In a captivating story of love and destiny, Naval Officer Zack Mayo, played by the dashing Richard Gere, swept factory worker Paula off her feet and carried her out of her workplace, creating an unforgettable moment that left fans everywhere yearning to be in the shoes of the stunning Debra Winger.

The iconic scene from An Officer and a Gentleman—where Gere’s Mayo, the charming Navy officer in his crisp whites, embodies the epitome of romance—has become the gold standard for love stories, sparking daydreams and stirring hearts for generations.

Debra Winger, the stunning actress who shared the screen with some of Hollywood’s hottest men, was the object of envy for many during her prime. Now, at 69, Winger remains as radiant as ever. Recently, she’s shared glimpses of her life on Instagram, with photos showcasing her journey from rich brown locks to her current natural, wavy gray hair.

Winger’s career took off with her first starring role in the 1976 film Slumber Party ’57, which paved the way for a memorable part in the hit TV series Wonder Woman (1979). She played Drusilla, the younger sister to Lynda Carter’s iconic Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. Though offered more screen time on the series, Winger chose to decline, fearing she might become typecast—a decision she has never regretted.

The early ‘80s proved to be a breakthrough period for Winger, marking the start of a prosperous and diverse career for the rising star.

At the peak of her early career, Debra Winger earned widespread acclaim, receiving multiple nominations from the Academy and Golden Globe Awards for her standout performances in three iconic films of the 1980s.

In 1980, she starred alongside John Travolta in Urban Cowboy, at a time when Travolta’s dance moves were still fresh from Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978). She then captivated audiences as Paula in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) before taking on the emotionally charged role of Emma in Terms of Endearment (1983), where she portrayed a dying young woman struggling with her overbearing mother, Aurora, played by the legendary Shirley MacLaine.

Despite the immense success that followed her every step, Winger chose to step back from the spotlight, taking a mini hiatus from Hollywood. Even more than four decades after her meteoric rise to fame, the mystery surrounding her departure continues to spark speculation.

Much of the speculation surrounding Debra Winger’s Hollywood hiatus centers on rumored feuds with her co-stars. While fans couldn’t get enough of the magnetic Richard Gere, reports suggest that Winger grew tired of him off-screen.

According to An Actor and a Gentleman, a book by her co-star Louis Gossett Jr., who played Sgt. Emil Foley, the chemistry between Winger and Gere was undeniable on-screen, but off-camera, their relationship couldn’t have been more distant. Gossett claimed, “They couldn’t have stayed farther apart from each other.” He also revealed that Winger didn’t hold Gere’s acting in high regard, even describing him as “a brick wall.”

The tension didn’t stop there. Winger’s strained relationship with the film’s director, Taylor Hackford, was another point of contention. She reportedly referred to him as “animal,” further hinting at the behind-the-scenes discord that characterized her time on set.

But it wasn’t just her An Officer and a Gentleman co-stars who seemed to ruffle Winger’s feathers—her reputation for clashes extended beyond the film.

Debra Winger, known for her free-spirited nature both on and off-screen, found herself at odds with the glamorous, eccentric, and seasoned Shirley MacLaine during the making of Terms of Endearment. Their first encounter set the tone for their turbulent relationship.

In an interview with People, MacLaine reflected on the contrast between herself and Winger, recalling, “To see how my character would feel, I was wearing all my leftover movie-star fur coats. There was Debra dressed in combat boots and a miniskirt… I thought, ‘Oh my goodness.’” The difference in their approaches wasn’t just about style—it mirrored their contrasting personalities. As People reported, the set became a breeding ground for Hollywood rumors, with reports claiming that Winger wanted top billing and that the two women had a physical altercation.

Their rivalry intensified when both were nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, with MacLaine taking home the trophy. In her acceptance speech, MacLaine famously declared, “I deserve this!” The rumors, however, didn’t seem to affect Winger, who later explained that her decision to step back from Hollywood was driven by personal, not professional, reasons. “The parts that were coming, I wasn’t interested in. I’d already done that or I’d already felt that. I needed to be challenged. My life challenged me more than the parts, so I dove into it fully,” Winger shared with People.

After starring in the 1995 romcom Forget Paris with Billy Crystal, Winger took a six-year hiatus. During this time, she relocated to New York City, where her focus shifted to actor Arliss Howard, whom she married in 1996. The couple had a son, Gideon Babe, in 1997, and Winger became stepmother to Howard’s son, Sam, from a previous marriage. She also has a biological son, Noah Hutton, from her first marriage to Timothy Hutton (1986-1990).

Winger returned to the screen in the 2001 film Big Bad Love, directed and produced by her husband. Howard co-starred alongside her and Rosanna Arquette, who would go on to direct the 2002 documentary Searching for Debra Winger. The film sought to answer the question of why Winger walked away from her thriving career at its peak.

Debra Winger made a remarkable return to the screen with roles in Rachel Getting Married (2008) alongside Anne Hathaway, the 2017 romcom The Lovers, and the quirky crime-comedy Kajillionaire (2020). In 2021, she appeared in With/In, Volume Two of the anthological drama film, in a segment titled Her Own, which was written and directed by her husband, Arliss Howard, who also co-stars alongside her.

Reflecting on her unique relationship with Hollywood, Winger once shared, “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… although there must be some in-crowds that I just don’t know about.”

It’s hard to imagine a Hollywood without Debra Winger, and we can only hope that one day, she takes home the Academy Award she truly deserves! What are your favorite Winger movies?