Trivia: Richard Gere admitted that he really had no interest in doing An Officer and a Gentleman. He only did it because he needed money at the time.
Trivia: John Travolta was offered the part of Mayo first but turned it down to get his pilot's license. This is not the first part Travolta gave up and Richard Gere later got: he also gave up the lead in "American Gigolo" (1974). Also, Gere was originally supposed to play Danny in "Grease" (1978).
Trivia: Debra Winger did not want to be filmed in the nude scenes with Richard Gere, but had to since her contract did not include a "no nudity" clause.
Trivia: Louis Gossett Jr became the first African-American actor to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in this film.
