Richard Gere Is 77! See the Star’s Life and Career in Photos
Richard Gere Is 77! See the Star’s Life and Career in Photos
Stephanie SengweMon, August 31, 2026 at 10:06 PM UTC
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Richard Gere circa 1980Credit: Robin Platzer/IMAGES/Getty
Richard Gere has entertained the world for over 50 years.
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.
Decades later, the actor is now known for his riveting performances in films such as An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, Sommersby, Runaway Bride, and many others. And, he’s also managed to snag a Golden Globe and SAG Award along the way.
As we commemorate Richard Gere’s 77th birthday on Aug. 31, 2026, see his illustrious life in photos below.
01 of 12
Richard Gere’s Early Days
Richard Gere in ‘The Cotton Club’, 1984Credit: 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.
02 of 12
Richard Gere Pursues Acting
Richard Gere with Brooke Adams in ‘Days Of Heaven’, 1978Credit: 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.
Gere cut his teeth on the stage, starring in starring in a 1973 production of Grease in London, as well as Taming of the Shrew. In the U.S. he also had some small roles in TV movies, including Chelsea D.H.O. and Strike Force.
Above, the actor is pictured in a scene from 1978’s Days Of Heaven,’ alongside Brooke Adams.
03 of 12
Richard Gere Gets His Big Break
Richard Gere in 1995Credit: Columbia Pictures/Getty
Gere got his big break playing Julian in Paul Schrader’s American Gigolo, which came out in 1980. He followed that up with a role in An Officer and a Gentleman and solidified himself as a leading man.
Above, the actor is pictured deep in character as he played Lancelot in First Knight.
04 of 12
Richard Gere Stars in ‘Pretty Woman’
Julia Roberts with Richard Gere in 1990Credit: Buena Vista/Getty
Gere stole the hearts of women worldwide playing wealthy and stoic businessman Edward Lewis in 1990’s Pretty 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.
05 of 12
Richard Gere’s Friendship with Julia Roberts
Richard Gere with Julia Roberts in 1999Credit: 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’s Runaway Bride.
06 of 12
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Richard Gere Marries Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford, Richard GereCredit: 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 Crawford told PEOPLE that 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.”
Twenty-six years later, their children Kaia Gerber — Crawford’s daughter with husband Randy Gerber — and Homer Gere, forged a friendship after starring in Ryan Murphy’s, The Shards, together.
“From the inside, it’s really normal,” Homer told E! Newsof his dynamic with Kaia. “We just became friends as coworkers before we started working, and she’s become a really close friend. It’s been lovely working with her.”
07 of 12
Richard Gere Leaves His Prints
Richard Gere in 1999Credit: SGranitz/WireImage
The actor appeared over the moon at his footprint ceremony at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood back in 1999.
08 of 12
Richard Gere Wins a Golden Globe
Richard Gere in 2003Credit: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversai/Getty
Richard Gere showed off his acting and singing prowess when he portrayed Billy Flynn in 2002’s Chicago. 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.
09 of 12
Richard Gere Becomes a Father
Carey Lowell, Homer James Gere and Richard GereCredit: James Devaney/WireImage
In 2002, Gere married former model and actress Carey Lowell after dating for about eight years. The two welcomed Homer in 2000.
The couple split in 2013 and 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.
10 of 12
Richard Gere Finds Love in Alejandra Silva
Credit: Carlos Alvarez/Getty
Gere married Spanish publicist and activist Alejandra Silva in 2018. The same year, the two also revealed their plans to start a family and welcomed son Alexander that September. They followed up with another baby boy, James, in April 2020.
11 of 12
Richard Gere Brings His Family to Cannes
Homer James Jigme Gere, Alejandra Silva and Richard GereCredit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
In May 2024, Gere was accompanied by son Homer and Silva for the premiere of Oh, Canada at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival. Homer has followed in his father’s footsteps into acting, joining the ensemble of Ryan Murphy’s The Shards in 2026.
12 of 12
Richard Gere’s Life Now
Alejandra Silva and Richard GereCredit: Pablo Cuadra/Getty
The actor moved to his wife’s home country of Spain with their two sons at the end of 2024 so Silva could be closer to her relatives. “She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers,” he told Vanity Fair Spain earlier that year.
Gere is still hard at work, with projects in both film and television on the way, including an Apple TV miniseries with Jessica Chastain and Ben Stiller as well as a movie adaptation of the romance novel Asymmetry.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
