Actor Richard Gere turns 75 today
Marking the birthday of a movie icon
Actor Richard Gere turns 75 today
He started his movie career in the mid 70’s but only came to prominence when he portrayed male escort Julian Kaye in the 1980 iconic movie “American Gigolo” that established him as one of the most sought-after actors during the 80’s. He went on to do several major roles on movies such as “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982), “The Cotton Club (1984)”, “Pretty Woman (1990)” and Primal Fear (1996). With an active and productive career to this day, in the recent years his humanitarian work that has been praised and his political views have been more focused by the press than the movies that he stars.
One of the most successful actors not only from his generation but from all time, Richard Gere was born Richard Tiffany Gere in Philadelphia on the 31 of August 1949. Gere was raised in Syracuse, New York, in a Methodist family. He excelled academically and musically, playing several instruments, including the trumpet. Gere attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst on a gymnastics scholarship, where he studied philosophy, though he left before completing his degree to pursue acting.
Gere’s early career began on the stage. In the 1970s, he gained recognition for his performances in productions like “Grease” and “Bent,” a play about the persecution of homosexuals during the Holocaust. His role in “Bent” earned him critical acclaim and opened the doors to a career in film.
Richard Gere’s breakthrough role came in 1980 with the film “American Gigolo,” where he played the suave, mysterious Julian Kaye. The film established Gere as a leading man in Hollywood, known for his good looks and on-screen charisma. His role in “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982) further solidified his status as a major star, with the film becoming a significant box office success and earning him a Golden Globe nomination.
The 1990s brought even greater success with the romantic comedy “Pretty Woman” (1990), where he starred opposite Julia Roberts. The film became a cultural phenomenon and one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies of all time, making Gere a household name. He continued to star in a series of successful films throughout the decade, including “Sommersby” (1993), “Primal Fear” (1996), and “Runaway Bride” (1999).
In the 2000s and beyond, Gere continued to showcase his acting range. He starred in “Chicago” (2002), a musical that won the Academy Award for Best Picture, earning Gere a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. He also appeared in critically acclaimed films like “Arbitrage” (2012) and “Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer” (2016), demonstrating his ability to tackle complex and diverse roles.
Beyond acting, Gere is known for his activism and humanitarian work. He is a devoted advocate for human rights, particularly in Tibet, and has been a vocal supporter of the Dalai Lama. Gere is also involved in various causes related to AIDS awareness, ecological issues, and homelessness.
Richard Gere was married to supermodel Cindy Crawford from 1991 to 1995 and later married actress Carey Lowell, with whom he has a son. The couple divorced in 2016. In 2018, Gere married Spanish publicist Alejandra Silva, and they have two children together.
Watch one of cinema’s most iconic and emblematic scenes, the “American Gigolo” opening credits where Richard Gere, playing Julian Kaye, drives to the sound of another iconic pop culture song, “Call Me” by Blondie.
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