Debra Winger, the stunning actress known for her unforgettable performances in the 1980s, continues to captivate audiences even at 67 years old. 
Many of us still dream of being in Debra Winger’s shoes, especially when she portrayed Paula, the factory worker who was swept off her feet by Naval Officer Zack Mayo in the classic love story, “An Officer and a Gentleman.” This iconic movie moment, with Richard Gere as the dashing hero in navy whites, set the standard for romantic films. 
But it wasn’t just the on-screen romance that made fans envy Winger. Throughout her career, she had the opportunity to work with some of the sexiest men in Hollywood. Today, at 67 years old, Winger still radiates beauty. From her early days with brown hair to her recent natural wavy gray look, she continues to amaze us.
Winger made her cinematic debut in 1976’s “Slumber Party ’57,” playing the role of Drusilla, the younger sister of Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. This led to a part in the popular TV series “Wonder Woman” in 1979. Although she was offered a more permanent role, Winger rejected it out of fear of being typecast.
In the early 1980s, Winger experienced tremendous success in her career. She received multiple Academy and Golden Globe nominations for her performances in three influential 1980s films. She co-starred with John Travolta in “Urban Cowboy” (1980), where she showcased her talent alongside his smooth dance moves from “Grease” (1978) and “Saturday Night Fever” (1977). Winger also appeared in “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982) as Paula, and “Terms of Endearment” (1983) as Emma, a dying young woman with an overbearing mother played by Shirley MacLaine.
Despite her enormous success, Winger decided to take a break from acting for personal reasons. Rumors about conflicts between Winger and her co-stars started circulating, adding to the intrigue surrounding her departure from Hollywood. It was said that Winger had grown tired of Richard Gere’s charm, despite fans’ undeniable adoration for him. Louis Gossett Jr., Winger’s co-star who played Sgt. Emil Foley, even wrote a book titled “An Actor and a Gentleman,” where he revealed the on-screen chemistry between Winger and Gere was remarkable, but off-camera, they kept their distance. Gossett also alleged that Winger didn’t think highly of Gere’s performance, referring to him as a “brick wall.” She didn’t hold back when it came to expressing her dislike for the movie’s director, Taylor Hackford, whom she described as an “animal.” 
It wasn’t just the male co-stars that Winger clashed with. Her relationship with Shirley MacLaine, a seasoned veteran known for her glamorous and quirky personality, was also challenging. Their first encounter set the stage for their complicated dynamic. MacLaine recalled wearing all her leftover movie-star fur coats during their first meeting, while Winger showed up in a miniskirt and combat boots. The contrast was undeniable, resulting in buzz and rumors that fueled Hollywood gossip. Winger desired the spotlight and, according to reports, the two actresses even had a physical altercation when they were both nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. In her acceptance speech, MacLaine boldly declared, “I deserve this!” 
Despite the rumors and speculations, Winger has always maintained that she took a break from Hollywood for personal reasons, unrelated to her work. She explained, “I wasn’t interested in the roles that were coming. I had already done them or felt them. I needed a challenge. I delved into my life fully because it pushed me more than any role could.” 
After a six-year hiatus, Winger returned to the screen, appearing in films like “Forget Paris” (1995) alongside Billy Crystal. During her break, she settled in New York City and focused on her personal life, marrying actor Arliss Howard in 1996. Together, they have a son named Gideon Babe, as well as Howard’s son from a previous marriage, Sam. Winger also has a second biological child, Noah Hutton, whom she raised from 1986 to 1990 during her first marriage to Timothy Hutton.
In recent years, Winger has continued to showcase her talent in notable films, including “The Lovers” (2017), “Rachel Getting Married” (2008), and “Kajillionaire” (2020). She even appeared in the 2021 anthology drama film “With/In, Volume 2,” starring in the section titled “Her Own,” directed and written by her husband.
Winger’s journey in Hollywood has been filled with both triumphs and challenges. Despite it all, she remains a timeless beauty and an unforgettable figure in the industry. As fans, we can’t imagine Hollywood without Debra Winger, and we eagerly hope to see her take home an Academy Award soon! What are your favorite Debra Winger movies?
