The Real Reason Debra Winger Quit Hollywood

Debra Winger is an American actress that has become widely known as one of the most successful actresses of the 1980s. After making several appearances alongside Lynda Carter in the 1970s Wonder Woman show, Debra became known as a sex symbol due to her performance alongside John Travolta in the 1980’s Urban Cowboy. From there, Debra became a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

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Although Urban Cowboy had allowed Debra to get the attention of the audience, it was her performance alongside Richard Gere in the 1982 romantic drama An Officer and a Gentleman that allowed Debra to get the attention of both her peers and critics. The film garnered Debra her first of several Academy Award nominations. However, it also marked the start of her numerous on-set feuds, with the actress not getting along well with Richard during filming.

Debra received her second Academy Award nomination for her performance in James L. Brook’s 1983box-office hit Terms of Endearment. However, the film also yielded a second celebrity nemesis for Debra in the form of her iconic costar, Shirley MacLaine. Soon after filming Terms of Endearment, Debra married fellow actor Timothy Hutton and became pregnant. This pregnancy forced her to turn down a role in the 1987 film Broadcast News.

Debra divorced Timothy in 1990 and continued acting for a few years before deciding to take a break from Hollywood in 1995. In 1993, she had acted alongside Anthony Hopkins in the film Shadowlands, a performance that netted the actress her third and final Academy Award nomination.

After taking a break from acting in 1995, Debra returned to Hollywood with 2001’s Big Bad Love. The film was the directorial debut of Arliss Howard, a man whom Debra married in 1996. From there, Debra has continued to sporadically appear on film and television, including a recent role in Miranda July’s Kajillionaire. That film was released in 2020 to massive critical acclaim. Join Facts Verse as we explore the real reason Debra Winger quit Hollywood.

The Real Reason Debra Winger Quit Hollywood

[SousChef]

I was born and raised in Houston. Debra is very near my age. In Urban Cowboy, it was as if she was Houston thru and thru. Loved that movie. It was a magical time. Thank you Debra.

[michelesummers]

She was really good in Black Widow with Theresa Russell, 1987.

[wall]

Debra Winger should have won the Oscar for TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. Her performance in the film was incredible. Yes, I'm going to say it, fearlessly, without apprehension, without reservation, that lady made me bawl my eyes out. Amazingly powerful, beautiful actress. Once upon a time I had such a thing for her - attention snagged in AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, but absolutely caught in her web after TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. Always, always, always, a hauntingly memorable performance.

[js]

The title of this video is, "The Real Reason Debra Winger Quit Hollywood."

Surprise ending: She didn't.

[lysanderofsparta]

"In 1996, she married a man named Arliss Howard." Oh, in case you didn't know, Arliss Howard is also an actor like Timothy Hutton.

[andrewg.sharwood]

Let's not forget how great she was in Forget Paris and Legal Eagles, opposite Billy Crystal and Robert Redford, respectively.

[beardedroofer]

That mechanical bull riding scene still gets me, thanks Debra!

[jimmyrants]

Debra Winger is great in every film she did. "Forget Paris" was also an awesome film. "Urban Cowboy", she was over the top.

[JustEye_La]

Movies used to be amazing with creative writing skills and talented ppl like Debra Winger. Urban Cowboy is a must.

[puppylov]

Debra had such a naturalness and earthiness about her. Great actress!

[gwilliams]

As a staff photographer at the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper for 29 years, I had the chance to meet and photograph Debra and her husband around the time of the release of their film. Debra is even more charming and truly lovely in person. Cameras just dont capture her true natural beauty. (and I have photographed some of the beauties of Hollywood, including the late Princess Grace, aka Grace Kelly). Cheers, I never knew she had been blind and partially paralyzed.

[artfull]

Oh WoW who could forget Debra’s sultry performance in an Officer and a Gentleman.

[sarahmeecham]

Not only did I consider her one of the most natural beauties in Hollywood, but I respected her more than most actresses. She played smart, intuitive, down to earth roles, that weren’t that common. Her deeper voice was also prettier and demanded more respect than most actresses. Also, being a brunette myself and seeing mainly blondes in the movies, I was especially grateful for her and wanted to look like her when I was in my teens and 20’s. I wouldn’t have wanted to act with Gear or Madonna either!🤢🤮

[surfviewgardens]

OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN stands out as her greatest achievement. She was wonderful in it.

[catherinelamprakes]

I love Debra winger. She is a star in true form. She can brighten up a room, make her way into your heart and leave you with a indelible print for all times. Her voice has a magic all on its own. Her classic beauty, (inside and out) is in a league on its own. (No pun intended). We love you Debra. You have a special place in my heart where no one else may enter…

[PeaceCommando]

Thank you for filling us in on this fabulously talented actress. Debra's performance in Terms of Endearment left me inspired, and I'd give anything to interview her, or at least meet her. She is an icon dedicated to her craft.

[rafaelramos]

I loved her voice and apparent innocence to her characters. Best film for me: an officer and a gentleman.

[debras]

I would love to see her in more films.

[margaretbushey]

Terms of Endearment is the movie I remember best. I love the scene where Emma is chasing Flap's tart with her little girl in the stroller and yells at her rival, "I have toddler here", to slow her down.

[vince]

I dated a girl in the early 80s that could have been her double. Wow those were crazy days, always loved Deborah. Glad she is doing good.