It was her role of Drusilla, Wonder Woman’s younger sister in the popular 1️⃣9️⃣7️⃣9️⃣ series that catapulted her to stardom! 🤩👏 Since then, she has won the hearts of large audiences! 💘🤭 However, her career was full of clashes with co-stars!🙄😬 Did you know that she didn’t see eye-to-eye with Gere during the filming of «An Officer and A Gentleman»? 🫤😳 Let’s shed light on her journey to stardom far from being ordinary in this article together!👇
Debra Winger’s name instantly brings to mind her iconic roles from the 1980s, where she won the hearts of audiences worldwide. In one of her most famous scenes from the 1982 hit An Officer and a Gentleman, she captured the essence of romance as Paula, in a tender moment with Richard Gere’s Zack Mayo. Their on-screen chemistry became a symbol of love for generations of viewers.
Despite her radiant beauty and undeniable talent, Winger’s journey in Hollywood has been anything but ordinary. Even now, at 69, she remains a striking figure, embracing her natural beauty with a fresh look—once sporting brown hair, now showing off her graceful, wavy gray locks. It’s clear that Debra has always made her own rules, and that hasn’t changed.
Her journey began in 1976 when she first stepped into the spotlight in Slumber Party ’57. This led to her role as Drusilla, Wonder Woman’s younger sister, in the 1979 TV series Wonder Woman. Despite her rising fame, she turned down more frequent appearances on the show, afraid of being locked into a single role. That choice was proven to be wise as the 1980s opened up a wealth of opportunities for Winger.
By the early ‘80s, Winger was a rising star, receiving critical acclaim for her roles in Urban Cowboy (1980), An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), and Terms of Endearment (1983), where she portrayed Emma, a young woman struggling with terminal illness. For her performances, Winger earned Academy Award nominations and Golden Globe recognition, becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
Despite her professional success, Winger’s path wasn’t without its struggles. The actress became known for her clashes with co-stars. It was widely reported that she didn’t see eye-to-eye with Richard Gere during the filming of An Officer and a Gentleman. In an excerpt from An Actor and a Gentleman by Louis Gossett Jr., it was revealed that their chemistry on screen was far from mirrored off-screen. Winger was critical of Gere’s acting, describing him as “a brick wall.”
But it wasn’t just Gere who caused tension. Winger’s working relationship with Shirley MacLaine, her co-star in Terms of Endearment, was also rocky. MacLaine recalled Winger’s casual, offbeat style clashing with her glamorous movie-star image. And when each actress was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, the rivalry intensified, with MacLaine walking away with the trophy and delivering a pointed acceptance speech: “I deserve this!”
Despite the gossip surrounding her professional life, Winger maintains that her decision to take a break from Hollywood was personal, not the result of any backstage drama. “The roles that were coming weren’t inspiring me. I’d already done those things. I needed something more,” she shared in an interview with People. After starring in Forget Paris (1995), she took a six-year hiatus to focus on her family.
In 1996, Winger married actor Arliss Howard, and together they raised a son, Gideon, born in 1997. Winger stepped into the role of a mother figure to Howard’s son as well, and has another biological son, Noah Hutton, from her previous marriage.
Winger’s return to the screen came in 2001 with the film Big Bad Love, which was directed by her husband. Her career trajectory took another turn with roles in Rachel Getting Married (2008), The Lovers (2017), and Kajillionaire (2020). She continued her creative journey with the 2021 film With/In, directed by Arliss Howard.
Through it all, Winger’s approach to fame has been refreshingly unconventional. In a 2017 interview with Harpers Bazaar, she shared her perspective on the elusive Hollywood system: “Hollywood is a mystery to me. I live right under the famous sign now, and all I can do is laugh as I stare at it.” She has always stayed true to herself, finding contentment and fulfillment outside the glitzy world of Tinseltown.
Debra Winger’s journey in Hollywood has been anything but typical, yet it is this authenticity that has allowed her to remain relevant and revered. At 69, she continues to inspire, not just with her on-screen performances, but with her strong, independent spirit that refuses to be molded by external pressures.
