Humanitarian and actor, Richard Gere was born on August 31, 1949, in Philadelphia. The second of five children, his father, Homer, was an insurance salesman, and his mother was Doris. Richard started early as a musician, playing a number of instruments in high school and writing music for high school productions. He graduated from North Syracuse Central High School in 1967, and won a gymnastics scholarship to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where he majored in philosophy. He left college after two years to pursue acting, landing a lead role in the London production of the rock musical "Grease" in 1973. The following year he would be in other plays, such as "Taming of the Shrew." Onscreen, he had a few roles, and gained recognition in Looking for Mr. Goodbar. Offscreen, he spent 1978 meeting Tibetans when he traveled to Nepal, where he spoke to many monks and lamas. Returning to the US, on Broadway he portrayed a concentration-camp prisoner in "Bent," for which he received the 1980 Theatre World Award. Back in Hollywood, he played the title role in American Gigolo, establishing himself as a major star; this status was reaffirmed by An Officer and a Gentleman. In the early 1980s, Richard went to Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador (amidst ongoing wars and political violence); he traveled with a doctor and visited refugee camps. It is said that he was romantically linked with lovely Brazilian painter Sylvia Martins. In 1990 Richard teamed up with Julia Roberts to star in the blockbuster Pretty Woman; his cool reserve was the perfect complement to Julia's bubbling enthusiasm. The film captured the nation's heart, and won the People's Choice award for Best Movie. Fans clamored for years for a sequel, or at least another pairing of Julia and Richard. They got their with Runaway Bride, which was a runaway success (Richard got $12 million, Julia made $17 million, the box office was $152 million, which shows what happens when you give the public what it wants!). Offscreen, Richard and Cindy Crawford got married December 12, 1991 (they were divorced in 1995). Afterwards, Richard started dating actress Carey Lowell. They had a son, Homer James Jigme Gere, on February 6, 2000. Richard was picked by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world in 1991, and as their Sexiest Man Alive in 1999. He is an accomplished pianist and music writer. Above all, Richard is a humanitarian. He's a founding member of "Tibet House," a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture. He has been an active supporter of "Survival International" for several years, a worldwide organization supporting tribal peoples, affirming their right to decide their own future and helping them protect their lives, lands and human rights (these tribes are global, including the Indians of the Amazon, the Maasai of East Africa, the Wichi of Argentina, and others). In 1994 Richard went to London to open Harrods' sale, donating his £50,000 appearance fee to Survival. He has been prominent in their charity advertising campaigns. He says, "If people lose their land, they have nothing. You lose your land, you lose your culture, you lose self." As for the duty of rich nations helping developing countries, Richard says, "This planet can't exist anymore unless all peoples are taken into account. The he suffering does not limit itself to one body; it goes through the entire body".


Unfaithful (2002): $15,000,000
The Mothman Prophecies (2002): $15,000,000
Runaway Bride (1999): $13,000,000
Intersection (1994): $7,000,000

Attended the University of Massachusetts. Dropped out to pursue acting. People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive. [1999] Was a member of the student council, gymnastics team, lacrosse team, and ski team. Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1977" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 29. [1977] Cindy Crawford and Richard were married 12 December 1991 by Rev. Wes McPherson at the Little Church of the West, Las Vegas. Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. [1991] His son, with actress Carey Lowell, Homer James Jigme Gere, was born on 6th February 2000 in New York City weighing in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces. Named his son: Homer James Jigme. "Jigme" means "fearless" in Tibetan. Is referenced in the 2001 hit song "Crying at the Discothéque" by Swedish dance group Alcazar. He trained for five months for the tap dance scene in Chicago (2002). Agreed to a small role in the HBO film And the Band Played On (1993) (TV) despite the prevalent belief in the film industry it would be detrimental to his career. Subsequently, stars like Steve Martin, Alan Alda, Phil Collins and Anjelica Huston were willing to appear. On the November 16, 2007 episode of "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" (1989) (aka "Live with Regis & Kelly"), he cleared up the fact he is not vegetarian but has not eaten red meat for 30 years. In the three films that made him a star, Days of Heaven (1978), American Gigolo (1980), and An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), his role had been turned down by John Travolta. Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals' 2006 Man of the Year For his role as Clifford Irving in The Hoax (2006), Gere shaved back his hairline, got a perm, and even altered the appearance of his nose to fit the part. Was among the guests at Tom Cruise's and Katie Holmes's wedding. He is very active in AIDS fundraising. Stepfather of Hannah Dunne.