In the 1980s, Debra Winger was one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, a striking actress known for her captivating performances and undeniable on-screen presence. At the peak of her career, she earned three Academy Award nominations and worked alongside some of the most desirable leading men in Hollywood. However, despite her immense success, she gradually faded from the public eye, leaving many fans wondering what had happened to the actress who once seemed destined for legendary status. Now, at 67, she has embraced a quieter life, and her transformation over the years has made her almost unrecognizable to those who followed her career in its prime.

For many moviegoers, Winger was the ultimate leading lady, setting the standard for romance films with her unforgettable role as Paula in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982). The film’s iconic final scene, where Richard Gere’s character, Naval Officer Zack Mayo, lifts Paula into his arms and carries her away from her job, became a defining moment in cinematic history. Fans swooned over the romantic fantasy, and Winger became an actress many envied for starring alongside some of Hollywood’s most handsome leading men.

Her rise to fame began in the late 1970s when she played Drusilla, the younger sister of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in the hit TV series Wonder Woman (1979). However, Winger turned down further appearances, fearing she would be typecast. Her instincts proved right, as she soon landed major film roles that propelled her into Hollywood’s elite.

During the early 1980s, she became one of the most sought-after actresses. She starred in Urban Cowboy (1980) alongside John Travolta, who was still riding the wave of his Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978) success. Her career-defining role in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) followed, and just a year later, she delivered a powerhouse performance as Emma, a terminally ill young woman dealing with her overbearing mother (played by Shirley MacLaine) in Terms of Endearment (1983). The latter earned her another Academy Award nomination, solidifying her reputation as a serious actress.

Despite her immense success, Winger shocked many by stepping away from acting, fueling decades of speculation about her sudden disappearance from Hollywood. While some believed she voluntarily took a break, others blamed behind-the-scenes conflicts for her departure.

One of the most widely discussed rumors revolved around her strained relationship with Richard Gere during the filming of An Officer and a Gentleman. According to their co-star Louis Gossett Jr., while their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, their off-screen relationship was tense. Gossett detailed in his memoir An Actor and a Gentleman that Winger found Gere uninspiring and even described him as “a brick wall.” She also reportedly had issues with director Taylor Hackford, whom she allegedly referred to as an “animal.”

Another infamous feud was with Shirley MacLaine while filming Terms of Endearment. The two actresses clashed frequently due to their strong personalities. MacLaine once recalled that Winger arrived on set in a miniskirt and combat boots, a stark contrast to her own more traditional Hollywood glam attire. Their rivalry reportedly escalated, even leading to physical altercations. When both actresses were nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, the tension only grew. When MacLaine won, she famously declared, “I deserve this!”—a comment many believed was aimed at Winger.

Despite the speculation, Winger has consistently maintained that her decision to step away from Hollywood was personal. In an interview with People, she explained, “I wasn’t interested in the upcoming parts. I had either already felt that or had already done it. I needed a challenge. My life challenged me more than my career did.”

After starring in Forget Paris (1995) with Billy Crystal, Winger took a six-year hiatus from acting. During this time, she moved to New York City, where she focused on her personal life. In 1996, she married actor Arliss Howard, becoming a stepmother to his son, Sam. The couple later had a son together, Gideon Babe, in 1997. Winger also has another son, Noah Hutton, from her first marriage to Timothy Hutton (1986–1990).

Although many thought her Hollywood career was over, Winger made a gradual return. She starred in Big Bad Love (2001), a film directed by her husband, and later became the subject of the documentary Searching for Debra Winger (2002), directed by Rosanna Arquette, which explored why Winger had stepped away from the limelight. She continued to gain momentum with roles in Rachel Getting Married (2008) alongside Anne Hathaway, The Lovers (2017), and the crime-comedy Kajillionaire (2020). In 2021, she appeared in With/In: Volume Two, an anthology film co-written and directed by her husband.

While Winger has returned to acting, she remains distant from Hollywood’s social scene. She once remarked, “I have no idea what Hollywood is. Now that I’m living under the freaking sign, I just chuckle while staring at it. Los Angeles is a place, but the idea of Hollywood doesn’t really exist for me.”

Though she may never return to the height of her 1980s stardom, Winger’s legacy as one of Hollywood’s finest actresses remains intact. Fans continue to hope she will one day win an Academy Award, proving that true talent never fades. Which of Debra Winger’s films is your favorite?