Fans worldwide were captivated as Naval Officer Zack Mayo swept factory worker Paula into his arms, whisking her away from her job in the timeless love story “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
In this romantic classic, Richard Gere’s portrayal of Officer Zack Mayo set a standard for love stories, making the moment iconic. Co-starring alongside the most attractive men in Hollywood, Debra Winger, now 67, became the envy of many.
Transitioning gracefully through the years, Winger remains stunning, sharing her journey on Instagram, from brown hair to her current natural wavy gray.
Winger made her cinematic debut in 1976, appearing as Drusilla, the younger sister of Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, in “Slumber Party ’57.” This paved the way for her role in the popular TV series “Wonder Woman” in 1979. Despite offers for more appearances, Winger declined, fearing typecasting.
Her decision proved wise as she achieved success in the early 1980s, earning multiple Academy and Golden Globe nominations for her roles in three influential films.
In “Urban Cowboy” (1980), she starred alongside John Travolta during his captivating performances in “Grease” (1978) and “Saturday Night Fever” (1977). Winger also appeared in “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982) as Paula and in “Terms of Endearment” (1983) as Emma, a young woman facing terminal illness, alongside Shirley MacLaine.
Despite tremendous success, Winger took a brief hiatus from acting. Even now, rumors about her departure from Hollywood circulate.
Rumors often revolve around conflicts between Winger and her co-stars, including Richard Gere. Although their onscreen chemistry was remarkable, offscreen tensions were apparent. Winger’s clashes weren’t limited to male co-stars; she also clashed with Shirley MacLaine, leading to one of Hollywood’s most infamous feuds.
Despite the rumors, Winger maintains that she left Hollywood for personal, not professional, reasons. After a hiatus, she focused on family, marriage to actor Arliss Howard, and roles in films like “Forget Paris” (1995) and “Rachel Getting Married” (2008).
Winger’s journey continued with roles in “The Lovers” (2017), “Rachel Getting Married” (2008), and “Kajillionaire” (2020). She explored her decision to leave Hollywood in the documentary “Searching for Debra Winger” (2002) and continued her career with projects like “With/In, Volume 2” (2021).
“I have no idea what Hollywood is,” Winger remarked. “I just laugh and look at it from where I am now. Hollywood is a place, but I don’t think of it as such.”
We can’t imagine Hollywood without Debra Winger, and we eagerly anticipate her future endeavors! What are your favorite Winger movies?
