Richard Gere

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18 Feb 2024

Richard Gere

Richard Tiffany Gere, born on August 31, 1949, is an American actor known for his work in film. He began his acting career in the 1970s, appearing in movies such as "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" (1977) and "Days of Heaven" (1978), where he played supporting and starring roles, respectively. However, he rose to prominence with his leading role in "American Gigolo" (1980), which not only established him as a leading man but also as a sex symbol.
Throughout his career, Gere has appeared in a variety of films, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Some of his notable works include "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982), "The Cotton Club" (1984), "Pretty Woman" (1990), "Sommersby" (1993), "Primal Fear" (1996), "Runaway Bride" (1999), "I'm Not There" (2007), "Arbitrage" (2012), and "Norman" (2016).
One of Gere's acclaimed performances was in the musical "Chicago" (2002), where he portrayed the character Billy Flynn. This role earned him a Golden Globe Award.
Overall, Richard Gere's career has spanned decades, and he is recognized for his contributions to the film industry as a talented and versatile actor.

Richard Gere was born in Philadelphia on August 31, 1949, as the eldest son and second child of Doris Ann Gere (née Tiffany), a homemaker, and Homer George Gere, an NMIC insurance agent. His father initially planned to pursue a career as a minister. Gere was raised in the Methodist faith in Syracuse, New York.
His paternal great-grandfather, George Lane Gere, altered the spelling of their surname from "Geer." An ancestor named George, an Englishman from Heavitree, England, settled in the Connecticut Colony in 1638. Both of Gere's parents were descendants of Mayflower passengers, including Pilgrims such as John Billington, William Brewster, Francis Eaton, Francis Cooke, Degory Priest, George Soule, and Richard Warren.
In 1967, Gere graduated from North Syracuse Central High School, where he demonstrated excellence in gymnastics and music, and played the trumpet. He received a gymnastics scholarship and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in philosophy. However, he left after two years without completing his degree.

Richard Gere's acting career began in the late 1960s when he worked at the Seattle Repertory Theatre and the Provincetown Playhouse, starring in productions such as "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead." He gained early recognition with his role in the original London stage version of "Grease" in 1973. Gere also portrayed a gay Holocaust victim in the Broadway production of "Bent" in 1979, a performance that earned him a Theatre World Award.
In the mid-1970s, Gere transitioned to Hollywood films, although he faced setbacks such as being replaced in "The Lords of Flatbush" (1974) after conflicts with Sylvester Stallone. However, he found success with roles in "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" (1977) and Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven" (1978). His breakthrough came with the crime drama "American Gigolo" (1980), followed by "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982), which solidified his status as a leading man.
Throughout the 1980s, Gere starred in various films with mixed critical and commercial reception until the release of "Pretty Woman" (1990), which garnered him his second Golden Globe nomination. The 1990s saw him in successful films like "Sommersby" (1993) and "Runaway Bride" (1999). In 2002, he won a Golden Globe for his role in the musical "Chicago" and was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive."
Gere continued to deliver acclaimed performances in independent films like "Arbitrage" (2012), earning him his fourth Golden Globe nomination. He received numerous awards, including the Golden Starfish Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Career Achievement Award.
In 2016, Gere portrayed Norman Oppenheimer in "Norman," a departure from his typical roles. His performance was praised as "consistently, completely fascinating." Gere is also a skilled musician, composing music for films and learning tap dance for "Chicago" and karate for "An Officer and a Gentleman."
Despite critical acclaim, Gere has never received an Academy Award nomination, leading many to consider him one of the best actors never to have been nominated.

Richard Gere is well-known for his advocacy work, particularly for human rights in Tibet. He regularly visits Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile, and is deeply involved in organizations supporting the Tibetan cause. Gere is a co-founder of Tibet House US, the creator of the Gere Foundation, and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet. However, due to his support for Tibetan independence, he is banned from entering China.
In 1993, Gere was banned from being an Academy Award presenter after he criticized the Chinese government while announcing the nominees, highlighting his commitment to speaking out against injustice.
Gere has actively called for the boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to pressure China to address human rights issues in Tibet. He has participated in various campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness about Tibet's plight, including starring in a Free Tibet-themed commercial.
Beyond his work for Tibet, Gere supports ecological causes, AIDS awareness, and tribal peoples' rights through organizations like Survival International. He serves on the board of directors for Healing the Divide, an organization promoting peace and justice globally. Gere has also established initiatives like the AIDS Care Home in India and the Gere Foundation India Trust to support humanitarian programs in the country. Through his activism and philanthropy, Gere continues to advocate for social justice and humanitarian causes around the world.