Debra Winger: Biography, Age, Net Worth, and Career Highlights (2025)

Debra Winger is an acclaimed American actress renowned for her compelling performances in films such as “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Terms of Endearment,” and “Shadowlands.” With a career spanning several decades, she has earned multiple Academy Award nominations and remains a significant figure in the entertainment industry.

Mini Bio

Full Name: Debra Lynn Winger

Date of Birth: May 16, 1955

Place of Birth: Cleveland Heights, Ohio, USA

Nationality: American

Early Life and Family Background

Debra Winger was born into an Orthodox Jewish family in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Her father, Robert Jack Winger, worked as a meat packer, while her mother, Ruth (née Felder), was an office manager. At the age of five, Winger’s family relocated to California. A precocious student, she graduated from high school at 15 and pursued criminology at California State University, Northridge. A life-altering accident at 18, which left her temporarily blind and partially paralyzed, prompted her to reconsider her career path, leading her to the performing arts.

Career Beginnings and Key Milestones

Winger’s acting debut came with the 1976 film “Slumber Party ’57.” She gained early recognition portraying Drusilla (Wonder Girl) in the television series “Wonder Woman.” Her breakthrough role was in “Urban Cowboy” (1980), starring opposite John Travolta, which earned her critical acclaim. This success was followed by standout performances in “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982) and “Terms of Endearment” (1983), both of which garnered her Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.

Notable Works and Achievements

Throughout her career, Winger has delivered memorable performances in films such as “Shadowlands” (1993), earning her a third Academy Award nomination, and “A Dangerous Woman” (1993), which won her the Tokyo International Film Festival Award for Best Actress. Her television work includes a role in the Netflix series “The Ranch” (2016–2020).

Personal Life and Relationships

Winger married actor Timothy Hutton in 1986, with whom she has a son, Noah Hutton. The couple divorced in 1990. In 1996, she married actor and director Arliss Howard, and they have a son, Gideon Babe Ruth Howard.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

As of 2024, Debra Winger’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million, accumulated through her extensive acting career in film and television.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

• Winger provided the vocalizations for E.T. in the 1982 film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.”
• She took a hiatus from acting in the mid-1990s, returning to the screen in the early 2000s.

Charitable Work and Legacy

Winger has been involved in various charitable endeavors, though specific details are not widely publicized. Her legacy in the film industry is marked by her dedication to her craft and her ability to portray complex characters authentically.

Future Plans and Impact on Culture

While specific upcoming projects are not detailed, Winger’s influence on the film industry endures, inspiring actors and filmmakers with her commitment to storytelling and character development.