Fans everywhere could only dream of being Debra Winger after watching the unforgettable moment in An Officer and a Gentleman when Naval Officer Zack Mayo, played by Richard Gere, swooped in and carried factory worker Paula, played by Winger, in his strong arms. This romantic moment became one of the most iconic scenes in movie history, setting the standard for love stories on screen.
Many people were envious of Debra Winger, who not only had a chance to work with one of Hollywood’s most handsome stars but also starred in some unforgettable films. When she stepped onto the screen, it was clear she was a rising star.
Even now, at 69, Debra Winger still looks stunning. Over the years, she’s shared photos of herself on Instagram, showing off her beauty, which has only grown more graceful. She first caught the public’s eye in the late ’70s. Winger played Drusilla, the younger sister of Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, in the popular Wonder Woman TV series in 1979.
This role came after her first major part in the movie Sleep Party ’57 (1976). Though she was asked to return to Wonder Woman for more appearances, Winger turned them down. She worried that the role would box her in and limit her acting opportunities.
It turned out to be a smart move. In the ’80s, Winger’s career took off. She starred in Urban Cowboy (1980) alongside John Travolta, who was at the height of his fame thanks to Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978).
In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), she played Paula, a role that would be forever tied to her name. And in Terms of Endearment (1983), she took on the challenging role of Emma, a young woman facing a terminal illness, with Shirley MacLaine playing her overbearing mother.
Winger’s performances in these films earned her several nominations for prestigious awards like the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, marking her as one of the best actresses of the ’80s. But despite her success, she took a break from acting, which sparked many rumors. People were curious why someone at the peak of their career would step away from the spotlight.
The rumors mostly focused on her conflicts with co-stars. It was said that Winger wasn’t always easy to get along with, especially on the set of An Officer and a Gentleman. Louis Gossett Jr., who played Sgt. Emil Foley in the film, later wrote about his experiences in his book An Actor and a Gentleman.
He said, “The onscreen chemistry between the two of them was terrific, but it was a different story once the camera was turned off.” He added, “They couldn’t have remained more far from one another.” Gossett also claimed that Winger didn’t think much of Richard Gere’s acting, even calling him “a brick wall” at times. He mentioned how Winger even referred to the film’s director, Taylor Hackford, as “animal.”
But the drama didn’t stop there. Winger also had a rocky relationship with her co-star Shirley MacLaine during the making of Terms of Endearment. In an interview with People, MacLaine shared how their first encounter went: “I was wearing all my leftover movie-star fur coats to see how my character would feel.
Debra was wearing a miniskirt and combat boots. Oh my goodness, I said.” The tension between the two led to what became Hollywood’s favorite rumor mill. Winger, reportedly, wanted top billing in the film, and there were even rumors of physical confrontations between the two actresses.
When both Winger and MacLaine were nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, their rivalry intensified. During MacLaine’s acceptance speech, she remarked, “I deserve this!” as she took home the award, further feeding the public’s fascination with their tense relationship.
Despite all the drama, Winger later explained that her decision to step back from Hollywood had more to do with her personal life than her work. In an interview with People, she said, “I wasn’t interested in the upcoming parts. I had either already felt that or had already done it. I required a challenge. I threw myself into it wholeheartedly because my life challenged me more than its components.”
The couple had a son, Gideon Babe, born in 1997, and Winger also became the stepmother to Howard’s son, Sam, from a previous marriage. In 2001, she worked on the film Big Bad Love, where Howard directed and produced the film.
Winger returned to acting in a big way in 2002 with Searching for Debra Winger, a documentary directed by Rosanna Arquette, which delved into the mystery behind Winger’s decision to leave Hollywood at the height of her career.
After taking a six-year break from acting following her role in the 1995 film Forget Paris with Billy Crystal, Winger moved to New York City. It was there that she focused on her personal life, including her marriage to actor Arliss Howard in 1996.
In recent years, Winger has made a strong comeback. She starred in The Lovers (2017), a romantic comedy, and played a role in the crime-comedy Kajillionaire (2020). She also appeared in Rachel Getting Married (2008) alongside Anne Hathaway, which brought her more recognition.
In 2021, Winger featured in With/In, Volume Two, an anthology film, in a segment written and directed by her husband Arliss Howard.
Reflecting on her life in Hollywood, Winger said, “I have no idea what Hollywood is. Now that I’m living under the freaking sign, I just chuckle while staring at it. Despite the fact that there may be some crowds that I am unaware of, Los Angeles is a place, but the idea of Hollywood doesn’t really exist for me.”
Debra Winger’s journey in Hollywood has been anything but ordinary, and we all hope she earns that Academy Award soon. Hollywood just wouldn’t be the same without her!
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