Biography
Who is Richard Gere?
Early life and family
Born in Philadelphia on August 31, 1949, Richard Gere was the second child of Doris Anna Tiffany and Homer George Gere. He grew up in Syracuse, New York, where he was raised in the Methodist faith. During his time at North Syracuse Central High School, he participated in gymnastics and played the trumpet.
He eventually enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on a gymnastics scholarship to study philosophy. However, he left school after two years without graduating.
Theatre and acting debut
In 1969, he began his professional career at the Seattle Repertory Theatre and the Provincetown Playhouse on Cape Cod. His Broadway debut occurred in the 1971 rock opera Soon, which played at the Ritz Theatre. Following this, he performed in the London stage version of the musical Grease.
He gained early recognition for his work in the 1979 Broadway production of Bent, where he portrayed a gay Holocaust survivor. This performance earned him a Theatre World Award.
Career highlights
Richard Gere entered the film industry during the mid-1970s. After a brief role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, he starred in the acclaimed drama Days of Heaven, directed by Terrence Malick. His breakthrough arrived with the crime drama American Gigolo in 1980. Two years later, he starred in An Officer and a Gentleman, a film that grossed nearly 130 million dollars worldwide.
Throughout the 1990s, he appeared in successful movies such as Internal Affairs, Pretty Woman, Primal Fear, and Runaway Bride. He portrayed Billy Flynn in the 2002 film adaptation of the musical Chicago, a role that earned him a Golden Globe Award. Other well-known film credits include Sommersby, The Jackal, and Hachi: A Dog's Tale.
Activism and foundation work
Beyond his acting career, he is a dedicated human rights advocate. He supports the Tibetan Independence Movement and co-founded Tibet House US. Due to his political stance regarding China, he is prohibited from entering the country. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet. He frequently visits Dharamshala, which serves as the headquarters for the Tibetan government in exile.
His charitable efforts extend to AIDS awareness and education. He established the AIDS Care Home in India, which provides residential support for women and children affected by the disease. Through his foundation, the Gere Foundation India Trust, he funds various humanitarian programs. He also serves on the board of directors for Healing the Divide, an organization focused on peace and justice initiatives. In 2007, he participated in a rally in Jaipur to promote condom use among truck drivers to combat the spread of HIV.
Birthday and age
Richard Gere was born on August 31, 1949, which makes Richard 77 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Richard shares the date with 23 other famous people.
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