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

Began modeling at age 14

TV debut on the series, "The Yellow Rose"

First significant role, playing Kelly Capwell on the NBC daytime soap, "Santa Barbara"; earned three Daytime Emmy nominations

Feature film debut, "Hollywood Vice Squad"

First leading role in a feature film, as Buttercup, in Rob Reiner's "The Princess Bride"

First onscreen pairing with Sean Penn, "State of Grace"

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

Cast as Jenny, the love interest to Tom Hanks' "Forrest Gump"; earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations for Best Supporting Actress

Directed by Penn in "The Crossing Guard"

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

Earned acclaim for her leading role in "She's So Lovely"; again collaborated with Penn; earned Best Actress SAG and Independent Spirit Award nominations

Re-teamed again with husband, Penn as part of the ensemble of "Hurlyburly"

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

Played Bruce Willis' wife in 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"

Co-starred with Colin farrell in the feature adaptation of Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "A Home at the End of the World"

Played the mother of a teenage girl who believes she is carrying the child of God in "Virgin"

Cast as the mother of Ed Harris's character in the HBO movie "Empire Falls"; based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Richard Russo; garnered a SAG nomination for Best Actress

Cast in Rodrigo García's ensemble "Nine Lives"; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Supporting Female

Cast in Jeff Stanzler's "post-9/11 drama, "Sorry, Haters"; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Female Lead

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

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

Co-starred with Dakota Fanning in Deborah Kampmeier's controversial drama "Hounddog"

Played Ben Affleck's estranged wife in the political thriller, "State of Play"