Born in Dallas, Texas; moved with mother when parents divorced in 1968

Raised in Southern California

Began modeling at age 14 (date approximate)

TV debut on the series, "The Yellow Rose"

First career break, playing Kelly Capwell on the NBC daytime soap opera, "Santa Barbara"; earned two Daytime Emmy nominations

First feature film, "Hollywood Vice Squad"

First film in a leading role, "The Princess Bride"

Paired onscreen with Sean Penn in "State of Grace"

Offered a strong performance as a headstrong Irish woman in "The Playboys"

Co-starred as Jenny. the love interest to Tom Hanks' "Forrest Gump"; nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress

Directed by Penn in "The Crossing Guard"

Had title role as the rollicking heroine in "Moll Flanders"

Was victim of carjacking in front of her home in May

Earned acclaim for her leading role in "She's So Lovely," co-starring Penn and John Travolta; earned SAG and Independent Spirit Award nominations for Best Actress

Reteamed again with husband as part of the ensemble of "Hurlyburly"

Starred opposite Kevin Costner as a reporter tracking down the sender of a "Message in a Bottle"

Co-starred with Bruce Willis in director M. Night Shyamalan's "Unbreakable"

Directed by husband Sean Penn in "The Pledge"

Appeared uncredited as Robert Redford's daughter in "The Last Castle"

Appeared as herself in the documentary "Searching for Debra Winger"

Joined ensemble of top female stars, including Michelle Pfeiffer and Renee Zellweger in "White Oleander"

Co-starred with Robert Downey Jr. in "The Singing Detective"

Starred opposite Colin farrell in "A Home at the End of the World" based on the novel by Michael Cunningham

Starred as the mother of a teenage girl who believes she is carrying the child of God, in the drama "Virgin"

Co-starred with Ed Harris and Helen Hunt in the HBO movie "Empire Falls" based on the novel by Richard Russo; earned a SAG nomination for Best Actress in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Cast in the ensemble "Nine Lives"; Rodrigo García directs a series of vignettes, offering glimpses into the lives of nine women; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Supporting Female

Cast in Jeff Stanzler's "Sorry, Haters" a drama set against the anxieties and fears of post-9/11 America; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Female Lead

Cast in Anthony Minghella's ensemble "Breaking and Entering"

Portrayed Queen Wealtheow in Robert Zemeckis' big-budget film version of "Beowulf"