Debra Winger was born on May 16, 1955, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, into an Orthodox Jewish family. Her father, Robert Winger, worked as a meat packer, while her mother, Ruth (née Felder), was an office manager23. Winger moved to Southern California at the age of six, where she later graduated from high school two years early4.

After high school, Winger briefly attended California State University, Northridge, where she studied criminology and sociology24. In 1972, she left the United States to live on a kibbutz in Israel, an experience that she later described as a typical youth tour rather than military training with the Israel Defense Forces, as she had previously implied123.

At the age of 18, Winger was involved in a severe car accident upon her return to the U.S., which resulted in a cerebral hemorrhage. She was left partially paralyzed and blind for ten months, with doctors initially telling her she might never see again23. During this period of recovery, Winger decided that if she regained her health, she would pursue a career in acting, leading her to move to California and eventually break into Hollywood23.

Debra Winger's breakthrough role came with the 1980 film Urban Cowboy, where she starred opposite John Travolta. The film, directed by James Bridges, is set in the vibrant honky-tonk scene of Houston, Texas, and revolves around the tumultuous love story between Bud Davis (Travolta) and Sissy (Winger)1. Winger's portrayal of Sissy, a strong-willed and independent woman, garnered critical acclaim and established her as a significant talent in Hollywood1.

Urban Cowboy was not only a commercial success, grossing $53.3 million against a $10 million budget, but it also had a substantial cultural impact5. The film's success spurred a mainstream revival of country music and popularized the "Urban Cowboy" movement, which blended traditional cowboy culture with modern urban life5. The soundtrack, featuring hits like "Lookin' for Love" by Johnny Lee and "Stand by Me" by Mickey Gilley, became immensely popular and contributed to the film's lasting legacy45.

Winger's performance in Urban Cowboy was pivotal in her career, leading to more prominent roles in the following years. Her chemistry with Travolta and her ability to bring depth to her character were widely praised, making her a household name and a sought-after actress in the 1980s13.

Debra Winger's career includes several high-profile films that have cemented her status as one of the most talented American film actresses. Her role in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) earned her first Academy Award nomination, while her performance in Terms of Endearment (1983) garnered a second nomination and a National Society of Film Critics Award123. In Shadowlands (1993), Winger received her third Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA nomination123. Despite a hiatus in the mid-1990s, she returned with Big Bad Love (2001), which she co-produced, and later earned critical acclaim for her role in Rachel Getting Married (2008)4. Winger's versatility extends to television, where she earned an Emmy nomination for Dawn Anna (2005) and appeared in series like In Treatment (2008) and The Ranch (2016)4. Her career, marked by both commercial hits and independent films, reflects her enduring impact on the film community.