Birthdate:
August 31, 1949
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sign: Sun in Virgo, Moon in Sagittarius
Education: University of Massachusetts (gymnastics scholarship
dropout)
Sexy leading man Richard Gere began as a musician, playing a number of instruments in high school and writing music for high school productions. He dropped out of college to pursue acting, eventually landing a lead role in the London production of the rock musical Grease in 1973. His work earned him a season with the Young Vic Company (an unusual opportunity for an American actor), during which he appeared in such plays as Taming of the Shrew (1974). He debuted onscreen in a small role as a pimp in Report to the Commissioner (1974), after which he made one or more films a year while continuing to do stage work. His breakthrough screen performance was in the title role of American Gigolo (1979), which established him as a major sex symbol.
After that success he took a big career risk in accepting the role of a gay concentration-camp prisoner in the Broadway play Bent, for which he received excellent reviews. His next film, An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), confirmed his star status, but it was followed by a long dry spell of poor or unsuccessful movies; that period was ended with his starring role in the smash hit Pretty Woman (1990) playing opposite Julia Roberts. Off-screen, he is a devout Buddhist and remains active in ecological and political causes. His marriage to supermodel Cindy Crawford ended in 1995.
Here are some pics for enjoyment of my favorite movie that Richard Gere was in, First Knight.
