Richard Gere

August 31, 2025

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Richard Gere was born on August 31, 1949 in Philadelphia. He is a versatile actor, long regarded as one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood. He first appeared in stage productions in the early 1970s, followed by minor TV and film roles, and eventually the big screen on his rise to the Hollywood star he is today. His star started to rise from his supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar and again when he acted in Days of Heaven. He is also a renowned philanthropist.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Richard Tiffany Gere

Birth date:

August 31, 1949

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Virgo

Height:

5' 10"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$120 million

Background

Richard Gere is an acclaimed actor and producer. He is widely known for his role in the Academy Award-winning musical Chicago and the political drama film Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer and on the BBC studios series MotherFatherSon.

In February 2000, the Primal Fear star welcomed his first child, son Homer, with his second ex-wife, Carey Lowell. Once their marriage was over, Richard tied the knot with Spanish publicist Alejandra Silva in April 2018, and she became the mother of his two youngest kids.

While in high school, Gere played the trumpet and was active in musicals and gymnastics. He then moved on to the University of Massachusetts Amherst on a gymnastics scholarship and majored in philosophy. He, however, did not complete his university education.

In 1978, Gere was cast in Days of Heaven. He won several awards for his roles and was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival. His role in the 1990 blockbuster hit “Petty Woman” further cemented his place among the leading men in Hollywood, and he was nominated for Best Actor in the Golden Globe Awards. In 2002, he starred in Chicago, a musical film, and received a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the movie.

Besides acting, Gere appears in commercials and endorses several brands. He is also an activist and is actively involved in several philanthropic organizations. He is very passionate about the cause of native tribes worldwide and has been very vocal about the crisis in Tibet.

Career timeline

1975

The Motion Picture Debut

Gere makes his motion picture debut as Billy in the film “Report to the Commissioner.”

1977

The Hollywood Breakthrough

He receives his big break when he’s cast to play Tony in “Looking for Mr. Goodbar.”

1990

He Has Another Great Run

The movie “Pretty Woman,” is released and Gere receives a Golden Globe Award nomination for his role.

2012

He Gets Another Golden Globe Nomination

The movie “Arbitrage’” gets Gere another Golden Globe Award nomination.

2019

His Appeal on the British Scene

Gere is cast as Max Finch, a London-based newspaper owner, in the BBC 2 TV mini-series MotherFatherSon.

February 19 2023

Health Scare

Richard Gere's wife, Alejandra Gere, announces his recovery from pneumonia after a birthday trip to Mexico.

Why We Love Richard Gere

He is an activist and philanthropist
The Gere Foundation supports global humanitarian issues and became a voice for human rights issues. He is a strong advocate for issues like HIV/Aids and the crisis in Tibet.
He is anchored by his faith
Studying Philosophy at university ushered him out of his comfort zone. He started studying Buddhist beliefs and has adopted the practices.
He is not afraid to speak his mind
Gere was banned from the 1993 Oscars. This was after he spoke out against China’s occupation of Tibet.

5 Surprising Facts

He has European roots
Gere has English, and small amounts of Scots-Irish (Northern Irish), Welsh, Dutch, Scottish, and French ancestry.
Interesting Name
Not many people know that Gere's middle name is, surprisingly, Tiffany.
He was voted sexiest man alive
The reader of ‘People Magazine’ voted Gere as the sexiest man alive in 1991.
He writes his own music
In “Pretty Woman,” “Cotton Club,” and “Runaway Bride,” Gere played his own music composition.
He is Buddhist
Gere was raised as a Christian but he converted to Tibetan Buddhism 44 years ago.