Richard Gere is marking his 77th birthday with fans looking back at a career that made him one of Hollywood’s most recognisable leading men. Born on August 31, 1949, in Philadelphia, Gere rose from stage and supporting film roles to become a global star through movies including American Gigolo, An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman and Chicago.
But his story at 77 is about more than the Richard Gere movies that made him famous. Over the decades, he has built a second identity as a Buddhist, philanthropist and outspoken human rights campaigner.
Richard Gere’s Hollywood Legacy
Gere’s breakthrough came with American Gigolo in 1980, establishing him as a major leading man. He followed it with An Officer and a Gentleman, before Pretty Woman turned him into an international romantic-film icon alongside Julia Roberts.
His career later took him into more demanding roles, including Chicago, for which he won a Golden Globe. His filmography has continued across drama, romance and independent cinema, helping him remain relevant across several generations of audiences.
That longevity is one reason the Richard Gere 77th birthday has attracted attention beyond a simple celebrity birthday.
Richard Gere’s Activism Became Part of His Legacy
Away from Hollywood, Richard Gere activism has focused heavily on Tibet and humanitarian causes. He became involved with Tibetan Buddhism in his 20s and later became a prominent supporter of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan human rights.
Gere co-founded Tibet House US in 1987 and has also served with the International Campaign for Tibet. His advocacy has been so outspoken that he has faced consequences in China, where he has been barred from entering the country.
Through the Gere Foundation, he has also supported humanitarian work involving homelessness, refugees, health, education and the preservation of Tibetan culture.
Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva
The actor’s personal life has also entered a quieter chapter. Richard Gere’s wife, Alejandra Silva, is a Spanish activist and philanthropist. The couple married in 2018 and have two sons together, Alexander and James, while Gere also has an older son, Homer, from his previous marriage to Carey Lowell.
Gere and Silva moved to Spain in 2024 and have increasingly kept their family life private. Recent family appearances have shown a different side of the actor, far removed from his famous Hollywood heartthrob image.
At 77, Richard Gere’s birthday is therefore celebrating more than a film career. It is also a reminder of how the actor has turned celebrity into a platform for causes he has spent decades supporting.
