In a timeless tale of romance, Naval Officer Zack Mayo swept factory worker Paula into his arms and carried her from her workplace, leaving fans everywhere wishing they were the beautiful Debra Winger.
The legendary scene in the romantic drama an Officer and a Gentleman–where Richard Gere played Officer Zack Mayo, the handsome hero in navy whites–became the benchmark of love stories for daydreaming fans.
Acting alongside Hollywood’s hottest men, Debra Winger was the envy of many.
Today, Winger, 67, is as beautiful as ever. In the past few years, Winger has posted photos herself on Instagram, first with brown hair and now to a natural wavy gray.
Winger’s first starring role was in the 1976 film Slumber Party ‘57, which led to a part on the hit TV series Wonder Woman (1979), where she played Drusilla, the younger sister to Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. Winger was asked to appear more often but concerned she’d be typecast by that role, she declined.
There were no regrets for that decision, the early ‘80s would be prosperous for the rising star.
At the height of her young career, she received numerous nods from the Academy and Golden Globes for performances in three iconic movies of the 1980’s.
In 1980, she starred in Urban Cowboy, with John Travolta, who at the time was driving fans wild with his smooth dance moves in Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1988); as Paula in an Officer and a Gentleman (1982) and in Terms of Endearment (1983), where she played Emma, a dying young woman with an over-bearing mother, Aurora, played by Shirley MacLaine.
Despite her huge success, Winger, carving hours from her acting schedule, took a mini Hollywood hiatus, and more than four decades after her rise to stardom, speculation of why she left is still circulating.
Most of these rumours revolve around the feuds that Winger had with her co-stars.
Though fans couldn’t get enough of the handsome Gere, it’s been widely reported that Winger had enough of him on the set.
According to an excerpt published on ABC News from the book, “An Actor and a Gentleman,” by co-star, Louis Gossett Jr., who played Sgt. Emil Foley: “The onscreen chemistry between the two of them was terrific, but it was a different story once the camera was turned off. They couldn’t have stayed farther apart from each other.”
Gossett also claims that Winger didn’t think much of Gere’s acting and wrote that she once described Gere as “a brick wall.” And, the film’s director, Taylor Hackford, whom she also did not likе, she referred to as “animal.”
It wasn’t only people on that film that ruffled her feathers.
Winger, a free spirit in real life and in her role as Emma, also clashed with the prolific MacLaine, a glamourous, eccentric and seasoned veteran.
Their first meeting set the stage for their relationship.
“To see how my character would feel I was wearing all my leftover movie-star fur coats,” MacLaine said in an interview with People. “There was Debra dressed in combat boots and a miniskirt…I thought, ‘Oh my goodness.’”
People writes, “Indeed, the set became the source of Hollywood’s most relished rumors. Winger wanted top billing. One reportedly slugged the other.”
And then, the women were pitted against each other in the Oscars when they were both nominated for best actress.
MacLaine, taking the trophy home, said in her acceptance speech, “I deserve this!”
Rumors aside, Winger insists she “pushed the pause button” on Hollywood for personal reasons and not professional.
“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 told People.
After starring in the 1995 romcom Forget Paris with Billy Crystal, Winger took a six-year break.
In that time, she moved to New York City and shifted her focus to actor Arliss Howard, whom she married in 1996. The pair have a son, Gideon Babe, who was born in 1997, and she is stepmother to Sam, Howard’s son from a previous marriage. She also has another biological child, Noah Hutton, whom she mothered while married to her first husband, Timothy Hutton (1986 to 1990).
She reappeared in the 2001 film Big Bad Love, that was directed and produced by her husband, who also co-starred alongside Winger and Rosanna Arquette, who’s next project was 2002 film Searching for Debra Winger. As director of the documentary, Arquette attempts to answer why Winger temporarily аbаndоned her career at peak performance.
Winger gained some momentum with roles in Rachel Getting Married (2008) with Anne Hathaway, the 2017 romcom The Lovers, and the crime-comedy, Kajillionaire (2020).
In 2021, she was in With/In, Volume two of the anthological drama film, in the segment Her Own, which is written and directed by her husband, who also co-stars.
“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,” Winger said, adding, “…although there must be some in-crowds that I just don’t know about.”
We can’t imagine a Hollywood without Debra Winger and we hope she soon gets to take home an Academy Award ! What are your favorite Winger movies?
New 1673
My Dad Replaced My Mom with My Best Friend – I Made Him Taste His Own Medicine
When Hannah’s Dad waltzed into her birthday party with her best friend on his arm, she was determined to make him pay. Little did he know Hannah’s plan would unexpectedly turn the tables at her graduation party.
