Guide Note

Richard Gere is an American actor and the winner of Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. He first became famous during the 1980s for his romantic lead roles in dramatic films. He is also an avid humanitarian and disciple of the Dalai Lama.

Gere was married to Cindy Crawford from 1991 to 1995. In 2002, he married Carey Lowell, with whom he has a son, Homer James Jigme Gere, born in 2000 and named for Richard Gere's father.

A persistent advocate for human rights in Tibet, Gere is a co-founder of the Tibet House and founder of The Gere Foundation. Due to his strong support for the Tibetan Independence Movement, he is permanently banned from entering The People's Republic of China.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Richard Tiffany Gere
2. Date of Birth: August 31, 1949
3. Birth place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4. Descendant of Mayflower Pilgrims
5. Attended the University of Massachusetts on a gymnastics scholarship, majoring in Philosophy
6. First major acting role: London stage version of Grease in 1973
7. Named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People Magazine in 1973
8. Spouse(s):
   1. 1991 to 1995: Cindy Crawford
   2. 2002-present: Carey Lowell
9. Son: Homer James Jigme Gere

Quotes

1. "Lasting and meaningful change in the world can only happen when people come together to boldly re-imagine what might be and to find creative solutions to the issues affecting them."