What Happened to Richard Gere at 77 – Try Not to CRY When You See This

Richard Gere: Conviction Over Fame

The video presents Richard Gere’s life as the story of a Hollywood star who repeatedly chose personal conviction and a quieter life over fame.

Career

Gere grew up in upstate New York, where he was musically gifted and athletic. After leaving college, he turned to acting. Early stage work led to film roles in Looking for Mr. Goodbar and Days of Heaven, followed by stardom with American Gigolo and An Officer and a Gentleman.

His role in Pretty Woman, opposite Julia Roberts, cemented his image as a romantic leading man. Later career highlights included Chicago, Shall We Dance? and Arbitrage.

Relationships and Family

The video recounts Gere’s marriage to supermodel Cindy Crawford, including the unusual detail that they exchanged aluminum-foil rings at their Las Vegas wedding. As rumors swirled about their relationship, the couple reportedly took out a newspaper advertisement declaring themselves “heterosexual, monogamous, and deeply in love.” They later divorced, with Crawford reflecting that she was still figuring out who she was.

Gere’s long relationship and marriage to Carey Lowell brought them a son, Homer. The couple eventually separated and spent years resolving their financial settlement.

The video contrasts those chapters with Gere’s later marriage to Alejandra Silva, portraying their family life and shared humanitarian interests as a source of lasting happiness.

Public Controversies and Activism

A major turning point in the video’s account of Gere’s career is his 1993 Oscars speech. While presenting an award, he went off-script to call attention to Tibet and urge China’s leaders to withdraw their troops. The video says Hollywood studios subsequently distanced themselves from him, partly because of their interest in the Chinese market. Conan O’Brien later joked about the situation at the Oscars, pretending to plead in Mandarin to be cast in films.

In 2007, Gere kissed actress Shilpa Shetty on the cheek at an AIDS-awareness event in India. The gesture provoked protests and legal action. Gere later quipped that he had learned it was understood differently in India.

Rather than publicly fight to regain the spotlight, Gere is portrayed as turning toward meditation, humanitarian work and independent films such as Time Out of Mind. The video closes with him living in Spain with his family and continuing to support causes including homelessness, refugees and Tibet.

Legacy

The video’s central message is that Gere’s legacy rests not only on his screen presence, but also on his willingness to live according to his beliefs.

Personalities Featured or Discussed

Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Cindy Crawford, Carey Lowell, Alejandra Silva, Homer Gere, Penelope Milford, Barbra Streisand, Padma Lakshmi, Shilpa Shetty, Conan O’Brien, Martha Stewart and the Dalai Lama.