Fans around the world dreamed of being the breathtaking Debra Winger when Naval Officer Zack Mayo, played by the dashing Richard Gere, swept factory worker Paula off her feet and carried her out of her workplace in one of the most iconic romantic moments in film history.

For those who love classic love stories, the unforgettable scene from An Officer and a Gentleman set a high bar for romance. Gere, looking impeccable in his navy whites as Officer Zack Mayo, embodied the very essence of a swoon-worthy hero. It was the kind of scene that made audiences believe in the magic of love, and many envied Winger for being the woman in his arms.

Throughout her career, Debra Winger shared the screen with some of Hollywood’s most handsome and talented leading men. Even today, at 69, she remains as captivating as ever. Over the years, Winger has shared glimpses of her life on Instagram, initially showcasing her signature brown locks before later embracing a strikingly elegant look with wavy gray hair. Her timeless beauty and undeniable presence continue to captivate fans who admire her talent and charisma.

Winger’s journey in Hollywood began with her first major role in the 1976 film Slumber Party ’57. However, it was her portrayal of Drusilla, the younger sister of Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in the popular Wonder Woman TV series (1979), that brought her early recognition. Despite being offered more episodes, she declined, fearing that the role would limit her career and lead to typecasting.

Her decision proved to be a wise one, as the early 1980s saw her career flourish with an impressive string of successes. At the height of her young career, she starred in several films that not only cemented her place in Hollywood but also earned her multiple Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

One of her earliest breakout roles came in Urban Cowboy (1980), where she starred opposite John Travolta. At the time, Travolta was one of the biggest heartthrobs in Hollywood, having skyrocketed to fame with Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978). Winger’s performance alongside him showcased her remarkable talent and further solidified her reputation as a leading lady.

However, it was her role as Paula in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) that made her a household name. The film was an enormous success, and her chemistry with Richard Gere left audiences mesmerized. A year later, she took on an emotionally intense role in Terms of Endearment (1983), where she played Emma, a young woman battling a terminal illness while navigating a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother, Aurora, portrayed by Shirley MacLaine. The film became an instant classic, earning critical acclaim and winning the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Despite her immense success, Winger took an unexpected break from acting, leading to endless speculation about her reasons for stepping away from the spotlight. Decades later, rumors about what prompted her decision still circulate.

Much of the speculation centers on Winger’s alleged conflicts with her co-stars. While fans adored the onscreen romance between her and Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman, behind the scenes, their dynamic was reportedly far less romantic.

Louis Gossett Jr., who portrayed Sgt. Emil Foley in the film, shed light on the tension in his book An Actor and a Gentleman. According to Gossett, while Winger and Gere’s onscreen chemistry was electric, their relationship off-camera was anything but harmonious. He noted that they kept their distance from each other whenever the cameras weren’t rolling. Winger reportedly had a low opinion of Gere’s acting abilities, even referring to him as “a brick wall.” Her criticisms didn’t stop there—she also had strong words for the film’s director, Taylor Hackford, whom she allegedly described as an “animal.”

But An Officer and a Gentleman wasn’t the only film where tensions ran high. Winger also had a famously tumultuous relationship with her Terms of Endearment co-star, Shirley MacLaine. The contrast between the two actresses was stark—MacLaine was a seasoned, glamorous Hollywood veteran, while Winger had a more free-spirited and unconventional approach to her craft. Their initial meeting set the stage for what would become one of Hollywood’s most infamous rivalries.

MacLaine later recounted their first encounter in an interview with People magazine, recalling how she arrived on set draped in extravagant fur coats as part of her character’s persona. Meanwhile, Winger showed up in a miniskirt and combat boots, prompting MacLaine to think, “Oh my goodness.”

As filming progressed, their relationship grew even more strained. People magazine described the set as the birthplace of some of Hollywood’s most talked-about rumors. Allegedly, Winger sought top billing over MacLaine, and some reports even suggested that their disagreements escalated into physical altercations. When both actresses received Oscar nominations for Best Actress, their rivalry reached a climax. Ultimately, MacLaine took home the award, delivering a victory speech that included the memorable line, “I deserve this!”

Despite the rumors surrounding her professional relationships, Winger has always maintained that her departure from Hollywood was motivated by personal reasons rather than conflicts on set.

“I wasn’t interested in the roles being offered to me at the time,” she explained to People. “I had either already felt that or had already done it. I needed a challenge. My life outside of acting was more challenging than the roles I was getting, so I threw myself into that.”

Following her role in the 1995 romantic comedy Forget Paris, where she starred alongside Billy Crystal, Winger took a six-year hiatus from acting. During this time, she relocated to New York City and shifted her focus to her personal life. In 1996, she married actor Arliss Howard. The couple welcomed their son, Gideon Babe, in 1997, and Winger also became a stepmother to Howard’s son, Sam, from a previous marriage. She had another son, Noah Hutton, from her first marriage to actor Timothy Hutton, which lasted from 1986 to 1990.

Winger eventually returned to the industry, though at a more selective pace. She reunited with her husband in the 2001 film Big Bad Love, which he directed and co-starred in alongside her and Rosanna Arquette. The following year, she became the subject of the 2002 documentary Searching for Debra Winger, directed by Arquette. The film explored the reasons behind Winger’s temporary departure from Hollywood and delved into the broader challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry.

Her later career choices demonstrated her commitment to taking on meaningful, well-crafted roles rather than simply chasing mainstream success. In 2008, she appeared in Rachel Getting Married, where she starred opposite Anne Hathaway. More recently, she had notable roles in the romantic comedy The Lovers (2017) and the crime-comedy Kajillionaire (2020), proving that her talent and presence remained as compelling as ever.

In 2021, she appeared in With/In, Volume Two, an anthology drama film. Her husband, Arliss Howard, not only co-starred but also wrote and directed the segment in which she featured. Winger continues to take on roles that align with her artistic values, choosing projects that inspire her rather than succumbing to Hollywood’s pressures.

Reflecting on her career, Winger has expressed a sense of detachment from the traditional Hollywood scene. “I have no idea what Hollywood is anymore,” she admitted. “Now that I’m literally living under the Hollywood sign, I just laugh when I look at it. Los Angeles is a place, but the idea of Hollywood doesn’t really exist for me.”

Despite her selective approach to acting, fans continue to hold out hope that she will receive the Academy Award recognition she so richly deserves. Her body of work, from Urban Cowboy to An Officer and a Gentleman to Terms of Endearment, remains a testament to her incredible talent and versatility.

As we celebrate Debra Winger’s enduring legacy, we can’t help but wonder—what is your favorite Debra Winger film? Let us know as we continue to appreciate one of Hollywood’s most remarkable actresses.