Richard Gere

Richard Tiffany Gere (born August 31, 1949) is an American actor and humanitarian. Born in Philadelphia, Gere became one of the most prominent leading men in Hollywood during the 1980s and 1990s, starring in films including Pretty Woman, An Officer and a Gentleman, and Chicago.

Early Life

Gere was born at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia to Homer George Gere, an insurance salesman, and Doris Ann, a homemaker. The family moved from Philadelphia to Syracuse, New York, when Gere was young, where he was raised.

After graduating from North Syracuse Central High School, where he excelled in gymnastics, music, and acting, Gere attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst on a gymnastics scholarship before leaving to pursue acting.

Film Career

Breakthrough

Gere's breakthrough came with Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) and Days of Heaven (1978). He achieved leading man status with:

• American Gigolo (1980)
• An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) - Commercial blockbuster

Major Films

• Pretty Woman (1990) - Romantic comedy classic with Julia Roberts
• Primal Fear (1996)
• Runaway Bride (1999)
• Chicago (2002) - Golden Globe Award for Best Actor
• Unfaithful (2002)
• Arbitrage (2012)

Style and Appeal

Gere became known for his sophisticated, romantic leading man roles. His combination of good looks, charm, and dramatic ability made him one of the most bankable stars of the 1980s and 1990s.

Activism

Gere is known for his humanitarian work, particularly:

• Longtime support for Tibet and the Dalai Lama
• Co-founder of Tibet House in New York
• AIDS awareness and activism
• Human rights advocacy

His outspoken support for Tibetan independence has led to his being banned from China and has sometimes affected his film career.

Philadelphia Connection

While Gere did not grow up in Philadelphia, his birth in the city adds him to the list of notable Philadelphians in the entertainment industry. The city's Hahnemann Hospital, where he was born, was a major medical institution until its closure in 2019.

Personal Life

Gere has been married three times and has children. He has been an active practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism since the 1980s.

See Also

• Hahnemann University Hospital
• Philadelphia Film Festival