Debra Winger and Shirley MacLaine's Tumultuous Hollywood Feud Unveiled
In 2018, Debra Winger shed light on her turbulent relationship with Shirley MacLaine on “Watch What Happens with Andy Cohen.”
During a session of “Plead the Fifth,” Cohen posed three personal questions to Winger, of which she answered two.
Referring to Winger mentioning MacLaine in her book, Cohen remarked, only to be swiftly corrected by Winger who retorted, “No!
I didn't write about her.
She wrote about me!
Let's straighten this out.
It's tough out here for a chimp.”
However, MacLaine was not the sole actor entangled in conflicts with Winger.
In a 2002 interview with The Guardian, Winger disclosed the strained dynamic between her and Richard Gere during the filming of the 1982 romantic drama, “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
Reflecting on their past tensions, Winger shared, “The only comments that ever made it to print were those that caused a stir.
I often bump into Richard Gere, and he half-jokingly asks, ‘Are you still spreading negative rumors about me?'
We experienced a rough patch, but everyone must view it in context.”
In an article chronicling Winger's retreat from the limelight, The Guardian quoted the actress lamenting, “I was branded as ‘difficult'.”
Expressing the industry's impact on self-perception, Winger mused, “The entertainment world can mold us into neurotic beings fixated on public opinion and hearsay.
We are defined by our reputation and external judgments.
While I believed I avoided falling into that trap frequently, evidently, I succumbed.”
Presently, Winger immerses herself in portraying Ruth Corman on the television series “Mr.
Corman.”
Debra Winger and Shirley MacLaine Engage in On-Set Rivalry
Throughout her Hollywood tenure, Debra Winger accrued three Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and clinched the National Film Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for her role in “Terms of Endearment.”
Despite her accolades, the behind-the-scenes rapport with co-star Shirley MacLaine was tumultuous.
Us Weekly reported that Winger and MacLaine clashed off-camera.
Notably, when MacLaine triumphed over Winger at the 1984 Academy Awards, she vocally asserted, “This win is rightfully mine!”
Within her 1995 autobiography, “My Lucky Stars,” MacLaine recounted a confrontation where Winger instructed her to approach and hit her mark.
Describing the episode, MacLaine narrated, “‘I acknowledged your instruction,' I responded.
‘I possess the acumen to identify my designated spot.'”
Winger's retort reportedly involved a provocative action towards MacLaine, encapsulating the hostility between the actresses.
Furthermore, Debra Winger faced discord with Richard Gere
In 2018, Debra Winger revisited her clashes with Shirley MacLaine on “Watch What Happens with Andy Cohen.”
Amid a segment of “Plead the Fifth,” Cohen probed Winger with three personal inquiries, prompting her to address her interactions with MacLaine.
Disputing claims of mentioning MacLaine in her book, Winger emphatically clarified, “No!
I did not depict her.
She penned content about me!
Let's rectify this misinterpretation.
Navigating this environment is arduous.”
Nonetheless, MacLaine wasn't the lone figure embroiled in disputes with Winger.
In a 2002 conversation with The Guardian, Winger divulged the strain between her and Richard Gere while collaborating on “An Officer and a Gentleman” in 1982.
Reflecting on the past friction, Winger remarked, “Only select remarks surfaced publicly, causing a stir.
I frequently encounter Richard Gere, and he jests, ‘Are you persisting with disparaging remarks about me?'
We traversed a challenging phase, requiring a broader perspective.”
In an exposé detailing Winger's retreat from the Hollywood scene, The Guardian relayed the actress's sentiments: “I garnered a reputation for being ‘challenging'.”
Elaborating on industry-induced anxieties, Winger pondered, “The showbiz realm possesses the capacity to instigate neuroses concerning public portrayal and hearsay.
Our identity hinges on perceptions and evaluations by others.
While I presumed I evaded this pitfall routinely, evidently, I succumbed.”
Presently, Winger immerses herself in portraying Ruth Corman on the television series “Mr.
Corman.”
