Who is Debra Winger?

American actress Debra Lynn Winger was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio USA, on 16 May 1955, making Taurus her zodiac sign. She’s appeared in 48 TV series and movies, and is perhaps still known best for portraying the main character Emma Horton in the 1983 comedy movie “Terms of Endearment”, written and directed by James L. Brooks, and which also starred Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson. It follows Aurora who’s searching for the man of her dreams, and the movie won 32 of its 50 award nominations, including five Oscar wins, some of which for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Debra’s still today active in the movie industry, and is currently working on several upcoming projects.

Education and early life

Debra was raised in Cleveland Heights by her mother Ruth (nee Felder) who was an office manager, and father Robert Winger who was a meat packer.

Debra spent a lot of time in Israel while growing up, volunteering on a kibbutz; she also said in an interview that she’d joined the Israel Defense Forces, but in 2008 denied her own statement. She was 18 when she returned to the US and was involved in a car crash, which left her blind and partially paralyzed for nearly a year; Debra was told she might never see again, and decided that if she were to recover, she would move to Los Angeles, California and pursue acting.

She studied at James Monroe High School, matriculating in 1973.

Roles in movies

Debra’s debut film role was playing Debbie, one of the main characters in the 1976 comedy “Slumber Party ‘57”, written and directed by William A. Levey, and which also starred Janet Wood and Noelle North; it follows six members of a high school female basketball team, who’ve organized a party during which they will speak about their first sexual encounter. The remainder of the ’70s saw Debra appear in the sports drama “Special Olympics” and the musical comedy “Thank God It’s Friday” both in 1978,  and the 1979 romantic comedy “French Postcards”.

She made an uncredited appearance in the evergreen 1982 adventure family science fiction “E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial”, and the same year saw her play the main character Paula Pokrifki in the hit romantic drama “An Officer a and a Gentleman”, which Taylor Hackford directed, and which also starred David Keith and Richard Gere. It follows a man who’s trying to graduate from the Navy Officer Candidate School, and the movie won nine of its 22 award nominations, including two Oscar wins for Best Music, Original Song and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Louis Gossett Jr). Debra could then have been seen appearing in the 1984 mystery thriller “Mike’s Murder”, the 1987 crime thriller “Black Widow”, and the 1988 crime thriller “Betrayed”.

Debra had a couple of film roles in the ‘90s – the most popular amongst these was perhaps the 1993 biographical romantic drama “Shadowlands”, in which she starred alongside Anthony Hopkins and Julian Fellowes, and which was directed by Richard Attenborough. It follows the life of Christian theologian C. S. Lewis, and the movie won seven of its 21 award nominations, including Oscar nominations for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Published and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Debra).

Some of Debra’s most notable performances in the 2000s were perhaps in the 2003 biographical sports drama “Radio”, the 2005 drama “Dawn Anna”, and the 2008 romantic drama “Rachel Getting Married”.

Her three most recent film roles have been in the 2017 romantic comedy “The Lovers”, the 2020 crime comedy “Kajillionaire”, and the 2021 drama “With/In: Volume 2”.

Roles in TV series

Debra’s debut TV series role was playing Drusilla, aka Wonder Girl in three episodes of the 1976 action fantasy adventure “Wonder Woman”, and the remainder of the decade saw her appear in single episodes of the comedy “Szysznyk”, the crime action “Police Woman”, and the drama “James at 16”.

She had no roles in TV series in the ‘80s, and her next came in 1992, when cast to play the title role in the episode “A Day With Debra” of the animated adventure comedy “Sesame Street”. Debra once again had no TV series roles for several years, until cast to play Principal Woodside in the 2010 episode “Boy on Fire” of the crime mystery “Law & Order”.

In the same year, she portrayed Frances Greer in seven episodes of the critically acclaimed drama “In Treatment”, created by Rodrigo Garcia and Hagai Levi, and which starred Gabriel Byrne, Uzo Aduba and Dianne Wiest. It follows a psychotherapist who’s begun seeing his old therapist, the series aired from 2008 through 2021, and won eight of its 61 award nominations.