Serious woman and birthday cake | Source: Midjourney
“Happy birthday, kiddo,” Dad said, but his words barely registered.
The room was full of balloons and banners, but everything started feeling suddenly wrong.
“What’s the fuss?” he asked, noticing people staring.
I couldn’t believe it was happening. Dad had walked into my 25th birthday party with my best friend, Jessica, as his plus one.
Older man with young woman | Source: Midjourney
“What is Jess doing with you?” I asked as soon as I recovered from the shock.
“What do you mean?” he chuckled. “We’re together, in love!”
“Are you serious? Mom is here, and everyone is watching us!”
He shrugged. “So what? I don’t care what she or anyone else feels; it’s her problem. This is MY LIFE. I want to have fun.”
Couple looking into each other’s eyes | Source: Midjourney
I glanced at Mom, standing alone with tears streaming down her face. She just turned and went inside, and I couldn’t stand that.
“If I knew you would do something like this, I would’ve never invited you!” I snapped, turning to Dad. “And you, Jess, how could you do this? You were my best friend!”
“I’m sorry, Hannah. But it sounds like a YOU problem if you can’t accept this.”
I was shocked.
“Leave!” I said. “Just get out! Both of you!”
Smug-looking woman | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, Hannah, you’re overreacting,” Dad scoffed. “It’s not like your Mom and I are together, and I brought someone new into our lives.”
“No, I’m not overreacting, Dad, and I don’t want to talk about this. You need to leave. This party is for me and Mom. And this is Mom’s house.”
“Fine, we’ll go.”
I watched as Dad walked out, and then I returned to Mom and hugged her tightly. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know they’d—”
“It’s okay, sweetie. Thank you,” was all she said.
Sad woman among party guests | Source: Midjourney
It was hard for me to believe what had happened, but all I cared about was the faces of the other guests staring at my mom in pity and disbelief. I hated the way they were looking at Mom as if she were some helpless woman.
A week passed.
One Sunday morning, Mom and I sat on the couch in her cozy living room, sipping tea.
Two cups of tea | Source: Midjourney
I loved our little sessions where it was just the two of us. Usually, we’d bake one of Grandma’s recipes, but looking at Mom’s face, I knew she was still not over what had happened.
Dad and Mom had divorced only recently, and I know Mom still missed him. So, what happened on my birthday still bothered her.
“I’m really looking forward to graduation next month, Mom,” I said, trying to lift the mood. “It’s a big milestone for me.”
Woman wearing graduation hat | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, I’m so proud of you, Hannah,” Mom smiled, her eyes shining with pride. “You’ve worked so hard for this day.
“It’s just that… seeing Jessica with your father was hard,” she suddenly said, sighing sadly. “She’ll be graduating too, right?”
I reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently.
“Yes, Mom. It was terrible. But you’re stronger than this. You deserve better.”
Sad elderly woman | Source: Midjourney
Mom looked at me, tears welling up in her eyes. “It’s just so hard, Hannah. I never expected this from Jessica. She-she was like a daughter, and now this…imagining them in bed…”
Mom broke down into tears, and I raced to her side to hug her.
“Your dad…” she sniffled. “What did he tell me when he was leaving? You’re too old, Caroline. You don’t excite me anymore. Oh, Hannah, how could he do this?”
Young woman consoling an older woman | Source: Midjourney
Mom wept into my shoulders, and I can’t tell you how it broke my heart.
“I didn’t either, Mom,” I said, trying my best to console her. “But we won’t let them hurt us anymore. You’re not alone in this. We’ll get through it together, okay?”
Mom was very disturbed after what happened at my birthday party, and I had a plan to set things right. It’s just that I couldn’t tell Mom about it right then.
Devastated elderly woman | Source: Midjourney
The following Thursday morning, I walked into the cozy café near the university, bustling with students and professionals.
The smell of coffee and chatter filled the air.
I spotted Tom at a corner table and waved.
Inside a cafe | Source: Midjourney
I remembered Tom from when I was young. He was one of Dad’s colleagues, always nice and kind. He used to visit us often, but then we moved across town, and those visits stopped. Seeing his familiar face brought back memories.
“Hi, Tom,” I said as I sat down. “It’s good to see you.”
“Wow, Hannah! You’ve grown up!” he chuckled. “It’s good to see you too. How are things?” he asked.
Young woman talking to older man at cafe | Source: Midjourney
“Busy, but exciting. Graduation is just around the corner,” I replied.
