The romantic drama An Officer and a Gentleman is still celebrated today as an iconic film showcasing the essence of true love—largely due to the performances of Richard Gere and Debra Winger.
Debra Winger: Still Enchanting at 69
At just 18 years old, Debra Winger experienced a devastating accident while working at an amusement park. She fell from a truck, suffering a cerebral hemorrhage that left her partially blind and paralyzed for a daunting 10 months. Against all odds, Winger triumphed over these obstacles, regaining her sight and paving her way to a successful acting career.
Winger made her film debut in 1976 with Slumber Party ‘57. She gained recognition by playing Drusilla, the younger sister to Diana Prince portrayed by Lynda Carter, in the series Wonder Woman.
1980s Stardom: Winger’s Rise to Fame
Debra Winger’s career took off in the 1980s with three crucial movie roles. She starred alongside John Travolta in Urban Cowboy (1980), whose dance moves from Saturday Night Fever and Grease made him a sensation. In 1982, she played Paula in An Officer and a Gentleman, followed by the role of Emma in the 1983 film Terms of Endearment, acting alongside Shirley MacLaine.
Despite her successful career, Winger stepped back from Hollywood for a time, sparking ongoing speculation about her reasons for taking a break.
Conflict on Set: The Alleged Rift with Richard Gere
Rumors suggest that tensions with Richard Gere might have influenced Winger’s decision to step away. As shared in Louis Gossett Jr.’s book, “An Actor and a Gentleman,” the off-screen dynamic between Winger and Gere was reportedly strained despite their on-screen chemistry. Gossett described Winger’s frustration with Gere’s approach to acting, even labeling the director Taylor Hackford as “animal.”
During the filming of Terms of Endearment, Winger’s character’s free spirit clashed with MacLaine’s more traditional role. Their relationship on set fed Hollywood’s favorite gossip mills, with rumors of Winger demanding top billing and even physical altercations.
Tensions heightened when both actresses were nominated for an Academy Award, which ultimately went to MacLaine. Upon receiving her award, MacLaine famously declared, “I deserve this!”
Debra Winger’s Personal Reasons
Winger herself has stated that her departure from Hollywood was driven by personal reasons, not professional conflicts. She felt uninspired by the roles being offered. “I needed to be challenged. My life challenged me more than the parts, so I dove into it fully,” she shared with People magazine.
After her role in the 1995 film Forget Paris, Winger took a six-year hiatus. During this time, she married actor Arliss Howard, becoming a stepmother to his child and having a son together. Winger also has a son from her previous marriage to Timothy Hutton.
Making her return in the 2001 film Big Bad Love, Winger worked alongside her husband, with whom she also produced the film. Rosanna Arquette, who appeared with Winger, subsequently directed the 2002 documentary, Searching for Debra Winger, exploring Winger’s reasons for stepping away from stardom.
Winger has continued to make an impact in cinema with notable roles in films like Rachel Getting Married (2008) with Anne Hathaway, the 2017 romantic comedy The Lovers, and the crime-comedy Kajillionaire (2020).
In reflection, Winger stated, “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 added, “…though there must be some in-crowds that I just don’t know about.”
Despite stepping away, Debra Winger remains an influential figure in film, retaining the grace and allure that captivated audiences decades ago.
