if statement behaving differently inside function

Alright, so I need to make a simple hangman game for python. and I'm having problems with my function and variables. Guessing and replacing "blanks" works when I try a simple if loop, but once I put everything into a proper function it gives me issues.

For example, when a word has more than 1 instance of a letter it shows both while trying the if loop outside the function, but using the function it only shows 1. I deleted my old program and restarted anew, but I'm still having trouble with this function (which is extra maddening). Before I was getting issues with it updating starCopy and attempts as well. Having this much trouble with such a simple program is kinda bumming me out. :\

Here's the loop that works while outside the function:

import random
#declare variables
guess="a"
choice="barnyard"
starredUp=len(choice) * "*"
starCopy=starredUp
attemptedLetters=[]
running=True
attempts=0

if guess in choice:
    starCopy=list(starCopy)
    for i, x in enumerate(choice):
        if x == guess:
            starCopy[i]=guess
            print(" ".join(starCopy));
            print("Letter in word! " + "Wrong Attempts: " + str(attempts))

Returns * * r * * * r * Letter in word! Wrong Attempts: 0

Now, when I try calling the function:

def guessMan(guess, choice, attempts, starCopy):
    if guess in choice:
        starCopy=list(starCopy)
        for i, x in enumerate(choice):
            if x == guess:
                starCopy[i]=guess
                print(" ".join(starCopy))
                print("Letter in word! " + "Wrong Attempts: " + str(attempts))
                return(starCopy)
    elif guess not in choice:
          attempts+=1
          print("yo fix it")
    elif guess in attemptedLetters:
          print("already guessed")
guessMan("r", choice, attempts, starCopy)

it returns:

* * r * * * * *
Letter in word! Wrong Attempts: 0

Honestly not sure why I'm hitting such a brick wall with this. Feel like I'm missing something super simple.