A week ago, when I contacted Tom on Facebook, I wasn’t very hopeful he would reply. But somehow, his name was the first to pop into my head, and I just gave it a try.
Luckily, he replied.
“By the way, I thought about your idea,” he said as I sipped my coffee. “I’m okay with that. Will your Mom agree?”
Woman drinking coffee | Source: Midjourney
“She will. Thanks. I appreciate all your help,” I said sincerely.
“You’re welcome, Hannah. Your mom deserves better, and so do you,” he replied.
We chatted about various things, recalling some sweet memories of when I was a little girl and Tom used to get me princess dolls. He was just the sweetest man from my childhood, and I had a brilliant plan brewing at the back of my mind.
A cute girl | Source: Midjourney
I didn’t realize how time flew by and the graduation day arrived.
I stood in Mom’s bedroom, surrounded by elegant dresses and makeup.
Mom held up a beautiful dress, and I nodded approvingly.
“I can’t believe my baby is graduating,” she said, zipping up my dress. “You look stunning, Hannah.”
Older woman helping younger woman get ready | Source: Midjourney
“Thanks, Mom. You look amazing, too. Tonight’s going to be special,” I replied, smiling.
Mom had put on a shimmering navy blue dress that hugged her figure gracefully. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she wore delicate silver jewelry that complemented her look perfectly.
“I hope your dad behaves himself tonight,” she said, wearing her earrings.
Gorgeous older woman | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t worry about him, Mom. Just focus on having a good time. Everything will be fine,” I assured her.
Mom smiled, but I could see the worry in her eyes.
I squeezed her hand. “Really, Mom. Enjoy tonight. You deserve it. I’m so happy for you.”
“I will, sweetie. Thank you,” she said, giving me a warm hug.
Mother and daughter hugging | Source: Midjourney
I looked in the mirror, adjusting my dress and makeup. “Now, I gotta leave. See you soon,” I said, grabbing my bag.
“Alright, Hannah. See you there,” Mom replied, giving me a quick kiss.
As I left the house, I took a deep breath. The plan was set, and I felt ready. I knew tonight had to be perfect, not just for me but for Mom, too. This was our night, and I wouldn’t let anything ruin it.
Woman in graduation attire standing with other graduates | Source: Midjourney
When I arrived at the graduation hall, I took one last look in the mirror and straightened my cap and gown.
The room buzzed with excitement as graduates and their families filled the seats.
I scanned the crowd and spotted Dad arriving with Jessica. They looked confident, but I knew that would change soon.
Young girl in graduation attire posing with older man | Source: Midjourney
About 15 minutes later, Mom entered the auditorium with Tom. She looked stunning, and Tom looked dapper in a suit.
Seeing them together made me smile. They waved at me, and I waved back.
I could see shock clouding Dad and Jessica’s faces when they saw Mom happy with a guy about five years younger than her!
“Thanks for making it, Tom. Mom, you look gorgeous!” I said, hugging her.
Good-looking couple | Source: Midjourney
It was then Dad’s voice cut through.
“Tom? What are you doing here?”
We turned to see him with Jessica behind him.
Tom put an arm around Mom. “Supporting a dear friend and her daughter,” he said.
Happy couple | Source: Midjourney
“Didn’t you mention he was your colleague? How did this happen?” I heard Jessica whispering to Dad, and I couldn’t help but smile because my plan was successful.
“Well, Mom and Tom have been catching up lately. They realized they have a lot in common,” I said, grinning.
Dad looked flustered. “I see,” he said. “Well, it’s… nice to see you, Tom.”
Serious-looking man | Source: Midjourney
Tom smirked slightly. “Nice to see you too, Robert. Life takes interesting turns, doesn’t it?”
As the evening went on, Mom and Tom looked genuinely happy together. They laughed and danced, looking like a perfect couple. Jessica tried to keep up appearances, but her discomfort was evident.
Dad couldn’t hide his frustration either. His eyes kept darting towards Mom and Tom, and I could see the wheels turning in his head.
Couple looking happy together | Source: Midjourney
Before leaving, Mom hugged me tightly. “Thank you for everything, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m proud of you too, Mom,” I said, smiling. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
As I watched Mom walk away with Tom, I knew Dad regretted his choices. He realized too late that he had lost the best thing in his life. I also saw he pushed Jess away when she asked him for a dance, and I laughed.
My plan to show Dad that Mom could be happy without him worked perfectly. Mom and Tom fell in love and are now together. I couldn’t be happier for her.
A happy family | Source: Midjourney
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