From 2016 through 2020, Debra played Maggie Bennett in the popular western comedy “The Ranch”, created by Jim Patterson and Don Reo, and which also starred Ashton Kutcher, Sam Elliott and Grady Lee Richmond; the series follows a professional Football Player who’s returned home to help run the family ranch; the series won three of its eight award nominations.

Debra’s since appeared in two more TV series, playing Trish McSapphire in six episodes of the 2021 crime comedy “Ultra City Smiths”, and Ruth Corman in four episodes of the 2021 comedy “Mr. Corman”.

Other credits

Debra worked as a creative consultant on the 2010 documentary movie “GasLand”.

She produced the 2001 romantic comedy movie “Big Bad Love” and the 2012 biographical documentary film “Bel Borba Aqui”.

Some of Debra’s recent talk-show appearances have been in “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen”, “The Comedy Store” and “Hollywood Insider”.

Awards and nominations

Debra’s won five of her 33 award nominations, including her three Oscar nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 1983, 1984 and 1994, for her performance in “An Officer and a Gentleman”, “Terms of Endearment” and “Shadowlands”, respectively.

Some of her wins include a 1983 ShoWest Award for Female Star of the Year, a 1984 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress, for “Terms of Endearment”, and a 1994 Tokyo International Film Festival Award for Best Actress, for “A Dangerous Woman”.

Love life and relationships

Debra’s married twice, and has been in several relationships.

She and American actor Andrew Rubin were in a relationship from 1977 through 1980, and she was then in a relationship with American politician Joseph Robert ‘Bob’ Kerrey from 1983 through 1985 – at that time, Bob was the governor of Nebraska. Debra then dated American actor Nick Nolte, who starred alongside her in the movies “Everybody Wins” and “Cannery Row”.

She married famous American actor and director Timothy Tarquin Hutton in a large ceremony in 1986, and Debra gave birth to their son Noah Hutton on 29 April 1987, but she and Timothy divorced in 1990.

Since 1996, she’s been married to her second husband, American actor, screenwriter and director Leslie Richard ‘Arliss’ Howard. Debra gave birth to their son Gideon Babe Ruth Howard on 15 June 1997, while Leslie also has a son with his former wife.

Interesting facts and hobbies

Debra was invited to portray the lead character in the 1981 action adventure movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, but declined, and the role went to Karen Allen, who starred alongside Harrison Ford in the movie which went on to become one of the highest grossing of all time. She was then also offered a starring role in the 1986 fantasy comedy movie “Peggy Sue Got Married”, but had to reject the offer because she had suffered an injury while cycling; the film also became a hit.

The main character in the 1987 romantic comedy movie “Broadcast News” was written specifically for Debra, however, she was pregnant and didn’t want to act; the character was thus portrayed by Holly Hunter, and she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance.

Her son Noah’s married to American actress, producer and director Taylor Hess.

Debra’s favorite actress is Bette Davis, while some of her favorite movies include “The Whales of August”, “A Piano for Mrs Cimino”, and “Right of Way”.

Height, eyes and wealth

Debra’s age is 67. Her eyes are blue and hair is brown, she’s 5ft 4ins (1.63m) tall and weighs around 120lbs (55kgs).

Debra’s net worth’s been estimated at over $8 million, as of April 2023.

Who was Dan Blocker?

The late American actor and Korean War veteran Bobby Dan Davis Blocker, was born in De Kalb, Texas USA, on 10 December 1928, meaning that Sagittarius was his zodiac sign. He appeared in 43 TV series and movies, and is probably still remembered best for playing the lead character Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright in the critically acclaimed western series “Bonanza”, created by Fred Hamilton and David Dortort, and which also starred Michael Landon and Lorne Greene. The series follows the lives of ranchers Ben Cartwright and his sons, it aired from 1959 through 1973, and won nine of its 25 award nominations.

People fell in love with Dan’s character, and then began recognizing him as Hoss Cartwright rather than by his real name.

Education and early life

Dan and his sister Ora Virginia Blocker were raised in De Kalb by their mother Mary Arizona (nee Davis) and father Ora ‘Shack’ Blocker; Dan rarely spoke about his family in public, because he respected their privacy.

