Richard Gere Biography

At the age of fifty, Richard Gere was named the sexiest man alive, beating out scores of actors half his age. Once married to a supermodel, this Buddhist's career has had its share of ups and downs. His three decade career, however, has also showcased some incredible performances, making him one of Hollywood's favorite actors.Richard Gere was born on August 31, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During his high school days, Gere was an accomplished gymnast and musician. Although he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he left after only two years to pursue a career in acting and trumpet playing. Like so many actors, Richard's first major role was on stage; in 1973 he appeared as badboy Danny Zuco in Grease. Making the transition from stage to big screen was a successful venture for Gere. The mid 70's and early 80's saw him starring in the films Days of Heaven, American Gigolo and An Officer and a Gentleman. The actor's performances during the remainder of the 1980s include those in The Cotton Club, Breathless and Miles From Home. Although some of these films were box office successes, many were flops. It appeared that Gere's career might be beginning to fade. The beginning of the 90's would signify a resurgence in his popularilty, however, with the release of both Internal Affairs, often thought of as Gere's best performance, and the hit romantic comedy Pretty Woman, also starring Julia Roberts. These films were followed by a string of starring roles in Sommersby, Primal Fear, and his second co-starring performance with Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride. In 1999, Gere was named the sexiest man alive by People Magazine, a great close to a lucrative decade. Since this time, Richard has appeared in The Mothman Prophecies, Unfaithful, and Shall We Dance, all of which performed well in the box office. The 2002 musical, Chicago, included Gere in its cast, along with Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta Jones. Richard's next role with be as a journalist in Spring Break in Bosnia, which will be released in 2007.When he is not preparing for his next role, Richard is busy with his involvement in numerous humanitarian causes. As the co-founder of the Tibet House, he is a strong advocate for human rights in the region. He is also involved with several ecological causes, as well as the AIDS crisis.Gere's first marriage was to Cindy Crawford, one of the most successful supermodels of all time. The marriage was rumored to be a front for the couple's homosexuality, although these rumors were denied by both parties. After four years of marriage, they ended their relationship in 1995. Carey Lowell, an American actress who has appeared in License to Kill and The Guardian, married Gere in 2002. They dated for several years before their marriage and gave birth to Homer James Jigme Gere, who was named after Richard's father, in 2000.