Debra Winger, 67, once shared the screen with some of Hollywood’s most desirable leading men, garnering envy from many. Today, she remains as stunning as ever. Over the past few years, Winger has been active on Instagram, sharing photos of herself transitioning from brown hair to a natural wavy gray.
Winger’s breakthrough came with her starring role in the 1976 film “Slumber Party ’57,” followed by a stint on the popular TV series “Wonder Woman” (1979), where she portrayed Drusilla, the younger sister of Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. Despite being asked to appear more frequently, Winger declined, wary of being typecast.
Her decision proved fruitful as the early ’80s marked a prosperous period for the budding star. At the pinnacle of her career, Winger received acclaim from the Academy Awards and Golden Globes for her performances in three iconic films of the 1980s.
In “Urban Cowboy” (1980), she starred alongside John Travolta, followed by “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982), and “Terms of Endearment” (1983), where she portrayed Emma, a terminally ill young woman with an overbearing mother played by Shirley MacLaine.
Despite her immense success, Winger took a brief hiatus from Hollywood, sparking decades-long speculation about her departure.
Many rumors suggest that Winger clashed with her co-stars, particularly Richard Gere. According to excerpts from Louis Gossett Jr.’s book “An Actor and a Gentleman,” Winger and Gere’s on-screen chemistry didn’t translate off-screen. Gossett claimed they maintained a considerable distance from each other when the cameras stopped rolling. Winger allegedly criticized Gere’s acting, referring to him as “a brick wall,” and had similar sentiments toward the film’s director, Taylor Hackford, whom she dubbed “animal.”
However, it wasn’t just individuals on that film set who rubbed her the wrong way.
Winger, known for her free-spirited nature both on and off-screen, found herself at odds with the seasoned veteran, MacLaine, during their time together on set. Their initial encounter set the tone for their relationship.
MacLaine reminisced in an interview with People, recalling how their starkly different attire—MacLaine in extravagant fur coats and Winger in combat boots and a miniskirt—highlighted their contrasting personas.
The tension between the two actresses became the talk of Hollywood, with rumors swirling about clashes over top billing and even physical altercations. Their rivalry reached its peak when both were nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, with MacLaine ultimately taking home the trophy and boldly proclaiming, “I deserve this!” in her acceptance speech.
Despite the rumors, Winger maintains that her hiatus from Hollywood was a personal choice rather than a professional one. She explained to People that she was seeking roles that would challenge her and opted to focus on her personal life, including her marriage to actor Arliss Howard and raising their children.
Winger made a comeback with the 2001 film “Big Bad Love,” directed and produced by her husband, Arliss Howard, and continued to build momentum with roles in various films, including “Rachel Getting Married” (2008), “The Lovers” (2017), and “Kajillionaire” (2020).
In 2021, she appeared in “With/In,” the second volume of an anthological drama film, starring in a segment titled “Her Own,” which was written and directed by her husband, Arliss Howard, who also co-starred alongside her.
Debra Winger expressed her detachment from the glamour of Hollywood, stating, “I don’t know what Hollywood is. I’m living under the freaking sign now, and I just stare at it and laugh. Los Angeles is a place, but the idea of Hollywood doesn’t really exist for me,” She humorously added, “…although there must be some in-crowds that I just don’t know about.”
Despite her ambivalence towards Hollywood’s glitz and glamour, Winger remains an integral part of the industry, and fans eagerly await the day she receives an Academy Award. What are your favorite Debra Winger movies?