He wasn’t interested in acting while growing up, but was rather into playing football. Dan studied at Texas Military Institute, and upon matriculating in 1946 enrolled at Hardin-Simmons University on a football scholarship. Dan transferred to Sul Ross State Teacher’s College a year later, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1950; he earned his Master’s degree in dramatic arts following his honorable discharge from the US Army.

Before acting

Dan financially supported himself by working as a bouncer and a rodeo performer while attending college.

He was drafted into the US Army upon graduation, completed his training at Folk Polk, and served as an infantry sergeant during the Korean War from December 1951 through August 1952; Dan was wounded in combat, and thus received a Purple Heart medal, and seven other medals, including the Combat Infantryman Badge, Korean War Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

Upon his return from Korea, Dan taught English language at a high school in 1953 and 1954, then taught drama at Eddy Elementary School; he and his wife moved to Los Angeles, California after Dan had won his first acting roles.

Roles in movies

Dan made his debut film appearance in the 1955 short crime comedy “Hook a Crook”, while some of his following roles were in the crime drama “The Girl in Black Stockings”, the western “Black Patch”, and the action crime adventure “Gunsight Ridge”, all released in 1957.

In 1959, he portrayed Oil Field Roughneck in the crime drama “The Young Captives”, directed by Irvin Kershner, and which starred Steven Marlo, Luana Patten and Tom Selden; it follows a psychopathic killer who’s holding a newlywed couple captive. In 1961, Dan made a cameo appearance as Hoss Cartwright in the family comedy “The Errand Boy”, and the year 1963 saw him portray Mr. Eckman in the musical comedy “Come Blow Your Horn”.

In 1968, he played Waldo Gronsky in the crime drama “Lady in Cement”, directed by Gordon Douglas, and which starred Frank Sinatra, Raquel Welch and Richard Conte; it follows detective Tony Rome who’s found a woman’s body while diving in the ocean.

Dan’s final three film roles were in the 1968 western “Something for a Lonely Man”, the 1970 western comedy “The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County”, and the historical family comedy “Swing Out, Sweet Land” in the same year.

Roles in TV series

Dan’s debut TV series role was playing Bartender in the 1957 episode “Grandfather Grandson” of the crime western “The Sheriff of Cochise”, and the remainder of the decade saw him appear in an episode of various series, including the action western “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon”, the western “Colt .45”, and the mystery comedy “The Thin Man”.

In 1958 and 1959, he portrayed Tiny Budinger in 15 episodes of the western “Cimarron City”, which starred George Montgomery, John Smith and Audrey Totter, and follows the lives of Sheriff Temple and city mayor Matthew Rockford.

Aside from “Bonanza!”, Dan had only a single TV series role in the ‘60s, portraying Horace Hewitt in the 1964 episode “The Hottest Game in Town” of the comedy “Valentine’s Day”.

His final three TV series roles were in an episode of the comedy “Pat Paulsen’s Half a Comedy Hour”, an episode of the musical “The Tim Conway Comedy Hour” and the episode “The Dan Blocker Show” of the comedy “The Red Skelton Hour”, all in 1970.

Other credits

Dan sang the song “Folsom Prison Blues” in a 1969 episode of the musical series “The Johnny Cash Show”, and the song “Ich bin der Hoss” in the 1971 episode “Bayernhalle in Munchen” of the game-show “Drei Mal Neun”.

He received special thanks (posthumously) for the 1973 crime comedy movie “The Long Goodbye”, which won two of its three award nominations.

Dan’s final talk-show appearances were in “V. I. P. – Schaukel”, “The Merv Griffin Show” and “Flip”.

Awards and nominations

Dan won a 1969 Bambi Award for TV Series International and a 1970 Western Heritage Bronze Wrangler Award for Fictional Television Drama, both for his performance in “Bonanza!”.

Love life and wife

Dan met non-celebrity American Dolphia Parker while they were both attending Sul Ross State University, and they married in 1952.

