Net Worth Ranker
What Is Debra Winger’s Net Worth?
Debra Winger, a celebrated American actress and producer, boasts a net worth of $8 million. This financial standing reflects her successful career in film and television, marked by critically acclaimed performances and notable roles in box office hits. While the exact breakdown of her assets remains private, her income is derived primarily from acting fees, production credits, and potential residuals from her extensive body of work.
Debra Winger’s Early Career and Breakthrough Roles
Debra Winger was born on May 16, 1955, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, to Robert and Ruth Winger. Her father was a meat packer, and her mother worked as an office manager. After a car accident left her partially paralyzed and blind for ten months, Winger resolved to pursue acting in California upon recovery. Her early film roles included a debut in the 1976 sexploitation film “Slumber Party ’57.” A more significant role came in 1978 with the musical disco comedy “Thank God It’s Friday.” In 1980, Winger’s performance in the romantic Western “Urban Cowboy,” alongside John Travolta, garnered her Golden Globe and National Society of Film Critics Award nominations, signaling the beginning of her rise to prominence.
Winger’s career took off in 1982 with starring roles in “Cannery Row” (opposite Nick Nolte) and “An Officer and a Gentleman” (opposite Richard Gere). “An Officer and a Gentleman” was a significant commercial success, grossing over $129 million domestically against a production budget of approximately $7.5 million. Her role in this film earned her her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, marking a pivotal moment in her career trajectory and likely leading to increased earning potential in subsequent projects. In 1983, she received her second Academy Award nomination for “Terms of Endearment,” directed by James L. Brooks. While Shirley MacLaine won the award for her performance as Winger’s mother in the film, “Terms of Endearment” itself won Best Picture, further cementing Winger’s status in Hollywood. The film grossed over $108 million against a budget of $8 million, indicating a high return on investment and increased visibility for Winger. The salaries she commanded during this peak in the 1980s significantly contributed to her overall net worth.
Debra Winger’s Film Career in the 1980s and 1990s
Throughout the late 1980s, Winger continued to star in a variety of films, including “Mike’s Murder” (1984), “Legal Eagles” (1986), “Black Widow” (1987), and “Betrayed” (1988). While box office figures for these films varied, they maintained her presence in the industry and likely contributed to her earnings. “Legal Eagles,” for example, grossed over $93 million worldwide on a budget of $40 million, proving to be a commercially viable project. In the early 1990s, Winger starred in “Everybody Wins” (1990) and “The Sheltering Sky” (1990). “The Sheltering Sky” had a production budget of $27 million and grossed over $31 million worldwide, demonstrating moderate commercial success.
In 1993, Winger starred in “A Dangerous Woman” and “Shadowlands.” For her portrayal of Joy Gresham in “Shadowlands,” she earned her third Academy Award nomination. The film, which co-starred Anthony Hopkins and had a production budget of $24 million, grossed approximately $50 million worldwide. Academy Award nominations often lead to increased visibility and potential for higher salaries in future roles. Following “Shadowlands,” Winger starred opposite Billy Crystal in the romantic comedy “Forget Paris” (1995). “Forget Paris” grossed approximately $43 million against a budget of $30 million, showcasing its moderate success at the box office. After “Forget Paris,” Winger took a hiatus from movies, which may have temporarily impacted her income stream from acting.
Debra Winger’s Return to Acting and Later Career
Debra Winger returned to acting in 2001, starring in “Big Bad Love,” directed by her husband, Arliss Howard. The film, while a personal project, may not have generated substantial revenue compared to her earlier blockbusters. In 2002, Rosanna Arquette’s documentary “Searching for Debra Winger” explored Winger’s hiatus from film and provided insights into her career choices.
Following the documentary, Winger appeared in films such as “Radio” (2003) and “Eulogy” (2004), and received acclaim for her role in “Rachel Getting Married” (2008). “Rachel Getting Married” had a limited release but was critically praised, earning Winger further recognition. The financial impact of these roles on her net worth would depend on her salary negotiations and any profit-sharing agreements. Winger’s later film credits include “Lola Versus” (2012), “Boychoir” (2014), “The Lovers” (2017), and “Kajillionaire” (2020). These films, while contributing to her body of work, may have varied in terms of financial compensation and impact on her overall net worth.
Debra Winger’s Television Career
In addition to her film work, Winger has appeared in several television productions. She debuted on television in 1976, playing Wonder Girl in “Wonder Woman.” Later, she appeared in episodes of “Szysznyk,” “Police Woman,” and “James at 16.” She returned to television in 2005 with roles in “Dawn Anna” and “Sometimes in April.” For her starring role in “Dawn Anna,” Winger received an Emmy Award nomination, highlighting her talent in the television medium. She also played Frances in the third season of the HBO series “In Treatment” (2010).
From 2016 to 2020, Winger starred as Maggie Bennett in the Netflix sitcom “The Ranch,” alongside Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, and Sam Elliott. Starring in “The Ranch” provided a steady income stream over multiple years. While the exact salary figures are not publicly available, lead roles in Netflix sitcoms generally command substantial compensation. It’s reasonable to assume her earnings from “The Ranch” significantly contributed to her net worth during that period. While working on “The Ranch,” Winger made a brief appearance as Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan in the miniseries “When We Rise,” and had a main role in the second season of the Amazon Prime Video series “Patriot.” After the conclusion of “The Ranch,” Winger played the mother of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character in the Apple TV+ series “Mr. Corman.”
Debra Winger’s Stage Acting and Other Ventures
Debra Winger has also engaged in stage acting. In 1995, she played the Wicked Witch of the West in a Lincoln Center charity production of “The Wizard of Oz.” From late 1999 to early 2000, Winger starred in the American Repertory Theater’s production of Chekhov’s “Ivanov.” She made her Broadway debut in the original production of David Mamet’s “The Anarchist” in 2012. While stage acting may not be her primary source of income, these ventures contribute to her overall profile and potentially lead to other opportunities. Specific details about her earnings from these stage productions are not publicly available.
Beyond her acting career, Debra Winger may have other investments or assets that contribute to her net worth, but details are not publicly known. It’s common for actors to diversify their income through real estate, stocks, or other business ventures. Without specific information, it’s difficult to assess the financial impact of these potential investments on her overall net worth.
Debra Winger’s Personal Life
In the late 1970s, Winger was in a relationship with actor Andrew Rubin. She later dated Nebraska governor Bob Kerrey for several years. In 1986, Winger married actor Timothy Hutton. They had a son named Noah before divorcing in 1990. Six years later, Winger married director, screenwriter, and actor Arliss Howard. The couple has a son named Babe. Divorce settlements can sometimes impact net worth, depending on the terms of the agreement.
