Richard Gere

About

Richard Gere is an esteemed American actor who was born on August 31, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He rose to prominence in the 1980s starting with his breakthrough role in "American Gigolo" (1980). Gere is known for his versatility in roles, ranging from romantic leads in "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982) and "Pretty Woman" (1990) to more dramatic roles like "Primal Fear" (1996) and "Chicago" (2002). He earned a Golden Globe for his performance in "Chicago." Known for his commitment to humanitarian causes, Gere is also a prominent activist for issues such as human rights in Tibet.

Associated With

Richard Gere is a well-known American actor and activist who has been affiliated with several notable figures in the entertainment industry. Early in his career, he worked with renowned director Terrence Malick in "Days of Heaven". In 1990, he starred opposite Julia Roberts in the commercial hit "Pretty Woman". One of his most notable collaborations was with filmmaker Adrian Lyne in the steamy thriller "Unfaithful". In terms of romance, Gere was married to supermodel Cindy Crawford in the early 1990s and actress Carey Lowell in the 2000s. Currently, he's married to Spanish activist Alejandra Silva. He has also collaborated with Jennifer Lopez in "Shall We Dance" and worked with Edward Norton in "Primal Fear". Off-screen, Gere is a co-founder of the Tibet House and frequently collaborates with the Dalai Lama on humanitarian causes.

Career Highlights

• 1975: Richard Gere makes his acting debut in "Report to the Commissioner."
• 1977: Gere gains attention with significant roles in "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" and "The Choirboys."
• 1980: Achieves leading man status in Hollywood with memorable roles in "American Gigolo."
• 1982: Receives acclaim for portraying a homosexual concentration camp prisoner in "Bent."
• 1990: Stars in the blockbuster romantic comedy "Pretty Woman" alongside Julia Roberts.
• 1992: Earning praise for his work in the thriller "Final Analysis."
• 1996: Gere gains critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his role in "Primal Fear."
• 1997: Stars in "Red Corner," where his performance garnered him his first Satellite Award for Best Actor.
• 1999: Receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 2000: Won the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast for "Traffic."
• 2002: Gere's portrayal of Billy Flynn in the film adaptation of "Chicago" earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
• 2006: Received Lifetime Achievement Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.
• 2013: He was bestowed with the prestigious Golden Globe Cecil B. deMille Award.
• 2017: Gere's performance in "Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer" was highly praised, earning him several nominations including Best Actor at the Satellite Awards.
• 2019: Won the Career Achievement Award at the Hollywood Film Awards.

Notable Awards

• Richard Gere has indeed won several awards during his career:
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for "Chicago" in 2003.
• Career Achievement Award at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2012.
• Lifetime Achievement Award at the Transilvania International Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, and Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2015, 2017, and 2018, respectively.
• Honorary Award at the Rome Film Festival in 2018.
• Outstanding Artistic Contribution at the Cairo International Film Festival in 2019.
• Taormina Arte Award at the Taormina Film Festival in 2014.
• Peter J. Owens Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 2018.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Richard Gere Movie/TV Show?

One of the most popular movies of Richard Gere's extensive career is "Pretty Woman." Released in 1990, this romantic comedy film continues to be a classic among audiences internationally. Gere played the leading role of Edward Lewis, a wealthy businessman who fell in love with Vivian Ward, a sex worker played by Julia Roberts. The film was a huge box office success and established him as a notable actor in Hollywood. Its charm and the compelling chemistry between Gere and Roberts make it an enduring favorite among many.

How Did Richard Gere Get Famous?

Richard Gere became famous due to his acting career in Hollywood. His breakout role was in “Looking for Mr. Goodbar” in 1977, which earned him some recognition. However, it was his role in the hit film "American Gigolo" in 1980 that truly propelled his career and established him as a leading man. Following this, his performance in several popular films like "An Officer and a Gentleman", "Pretty Woman", and "Chicago" cemented his status as a renowned actor in the industry, earning him critical acclaim and worldwide recognition.