- Esteemed humanitarian and gentlemensperson – Richard Gere marks his 75th anniversary.
Richard Gere, constantly under the public gaze, has had moments where his life seemingly plays out before him, as the renowned actor mentioned recently. "Observing yourself in a film is like witnessing your whole existence," said the man with the distinctive grey hair at this year's Cannes Film Festival. "Receiving an award at a film festival and they project a montage of my movies, it's a peculiar sensation to see your life condensed into two minutes. I see the characters, yet I also see myself. I was the person acting out those characters. It's a peculiar experience to be an actor." At 75, Gere has reflected on numerous decades of his professional journey.
The financial incentive, not the narrative, drew Gere to "Pretty Woman." Though his charm no longer holds the same potent allure as before, his fans now associate him with more than just seduction and the radiant eyes of the once titled "Sexiest Man Alive." The man who collaborated with "Pretty Woman" Julia Roberts and garnered a Golden Globe for his role in "Chicago" has also made a name for himself as a compassionate humanitarian – and even shares a friendship with the Dalai Lama.
Numerous tales have emerged concerning Gere's childhood: Richard Tiffany Gere emerged in Philadelphia in 1949. Raised on a farm as the offspring of an insurance salesman and a housewife, he was the shyest among his five siblings. Gere pursued philosophy, but the allure of the theatre eventually pulled him in.
He first tasted success in the London production of the musical "Grease." A portrayal of a homosexual in a German concentration camp in Martin Sherman's drama "Bent" earned him comparisons to the young Marlon Brando. Gere ultimately ascended to Hollywood stardom in 1980 with "American Gigolo." The film "An Officer and a Gentleman" further propelled his career. Following a series of missteps, he regained audience favor in 1990 by playing a corrupt cop in "Internal Affairs." Gere initially opted for "Pretty Woman" with Julia Roberts solely for the paycheck, as he confessed in an interview. However, he developed a fondness for the story during filming.
Gere has shared screen space with many distinguished Hollywood actresses. This includes partnering with Kim Basinger in "Final Analysis" (1992) or Jodie Foster in the Southern epic "Sommersby" (1993). "Primal Fear" showcased him as a prominent defense attorney who manipulates a young psychopath's case into a media spectacle.
As a gifted defense attorney in the musical "Chicago," he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in 2003. Some critics consider "Arbitrage" (2012) his finest performance to date – a thriller centered around money and greed.
Gere finally tied the knot with actress and model Cindy Crawford when he was over 40. After their separation four years later, he cohabited with former Bond girl Carey Lowell. The couple, who share a son, parted ways as well. Presently, Gere is in a relationship with Spanish actress Alejandra Silva and has two sons with her. Yet, when it comes to personal matters, he chooses to remain private. He has invariably safeguarded the names of his children.
In his later years, Gere has made a name for himself as a philanthropist. A portion of his earnings is channeled towards the Richard Gere Foundation, which supports humanitarian projects globally. Another source of fulfillment for the superstar has been his faith. Gere embraced Buddhism many years ago, which has also forged a close friendship with the Dalai Lama, whom he occasionally joins on stage during lectures.
On stage and undoubtedly, in front of the camera, we can expect Gere to continue gracing us for some time. If he follows his father's footsteps, who lived until 101 years old, he should remain active. He admits in Cannes, "I see myself as an older version of myself. It's strange when filming the process of aging, seeing my own reflections in certain years – assuming I live as long as my father. That's quite an extraordinary thing."
In his philanthropic pursuits, Richard Gere often collaborates with notable figures, such as the Dalai Lama, whom he shares a stage with during lectures. Despite living in Chicago, Gere frequently travels to attend film festivals and events, including the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
