In the 1980s, Debra Winger was one of Hollywood’s most striking and promising stars. During her heyday, she received three Academy Award nominations and starred in some of the most iconic films of the decade. However, after a meteoric rise to fame, she faded into obscurity, leaving fans wondering what happened to the actress who once captivated audiences. Now, at 67, she has embraced a quieter life, one far removed from the limelight, making her almost unrecognizable to those who followed her early career.

For many moviegoers, Debra Winger was the epitome of romantic fantasy. The unforgettable scene in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), where Richard Gere’s Naval Officer Zack Mayo lifts factory worker Paula into his arms and carries her away, became one of the most cherished moments in film history. It set the standard for romance dramas, making Winger a household name and fueling envy among fans who admired her roles alongside some of Hollywood’s most attractive leading men.

But Winger’s Hollywood career started even earlier. She first gained recognition in Wonder Woman (1979), playing Drusilla, the younger sister of Diana Prince, portrayed by Lynda Carter. However, she declined additional appearances, fearing she would be typecast. It turned out to be a wise decision, as her acting career flourished in the early 1980s.

Her breakthrough roles in Urban Cowboy (1980) with John Travolta, An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), and Terms of Endearment (1983) cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses. She received multiple Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for these films, proving her undeniable talent. Despite this immense success, Winger took an unexpected step back from acting, leading to speculation about her departure from Hollywood.

Rumors swirled that Winger’s exit was due to conflicts with her co-stars and directors. It was widely reported that she clashed with Richard Gere on the set of An Officer and a Gentleman. According to co-star Louis Gossett Jr., while their on-screen chemistry was electric, their off-screen relationship was the opposite. Gossett detailed in his book An Actor and a Gentleman that Winger found Gere’s acting style unimpressive, once describing him as “a brick wall.” She also reportedly had issues with the film’s director, Taylor Hackford, whom she referred to as an “animal.”

But her difficulties weren’t limited to An Officer and a Gentleman. Winger also had a tense relationship with Shirley MacLaine while filming Terms of Endearment. Their contrasting personalities led to friction, with Winger’s free-spirited approach clashing against MacLaine’s seasoned professionalism. Their tension even sparked one of Hollywood’s most famous on-set feuds, with reports of heated confrontations and rumored physical altercations. The rivalry carried over to the Oscars, where both actresses were nominated for Best Actress. When MacLaine won, she famously declared in her acceptance speech, “I deserve this!”—a moment that many believed was a direct jab at Winger.

Despite all the speculation, Winger has always maintained that her decision to step away from Hollywood was personal rather than professional. 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. She moved to New York City, prioritizing family over fame. She married actor Arliss Howard in 1996, 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).

While many assumed her Hollywood career was over, Winger made a surprising return with the 2001 film Big Bad Love, directed by her husband, Arliss Howard. This led to more roles, including Searching for Debra Winger (2002), a documentary directed by Rosanna Arquette that explored why Winger chose to leave Hollywood at the peak of her success.

In recent years, Winger has steadily regained momentum in the industry. She starred in Rachel Getting Married (2008) alongside Anne Hathaway, and later appeared in the romantic comedy The Lovers (2017) and the crime-comedy Kajillionaire (2020). In 2021, she starred in With/In: Volume Two, an anthology drama where her husband served as writer and director.

Despite her reemergence in film, Winger remains detached from the traditional Hollywood scene. “I have no idea what Hollywood is,” she once said. “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 Winger may never return to the peak of her 1980s stardom, her talent and legacy remain undeniable. Fans still hold out hope that she will one day win an Academy Award, as she continues to prove that true artistry never fades. Which of Debra Winger’s films is your favorite?