Debra Lynn Winger, known professionally as Debra Winger, is an American actress renowned for her emotionally rich performances in film and television.
She rose to fame with her breakout role as Sissy in Urban Cowboy (1980) and earned critical acclaim for her roles in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) and Terms of Endearment (1983), garnering three Academy Award nominations.
Known for her intense, authentic portrayals, Winger has also appeared in The Sheltering Sky (1990) and Shadowlands (1993), maintaining a selective yet impactful presence in the industry.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Debra Lynn Winger
- Stage Name: Debra Winger
- Born: 16, May 1955
- Age: 71 years old
- Birthplace: Cleveland Heights, Ohio, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actress, Producer
- Height: 1.63m
- Parents: Ruth Felder Winger, Robert Winger
- Siblings: Marla Winger, Marc Winger
- Spouse: Timothy Hutton (m. 1986-1990), Arliss Howard (m. 1996)
- Children: Noah Hutton, Gideon Babe Ruth Howard
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $8 million
Early Life and Education
Debra Lynn Winger was born on May 16, 1955, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, to Ruth Felder Winger, an office manager, and Robert Winger, a meat packer. She grew up with her sister Marla and brother Marc in a Jewish household, though she has described her upbringing as culturally Jewish rather than religious.
Winger attended Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High School and graduated from James Monroe High School in California. She briefly studied sociology at California State University, Northridge, but left to pursue acting after a serious car accident in her teens sparked a renewed focus on her career. Her ethnicity is Ashkenazi Jewish.
Career
Debra Winger began her career with small roles, including an uncredited part in Slumber Party ’57 (1976) and a stint as Wonder Girl on the TV series Wonder Woman (1976–1977). Her breakthrough came with Urban Cowboy (1980), where her portrayal of Sissy opposite John Travolta earned widespread praise and established her as a leading actress.
She followed this with An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), earning her first Oscar nomination for her role as Paula, and Terms of Endearment (1983), where her performance as Emma garnered a second Oscar nomination and solidified her reputation for raw, emotional depth.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Winger starred in critically acclaimed films like Betrayed (1988), The Sheltering Sky (1990), and Shadowlands (1993), earning a third Oscar nomination for the latter. Known for her selective approach, she took a hiatus from acting in the mid-1990s to focus on family and personal growth, later returning with roles in Forget Paris (1995) and Rachel Getting Married (2008), where her performance as Abby earned renewed praise.
Winger also ventured into producing, contributing to projects like Big Bad Love (2001), directed by her husband, Arliss Howard. Winger’s recent work includes a recurring role as Maggie in the TV series The Ranch (2016–2020) and appearances in Kajillionaire (2020) and Mr. Corman (2021).
She has also taught acting at Harvard University and remains a respected figure for her uncompromising approach to her craft. Her legacy is defined by her ability to portray complex, relatable characters and her influence on actors who value authenticity over fame, maintaining a selective yet powerful presence in the industry.
Social Media
- Instagram Handle: @wingerdebra
- Twitter Handle: @debra_winger
Personal Life
Debra Winger married actor Timothy Hutton in 1986, and they had a son, Noah Hutton, before divorcing in 1990. She married actor and director Arliss Howard in 1996, and they have a son, Gideon Babe Ruth Howard.
Winger resides in New York and is known for her private lifestyle, often retreating from the Hollywood spotlight to focus on family and intellectual pursuits. She has spoken openly about her struggles with the industry’s pressures and her commitment to mental health advocacy, influenced by her own experiences and her Jewish heritage, which shapes her worldview.
Filmography
- Slumber Party ’57 (1976)
- Wonder Woman (1976–1977)
- Urban Cowboy (1980)
- An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
- Terms of Endearment (1983)
- Legal Eagles (1986)
- Betrayed (1988)
- The Sheltering Sky (1990)
- Leap of Faith (1992)
- Shadowlands (1993)
- Forget Paris (1995)
- Big Bad Love (2001)
- Rachel Getting Married (2008)
- The Ranch (2016–2020)
- Kajillionaire (2020)
- Mr. Corman (2021)
Net Worth
Debra Winger has an estimated net worth of $8 million. Her wealth stems primarily from her acting career, with significant earnings from films like Urban Cowboy, An Officer and a Gentleman, and Terms of Endearment.
Additional income comes from her television roles, producing work, and residuals from her acclaimed filmography, reflecting her enduring impact in the entertainment industry despite her selective approach to projects.
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