Richard Gere

**Richard Tiffany Gere** was born August 31, 1949 in Philadelphia. He began his acting career in the 1970s and climbed the ladder of stardom with essential roles in films such as *American Gigolo*, *An Officer and a Gentleman*, and the widely acclaimed *Pretty Woman*. These films established him as a leading man and a sex symbol. His repertoire of films includes *The Cotton Club*, *No Mercy*, *Sommersby*, *Intersection*, *First Knight*, *Primal Fear*, *Runaway Bride*, *Dr. T & the Women*, *Shall We Dance?*, *I'm Not There*, *Arbitrage* and *Norman.* For his role in Chicago (2002), he won a Golden Globe Award. Gere's early life was marked by his education and passion for arts and music. He graduated from North Syracuse Central High School in 1967 and went on to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst on a gymnastics scholarship but did not graduate. His acting career started in the Seattle Repertory Theatre and the Provincetown Playhouse on Cape Cod in 1969. Gere continues to shine as an accomplished musician, contributing to the *Pretty Woman* piano theme and a guitar solo in *Runaway Bride*. Gere remains an influential figure in Hollywood, successfully shifting from leading roles to more character-driven performances and independence films garnering critical acclaim. In addition to acting, Gere is an active supporter of numerous humanitarian programs and a notable advocate for human rights in Tibet.