Richard Gere's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Richard Gere circa 1980.Photo:Robin Platzer/IMAGES/Getty

Robin Platzer/IMAGES/Getty

Richard Gereis 75 today!

Though he’s had one of the most admirable careers in Hollywood, Gere comes from humble beginnings, having been born in a working-class family in Philadelphia. Still, his love for film allowed him to travel the world as he got his early start performing in theaters in London in the ’70s.

As we commemorate Richard Gere’s 75th birthday, see his illustrious life in photos below.

01of 11Richard Gere’s Early DaysRichard Gere in ‘The Cotton Club’, 1984.Zoetrope Studios/GettyRichard Tiffany Gere was born on Aug. 31, 1949 in Philadelphia. The second of five children, his mother was a homemaker while his father worked as an insurance salesman,per IMDb.

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Richard Gere’s Early Days

Richard Gere in ‘The Cotton Club’, 1984.Zoetrope Studios/Getty

Zoetrope Studios/Getty

Richard Tiffany Gere was born on Aug. 31, 1949 in Philadelphia. The second of five children, his mother was a homemaker while his father worked as an insurance salesman,per IMDb.

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Richard Gere Pursues Acting

Richard Gere with Brooke Adams in ‘Days Of Heaven’, 1978.Paramount/Getty

Paramount/Getty

After graduating from North Syracuse Central High School, Gere attended the University of Massachusetts on a gymnastics scholarship. However, he dropped out after two years to pursue an acting career.

Above, the actor is pictured in a scene from 1978’sDays Of Heaven,‘alongside Brooke Adams.

03of 11Richard Gere Gets His Big BreakRichard Gere in 1995.Columbia Pictures/GettyGere got his big break playing Julian in Paul Schrader’sAmerican Gigolo,which came out in 1980. He followed that up with a role inAn Officer and a Gentlemanand solidified himself as a leading man.Above, the actor is pictured deep in character as he played Lancelot inFirst Knight.

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Richard Gere Gets His Big Break

Richard Gere in 1995.Columbia Pictures/Getty

Columbia Pictures/Getty

Gere got his big break playing Julian in Paul Schrader’sAmerican Gigolo,which came out in 1980. He followed that up with a role inAn Officer and a Gentlemanand solidified himself as a leading man.

Above, the actor is pictured deep in character as he played Lancelot inFirst Knight.

04of 11Richard Gere Stars in ‘Pretty Woman’Julia Roberts with Richard Gere in 1990.Buena Vista/GettyGere stole the hearts of women worldwide playing wealthy and stoic businessman Edward Lewis in 1990’sPretty Woman.The film was an instant hit, grossing over $463 million. Since 1990, the film has grossed $178 million,per Forbes, showing that fans — old and new — continue to revere the movie.

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Richard Gere Stars in ‘Pretty Woman’

Julia Roberts with Richard Gere in 1990.Buena Vista/Getty

Buena Vista/Getty

Gere stole the hearts of women worldwide playing wealthy and stoic businessman Edward Lewis in 1990’sPretty Woman.The film was an instant hit, grossing over $463 million. Since 1990, the film has grossed $178 million,per Forbes, showing that fans — old and new — continue to revere the movie.

05of 11Richard Gere’s Friendship with Julia RobertsRichard Gere with Julia Roberts in 1999.Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive/GettyIt seems Edward and Vivian’s on-screen chemistry was a result of Gere and Julia Roberts’ real-life friendship. The pair were pictured sharing a hearty laugh while at the Amnesty International USA Media Spotlight Awards in 1998.They would reunite once again for 1999’sRunaway Bride.

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Richard Gere’s Friendship with Julia Roberts

Richard Gere with Julia Roberts in 1999.Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive/Getty

Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive/Getty

It seems Edward and Vivian’s on-screen chemistry was a result of Gere and Julia Roberts’ real-life friendship. The pair were pictured sharing a hearty laugh while at the Amnesty International USA Media Spotlight Awards in 1998.

They would reunite once again for 1999’sRunaway Bride.

06of 11Richard Gere Marries Cindy CrawfordCindy Crawford, Richard Gere.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyIn 1991, 42-year-old Gere married 25-year-old Cindy Crawford. While the two made a picturesque pair, they couldn’t make it work and decided to go their separate ways four years later.Neither party has really spoken about their marriage since, but Crawfordtold PEOPLEthat distance played a part in why they divorced, saying, “We didn’t spend enough time together. And we’re equally responsible for that. We thought it would be okay if we just flew in from Paris to L.A. to get together for a night to see each other. It wasn’t.”

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Richard Gere Marries Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford, Richard Gere.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

In 1991, 42-year-old Gere married 25-year-old Cindy Crawford. While the two made a picturesque pair, they couldn’t make it work and decided to go their separate ways four years later.

Neither party has really spoken about their marriage since, but Crawfordtold PEOPLEthat distance played a part in why they divorced, saying, “We didn’t spend enough time together. And we’re equally responsible for that. We thought it would be okay if we just flew in from Paris to L.A. to get together for a night to see each other. It wasn’t.”

07of 11Richard Gere Leaves His PrintsRichard Gere in 1999.SGranitz/WireImageThe actor appeared over the moon at his footprint ceremony at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood back in 1999.

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Richard Gere Leaves His Prints

Richard Gere in 1999.SGranitz/WireImage

SGranitz/WireImage

The actor appeared over the moon at his footprint ceremony at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood back in 1999.

08of 11Richard Gere Wins a Golden GlobeRichard Gere in 2003.Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversai/GettyRichard Gere showed off his acting and singing prowess when he portrayed Billy Flynn in 2002’sChicago.He took home the Golden Globe for best actor in a motion picture musical or comedy at the 60th annual Golden Globe Awards the following year.

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Richard Gere Wins a Golden Globe

Richard Gere in 2003.Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversai/Getty

Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversai/Getty

Richard Gere showed off his acting and singing prowess when he portrayed Billy Flynn in 2002’sChicago.He took home the Golden Globe for best actor in a motion picture musical or comedy at the 60th annual Golden Globe Awards the following year.

09of 11Richard Gere Becomes a FatherCarey Lowell, Homer James Gere and Richard Gere.James Devaney/WireImageIn 2002, Gere married former model and actress Carey Lowell after dating for about eight years. The two welcomed their son, Homer James in 2000.The couplesplit in 2013and a friend told PEOPLE, “They’ll do everything possible to keep things amicable and put their child first.”Above, the pair is pictured watching a seemingly intense Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden in 2012.

09of 11

Richard Gere Becomes a Father

Carey Lowell, Homer James Gere and Richard Gere.James Devaney/WireImage

James Devaney/WireImage

In 2002, Gere married former model and actress Carey Lowell after dating for about eight years. The two welcomed their son, Homer James in 2000.

The couplesplit in 2013and a friend told PEOPLE, “They’ll do everything possible to keep things amicable and put their child first.”

Above, the pair is pictured watching a seemingly intense Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden in 2012.

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Richard Gere Finds Love in Alejandra Silva

Carlos Alvarez/Getty

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Richard Gere Brings His Family to Cannes

Homer James Jigme Gere, Alejandra Silva and Richard Gere.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

source: people.com