollywood at the height of her career. Much of the speculation revolves around alleged conflicts between Winger and her co-stars, including Richard Gere and Louis Gossett Jr. While their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, Gossett Jr. claims that off-camera relations were less than cordial. In his book An Actor and a Gentleman, Gossett Jr. suggests that Winger and Gere were not particularly friendly behind the scenes, and Winger reportedly dismissed Gere’s acting performance as “a brick wall.” She also had critical words for director Taylor Hackford, referring to him as an “animal.”
In addition to her relationship with Gere, Winger also clashed with Shirley MacLaine during the filming of Terms of Endearment. MacLaine, a seasoned veteran, was reportedly put off by Winger’s more free-spirited approach to life and acting. The differences between the two women were evident when MacLaine reflected on their first encounter in a 1983 interview with People. MacLaine was wearing fur coats to embody her character, while Winger showed up in a miniskirt and combat boots, leading to a memorable moment that became the foundation for rumors about their rivalry.
The rivalry between Winger and MacLaine was further fueled when both were nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. In her acceptance speech, MacLaine famously declared, “I deserve this!” The competition between the two actresses, both in real life and in the film industry, became a part of Hollywood lore. However, despite these rumors, Winger has always maintained that her decision to step away from acting was not related to her co-stars but rather a personal choice. As she told People, “I wasn’t interested in the roles that were coming my way. I had either done it or felt it. I needed a challenge.”
After taking a six-year break, Winger returned to the screen in 1995 with the romantic comedy Forget Paris, alongside Billy Crystal. She also focused on her personal life, marrying actor Arliss Howard in 1996. The couple has one child together, Gideon Babe, born in 1998, and Winger is also a stepmother to Howard’s son, Sam. She also raised her son Noah Hutton, born in 1986, from her previous marriage to actor Timothy Hutton.
Winger’s acting career was revitalized with her roles in films like The Lovers (2017), Rachel Getting Married (2008), and Kajillionaire (2020). Rachel Getting Married starred Anne Hathaway and brought Winger much acclaim for her nuanced portrayal. In 2021, she appeared in the anthology drama With/In, Volume 2, which included a segment titled “Her Own,” directed by her husband, Arliss Howard.
Winger has remained an enigmatic figure in Hollywood, expressing her bemusement with the industry in interviews. “I have no idea what Hollywood is. Now that I’m living beneath the sign, I just giggle and stare at it,” she once said, hinting at her outsider perspective on the so-called “Hollywood lifestyle.” Despite this, she remains an integral part of the Hollywood story, with a legacy that continues to resonate with both fans and filmmakers alike.
We can’t imagine a Hollywood without Debra Winger, and fans eagerly await the day she may take home an Academy Award for her incredible work. What are your favorite Winger movies?