Dolphia gave birth to their twin daughters Debra Lee and Danna Lynn on 8 August 1954, and to their first son David Blocker on 4 May 1955; David’s today a movie producer. She gave birth to their second son Dennis Dirk Blocker on 31 July 1957, and he’s followed in his father’s footsteps and has become an actor, and is perhaps known best for portraying pilot Jerry Bragg in the war series “Baa Baa Black Sheep”, which aired from 1976 through 1978.

Dan didn’t speak about other women whom he’d dated, he was married to Dolphia Parker at the time of his death, and they had four children together.

Interesting facts and hobbies

The series “Bonanza” continued for one more season after Dan’s death, but was ‘by far the least popular season’.

He was a Free Methodist.

Dan was a liberal Democrat, and supported Pat Brown’s 1966 re-election campaign for governor of California.

He was a fan of performance cars, and was the owner of a 1965 Huffaker Genie MK10 and a 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle.

Dan’s mother, father and sister were buried next to him at Woodmen Cemetery in De Kalb, Texas.

Death, appearance and wealth

Dan was 43 when he died on 13 May 1972; he had suffered a pulmonary embolism which required gallbladder surgery, but a blood clot developed in his lung, causing his death. He had brown eyes and hair, was 6ft 4ins (1.93m) tall and weighed around 300lbs (140kgs).

Dan’s net worth, at the time of his death, was estimated at over $5 million.

Who is Aldis Hodge?

American actor Aldis Alexander Basil Hodge was born in Onslow County, North Carolina USA, under the zodiac sign of Virgo on 20 September 1986. He’s appeared in more than 80 TV series and movies, and is probably known best for playing Hawkman, one of the lead characters in the popular 2022 action fantasy adventure movie “Black Adam”, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, and which also starred Dwayne Johnson and Pierce Brosnan. It follows superhero Black Adam who’s been released after spending 5,000 years in captivity – the movie won one of its nine award nominations.

Education and early life

Aldis and his older brother Edwin Hodge were raised in Onslow County by their mother Yolette Evangeline Richardson and father Aldis Basil Hodge, both of whom served in the US Marine Corps; Edwin is today also a successful actor, with close to 80 credits to his name.

Aldis grew up being interested in numerous activities, and began playing both the clarinet and violin at a very early age, although he eventually focused solely on the violin. He was eight when he made his debut film appearance, playing Raymond in the critically acclaimed 1995 action adventure thriller “Die Hard with a Vengeance”, directed by John McTiernan, and which starred Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons and Samuel L. Jackson. It follows police detective John McClane as he’s protecting himself and a store owner from a German terrorist, and the movie won two of its five award nominations.

Aldis has since been active in the film industry; he eventually moved to Los Angeles, California where he attended a local high school, and from which he matriculated in 2005. He continued his education at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2009.

Roles in movies

In 1996, Aldis portrayed Prince in the romantic drama “Bed of Roses”, and his following film role came in 2000, when cast to play Basketball Teen #2 in the popular action crime comedy “Big Momma’s House”, directed by Raja Gosnell, and which starred Martin Lawrence, Nia Long and Paul Giamatti. It follows a male FBI agent who’s disguised himself as a large grandmother, and the movie won one of its 10 award nominations.

Aldis could then have been seen appearing in the 2004 crime thriller comedy “The Ladykillers”, the 2004 short comedy “The Cure for a Diseased Life” and the 2005 romantic crime drama “The Tenants”. He starred as Trevor Anderson in the 2009 action horror thriller “Red Sands”, directed by Alex Turner, and which also starred Shane West and Leonard Roberts. It follows a group of US soldiers who’ve destroyed a statue in the Middle East, and have thus freed an evil supernatural force; the film won two awards.

In 2010, Aldis starred in the short comedy “Death, Inc.”, and was then cast to appear in the 2011 short drama “A Standard Story”, the crime thriller “The East” and the action thriller “A Good Day to Die Hard” both in 2013.

The year 2016 saw him play Espin, one of the main characters in the hit crime action “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”, written and directed by Edward Zwick, and which also starred Tom Cruise and Cobie Smulders. It follows Jack Reacher who’s running from the law while simultaneously trying to uncover a conspiracy in the government; the film won an ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for Top Box Office Films.

