The Meaning of Debra Winger's Return

CBS News recently interviewed acclaimed and notoriously absent actress Debra Winger about her return to acting. Winger was a huge star in the late 70's and 80's but up and vanished, so significantly that fellow actress Roseanna Arquette made the documentary Searching for Debra Winger, ostensibly about Debra Winger's absence from Hollywood but more poignantly about the lack of good roles for older women in Hollywood.

Does Winger's return mean that there are now more good opportunities for women of Winger's talent and vintage? We certainly think so. And it's about damn time. Too often women 40 years and older have been shunned by Hollywood, offered only roles as neurotic mothers, spurned housewives and other otherwise useless characters.

When asked by CBS if she thinks there are good roles available to her, Winger responded, "I do know that I have experienced 10 years of, you know, meeting women that have compelling stories to tell within other people's films. And, you know, I hope I get the chance to bring it the way that I look and the way that I am. I'm not sure that I will get that, you know? It just remains to be seen."

Is that what Debra Winger's return means? That she sees a chance that Hollywood will start bringing real women's stories to the screen? We hope that's the case, and think that increased attention paid to older women by the media and the public certainly suggests its time.

With Halle Berry now the Sexiest Woman Alive and Winger back in the groove, it's been a good week for older Hollywood actresses!

We wish Debra nothing but good luck. We've missed her and are glad to have her back!