Have you ever wished you could be swept off your feet by a dashing Naval Officer? Well, in the romantic drama An Officer and a Gentleman, Richard Gere played Officer Zack Mayo, and he did just that with factory worker Paula, portrayed by the beautiful Debra Winger. This iconic scene became the benchmark of love stories for many daydreaming fans.
Acting alongside Hollywood’s hottest leading men, Debra Winger was the envy of many. Even at 67 years old, she is as stunning as ever. Over the years, she has shared glimpses of her life on Instagram, from her brown hair to her now natural wavy gray locks.
Debra Winger’s career took off with her first starring role in the 1976 film Slumber Party ’57. She then had a part on the hit TV series Wonder Woman (1979), where she played Drusilla, the younger sister to Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. However, fearing typecasting, she chose not to appear more often on the show.
But it was in the early ’80s that Winger truly flourished. She received numerous accolades from the Academy and Golden Globes for her performances in three iconic movies of that decade. She starred alongside John Travolta in Urban Cowboy (1980), played Paula in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), and portrayed Emma, a dying young woman, in Terms of Endearment (1983), acting alongside Shirley MacLaine.
Despite her immense success, Winger decided to take a break from Hollywood. Speculation about her departure still circulates to this day. Many rumors revolve around feuds she had with her co-stars. One such rumor involved Richard Gere, her co-star in An Officer and a Gentleman. It’s been widely reported that they had a difficult working relationship. Winger even described Gere as “a brick wall.” Additionally, she did not get along with the film’s director, Taylor Hackford, whom she referred to as “animal.”
It wasn’t just the men on set who clashed with Winger. She also had a tumultuous relationship with Shirley MacLaine, her co-star in Terms of Endearment. Their differences spilled over into the public eye, with rumors of fights and a desire for top billing. Interestingly, they were both nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, with MacLaine winning the award. However, Winger insists that her decision to step away from Hollywood was not due to these conflicts but rather personal reasons.
“The parts that were coming, I wasn’t interested in. I’d already done that or I’d already felt that. I needed to be challenged. My life challenged me more than the parts, so I dove into it fully,” Winger explained.
After a break from acting, Winger returned to the screen in the 1995 romantic comedy Forget Paris with Billy Crystal. She then took a six-year break and focused on her personal life. She moved to New York City, married actor Arliss Howard in 1996, and they have a son together. In recent years, Winger has appeared in several films, including Rachel Getting Married (2008), The Lovers (2017), and Kajillionaire (2020).
Even after all these years, Winger’s talent and beauty remain captivating. She continues to impress audiences with her performances, most recently in the 2021 film With/In, directed and co-starring her husband, Arliss Howard.
Winger may have pushed the pause button on Hollywood, but she is far from forgotten. Her unique charm and talent have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. Let’s celebrate Debra Winger and hope that she soon gets the recognition she deserves with an Academy Award!
