Another highly publicized feud was with Shirley MacLaine during Terms of Endearment. The two actresses, both known for their strong personalities, frequently clashed. MacLaine recalled in an interview that Winger showed up to their first meeting wearing a miniskirt and combat boots, a stark contrast to her own elaborate Hollywood-style wardrobe. Their tension reportedly escalated on set, leading to some of the most famous behind-the-scenes drama in Hollywood. The rivalry extended to the 1984 Academy Awards, where both actresses were nominated for Best Actress. When MacLaine won, she famously declared, “I deserve this!”—a comment many believed was directed at Winger.
Despite the rumors, Winger has always insisted that her decision to step away from Hollywood was personal rather than professional. She told People magazine, “I wasn’t interested in the upcoming parts. I had either already felt that or had already done it. I needed a challenge. My life challenged me more than my career did.”
Following her role in Forget Paris (1995) with Billy Crystal, Winger took a six-year break from acting. During this time, she moved to New York City and focused on her personal life. In 1996, she married actor Arliss Howard, becoming a stepmother to his son, Sam. The couple later had a son, Gideon Babe, in 1997. Winger also has a son, Noah Hutton, from her first marriage to Timothy Hutton (1986–1990).
Her return to film was gradual but impactful. She starred in Big Bad Love (2001), directed by her husband, Arliss Howard, and later appeared in the documentary Searching for Debra Winger (2002), directed by Rosanna Arquette, which explored why Winger left Hollywood at the peak of her career. More recently, she has gained momentum with roles in Rachel Getting Married (2008) alongside Anne Hathaway, The Lovers (2017), and the crime-comedy Kajillionaire (2020). In 2021, she starred in With/In: Volume Two, an anthology drama co-written and directed by her husband.
Although Winger has returned to acting, she remains largely detached from the Hollywood scene. She once remarked, “I have no idea what Hollywood is. Now that I’m living under the freaking sign, I just chuckle while staring at it. Los Angeles is a place, but the idea of Hollywood doesn’t really exist for me.”
While she may never fully reclaim the spotlight she once commanded, Winger’s legacy as one of Hollywood’s most talented actresses remains intact. Fans still hope that she will one day win an Academy Award, proving that true talent never fades. Which of Debra Winger’s films is your favorite?