Aldis’ three most recent film roles have been in the 2020 drama “One Night in Miami…”, the 2021 crime thriller “The Birthday Cake”, and the 2022 animated action adventure “Green Lantern: Beware My Power” (voice role); he’s currently shooting for the upcoming movies “Marmalade” and “Parallel”.

Roles in TV series

Aldis made his debut TV series appearance in the 1997 episode “Family Affair” of the comedy “Between Brothers”, and the remainder of the ’90s saw him appear in an episode or two of the mystery fantasy thriller “Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction”, the crime mystery “NYPD Blue”, and the action fantasy “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.

From 2005 through 2007, Aldis voiced the lead character King in the animated action “A. T. O. M.: Alpha Teens on Machines”, created by Ariane Desrieux and Paul-Patrick Duval, and which also starred Alli Mauzey and James Arnold Taylor. It follows the lives of five teenagers who are working for Lee Industries, testing prototype vehicles and weapons.

From 2008 through 2012, Aldis starred as Alec Hardison and several other characters in all 77 episodes of the crime mystery thriller “Leverage”, which John Rogers and Chris Downey created, and which also starred Christian Kane, Gina Bellman and Timothy Hutton. It follows a group of thieves as they’re stealing from wealthy criminals, and the series won three of its 23 award nominations.

Aldis went on to star as Noah in all the 20 episodes of the 2017 historical adventure “Underground”, and then played Jordan in 17 episodes of the historical war drama “TURN: Washington’s Spies” from 2014 through 2017.

His three most recent TV series roles have been in two episodes of the 2022 animated adventure comedy “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” (voice role), all the 26 episodes of the crime thriller “City on a Hill” from 2019 through 2022 (lead role) and eight episodes of the crime mystery thriller “Leverage: Redemption” since 2021; he’s currently shooting for the two upcoming series “Cross” and “The Forever House”.

Other credits

Aldis received special thanks for the 2015 documentary movie “Nick Saglimbeni’s Mastering Lighting: Volume One”.

He produced 16 episodes of the crime thriller series “City on a Hill”, 2021-2022,  and is the producer of the upcoming series “Cross” and the movie “Parallel”.

Some of Aldis’ recent talk-show appearances have been in “Made in Hollywood”, “The Jennifer Hudson Show”, and “The Kelly Clarkson Show”.

Awards and nominations

Aldis has won six of his 23 award nominations. Some of his wins include a 2015 Black Film Critics Circle Award for Best Ensemble, for his and his colleagues’ performance in “Straight Outta Compton”, a 2020 San Francisco Film Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance, and a 2021 Film Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award, both for his performance in “One Night in Miami”.

Love life and relationships

Aldis is yet to speak about the women, or perhaps men whom he’s dated, but his fans are convinced that they know about one woman whom he’s been with.

It’s widely believed that he was once in a relationship with American artist Harmonia Rosales from Chicago; several of Aldis’ fans have claimed that they had seen Aldis and Harmonia spending time together several times in the 2010s, but Aldis is yet to address these rumors.

He seems to be unattached as of April 2023, hasn’t married and doesn’t have children.

Interesting facts and hobbies

Aldis enjoys being active on Instagram, and has uploaded close to 800 pictures and videos onto the social media network, most of his content related to his acting career – he’s today followed by over 400,000 people.

He likes to work out at the gym in his spare time, and has five to six training sessions a week.

Aldis has been practicing martial arts since a very early age, and some of the styles which he’s studied include Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, and Shaolin Kung Fu.

One of Aldis’ favorite actors is Jean Reno, and some of his favorite movies include “Leon: The Professional”, “Man on Fire”, and “The Raid: Redemption”.

He and his brother both appeared in the movie “Die Hard with a Vengeance”.

Height, eyes and wealth

Aldis’ age is 36. He has brown eyes and black hair, is 6ft 2ins (1.86m) tall and weighs around 185lbs (84kgs).

Aldis’ net worth’s been estimated at over $10 million as of April 2023.