Happy birthday, Richard Gere! Not only can we not believe the hunky actor is 65 today, it's hard to imagine that it's been nearly 25 years since he made us swoon in "Pretty Woman."
Still dapper and debonaire, the milestone birthday finds the award-winning actor with several upcoming movies lined up. He may be a household name for earlier films like "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "First Knight," (and for being married to supermodel Cindy Crawford in the early '90s) but Gere still very much has a Hollywood presence, with recent hits in films like "Arbitrage" and "Nights in Rodanthe."
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With those looks, that talent, and that star quality, we're sure our favorite silver fox isn't going anywhere. Here are just five of the many reasons we absolutely adore Edward -- er, Richard:
That hair, those eyes.
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George Clooney, eat your heart out. Just look at those flowing, perfectly tousled locks. While he started out with the perfect salt-and-pepper hair circa his "Pretty Woman" days, Gere has gone almost completely white by the looks of it, and he's looking as good as ever.
While many actors bank on looking younger than his years, Gere's trademark has always been his graying hair. And it seems to be working out perfectly for him (and us). We just love that twinkle in his eyes.
While many actors bank on looking younger than his years, Gere's trademark has always been his graying hair. And it seems to be working out perfectly for him (and us). We just love that twinkle in his eyes.
His humility.
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While he's a Hollywood A-lister, and has been for decades, Gere isn't a regular on tinseltown's party circuit. For years, he lived with wife Carey Lowell, in the quiet town of Bedford, New York where they owned a quiet inn, until their split. He's called his life "simple and normal."
Though he's been People's Sexiest Man Alive and many other accolades, Gere seems to be incredibly down to earth. "I'm still like this guy who, like, washed his dad's car. I don't feel like I'm some sort of rarefied species of creature," Gere reportedly said.
Though he's been People's Sexiest Man Alive and many other accolades, Gere seems to be incredibly down to earth. "I'm still like this guy who, like, washed his dad's car. I don't feel like I'm some sort of rarefied species of creature," Gere reportedly said.
His devotion to his faith.
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In a land of Scientologists, Gere has looked to the East for his spiritual calling. "When I was a young man in my twenties, I was a confused man, and I tried to figure out why I was confused. I had left college when I was 19 to become an actor and I was very anxious to get started with my life and I was quite lucky to get started early," Gere said during a 2013 talk in India.
"I wanted to know for long, about the truth. I thought maybe it was a period young people went through, a recognizable period and pretty quickly it was Buddhism that spoke to me when I was searching."
Gere later went on to spend a week in Tibet's monasteries and had a chance to meet with the Dalai Lama. The religion, has given him "an immense sense of happiness and console," Gere has said, adding that the teaching of compassion and meditation are what he so loves.
"I wanted to know for long, about the truth. I thought maybe it was a period young people went through, a recognizable period and pretty quickly it was Buddhism that spoke to me when I was searching."
Gere later went on to spend a week in Tibet's monasteries and had a chance to meet with the Dalai Lama. The religion, has given him "an immense sense of happiness and console," Gere has said, adding that the teaching of compassion and meditation are what he so loves.
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His charity.
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Going hand-in-hand with his spiritual practice, Gere has been a longtime supporter of preserving the culture of Tibet as well as humanitarian efforts in the region, through The Gere Foundation.
Gere is also an AIDS activist, making various appearances to raise awareness and raise money for the cause. He helped create a series of safe-sex PSAs in South Asia and has also garnered the support of celebrities including Bill Gates.
"A few years ago I said, 'Look, I have so many years left, maybe, to accomplish something of value. I thought to myself, 'Let me focus on a few big things and see if we can do something there,'" Gere said in a 2005 interview with AARP.
Gere is also an AIDS activist, making various appearances to raise awareness and raise money for the cause. He helped create a series of safe-sex PSAs in South Asia and has also garnered the support of celebrities including Bill Gates.
"A few years ago I said, 'Look, I have so many years left, maybe, to accomplish something of value. I thought to myself, 'Let me focus on a few big things and see if we can do something there,'" Gere said in a 2005 interview with AARP.
His acting.
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Whether he's playing a playboy businessman ("Pretty Woman"), a man in uniform ("An Officer and a Gentleman"), a dashing lawyer (too many to name), to yes, even a knight in shining armor ("First Knight"), there's no role Gere hasn't been able to convince us of.
Besides his knack for acting, Gere is also an accomplished musician. Remember that steamy, unforgettable piano scene from "Pretty Woman?" Yep, Gere actually played that piano, and not only that, he reportedly penned the tune himself.
And can we all agree, he looks damn good in a suit?
Besides his knack for acting, Gere is also an accomplished musician. Remember that steamy, unforgettable piano scene from "Pretty Woman?" Yep, Gere actually played that piano, and not only that, he reportedly penned the tune himself.
And can we all agree, he looks damn good in a suit?
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