In the 1980s, Debra Winger was one of the most striking and promising stars in Hollywood. During her peak years, she earned three Academy Award nominations and became a household name. However, after dominating the industry, she faded from the limelight, leaving fans curious about her disappearance. Now, at 69, Winger remains captivating, though sheโs embraced a quieter life away from the spotlight.
Wingerโs rise to fame was swift, propelled by her role in the 1982 romantic drama An Officer and a Gentleman. Fans couldnโt get enough of the iconic moment when Richard Gereโs character, Naval Officer Zack Mayo, swept factory worker Paula, played by Winger, into his arms. The scene became a benchmark for romantic films, and audiences envied Wingerโs on-screen chemistry with some of Hollywoodโs most desirable leading men.
A Promising Start
Debra Wingerโs career began with a significant break in the 1976 film Slumber Party โ57, followed by her role as Drusilla, Wonder Womanโs younger sister, in the popular Wonder Woman TV series. Although she was offered the opportunity to return to the series, Winger declined, fearing the role would typecast her.
It proved to be the right choice. Wingerโs career soared in the early 1980s with a string of critically acclaimed roles. She starred opposite John Travolta in Urban Cowboy (1980), brought depth to her role as Paula in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), and portrayed Emma, a young woman facing terminal illness in Terms of Endearment (1983), alongside Shirley MacLaine.
These performances garnered Winger multiple Academy and Golden Globe nominations, cementing her status as a Hollywood A-lister. However, despite her success, tensions on set and clashes with co-stars sparked rumors that would follow her career for decades.
Behind the Scenes Drama
While Wingerโs on-screen chemistry with Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman captivated audiences, things were reportedly far from harmonious behind the scenes. Louis Gossett Jr., who played Sgt. Emil Foley in the film, later revealed in his memoir An Actor and a Gentleman that Winger and Gere barely tolerated each other. According to Gossett, Winger found Gereโs acting unremarkable and referred to him as โa brick wall.โ She also clashed with the filmโs director, Taylor Hackford, calling him โanimal.โ
Tensions werenโt limited to one project. On the set of Terms of Endearment, Winger reportedly butted heads with Shirley MacLaine. Their different personalitiesโMacLaineโs glamorous, seasoned demeanor versus Wingerโs free-spirited natureโled to well-documented friction. According to MacLaine, their relationship began with contrasting first impressions: MacLaine arrived on set in movie-star fur coats to channel her character, while Winger appeared in combat boots and a miniskirt.
The pairโs disagreements became the stuff of Hollywood legend, with rumors of heated arguments and even physical altercations. When both actresses were nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, MacLaine famously declared during her acceptance speech, โI deserve this!โ
Stepping Away from the Spotlight
Despite her success, Winger took an unexpected step back from acting in the mid-1990s. Fans and critics speculated about the reasons behind her decision, with many attributing it to her on-set conflicts. However, Winger herself offered a different explanation.
In an interview with People, she revealed, โI wasnโt interested in the parts I was being offered. I had either already done it or felt it didnโt challenge me. My life was offering more challenges than the work.โ
During her hiatus, Winger relocated to New York City and focused on her family. She married actor and filmmaker Arliss Howard in 1996 and became stepmother to his son, Sam. Together, they had a son, Gideon Babe, born in 1997. Winger also has another son, Noah, from her first marriage to actor Timothy Hutton.
Her break from Hollywood wasnโt entirely without appearances. In 2002, she participated in Rosanna Arquetteโs documentary Searching for Debra Winger, which explored why women often leave the industry at the height of their careers.
A Quiet Return
In recent years, Winger has made select appearances in film and television, showcasing her enduring talent. She earned praise for her roles in Rachel Getting Married (2008), The Lovers (2017), and Kajillionaire (2020). She also starred in With/In: Volume 2 (2021), an anthology project written and directed by her husband.
Despite living in Los Angeles, Winger remains detached from the idea of โHollywood.โ She once remarked, โI donโt even know what Hollywood is. I live under the sign and just laugh at it. For me, itโs not a real thing.โ
A Legacy of Talent
Debra Wingerโs career has been anything but conventional. From her early rise to fame to her self-imposed hiatus and quiet return, sheโs consistently followed her own path. Fans continue to admire her for her authenticity and resilience, and her performances remain timeless.
As we celebrate her journey, one can only hope that Winger receives another well-deserved Academy Award someday. Which of her iconic films is your favorite?
