Richard Gere was born on August 31, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Richard Gere attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst on a gymnastics scholarship where he pursued a degree in philosophy. However, he dropped out two years later to pursue a career in acting.

In 1969, Richard Gere made his professional debut at the Seattle Repertory Theatre, marking the beginning of his journey in the world of acting.

In 1973, Richard Gere had a major acting role in the original London stage version of 'Grease', showcasing his early talent and passion for acting.

Richard Gere was originally cast in a starring role in The Lords of Flatbush in 1974, but was replaced after a dispute with his co-star Sylvester Stallone.

In 1975, Richard Gere had a small role in the film 'Report to the Commissioner'. This marked one of his early appearances in the film industry.

In 1977, Richard Gere starred alongside Diane Keaton in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, receiving praise for his performance.

The film 'Days of Heaven', directed by Terrence Malick and starring Richard Gere, had its premiere in 1978, showcasing Gere's acting talent to a wider audience.

In 1979, Richard Gere starred as a gay Holocaust victim in the Broadway production of 'Bent', a role that earned him a Theatre World Award and showcased his versatility as an actor.

Richard Gere gained prominence with his role in the 1980 film 'American Gigolo', establishing himself as a leading man and a sex symbol in Hollywood.

Richard Gere's role as Zack Mayo in An Officer and a Gentleman solidified his status as an iconic heartthrob.

Richard Gere's biggest hit, 'Pretty Woman', was released in 1990. The film, starring Gere and Julia Roberts, became a classic romantic comedy and a major success at the box office.

In 1991, actor Richard Gere, aged 42, tied the knot with supermodel Cindy Crawford, aged 25, in a wedding ceremony held in Las Vegas.

In 1993, Richard Gere was banned from being an Academy Award presenter after denouncing the Chinese government while announcing the nominees.

Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere made an announcement in 1994 that they were going their separate ways, indicating the end of their marriage.

In 1995, Richard Gere served as the president of the jury at the 19th Moscow International Film Festival.

In 1996, Richard Gere earned critical praise for his role in the courtroom drama Primal Fear, where he starred as an attorney defending an altar boy accused of murder.

Richard Gere starred with Julia Roberts in the film Runaway Bride, further establishing his heartthrob image.

Richard Gere and Carey Lowell welcomed their son, Homer James Jigme Gere, in 2000.

In 2002, Richard Gere won a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Billy Flynn in the musical 'Chicago', showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor.

In 2003, he won a Golden Globe award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his portrayal of Billy Flynn in the movie Chicago.

In 2004, Richard Gere participated in a press conference during the Tibet Festival in Moscow. Known for his humanitarian efforts, Gere has been committed to Buddhism since the mid-1970s, visiting Tibet in 1978 and becoming a student of the Dalai Lama. He has actively supported Tibetan independence and various charitable causes, including HIV/AIDS care.

The book-to-screen adaptation Bee Season in 2005 was a commercial failure for Richard Gere.

In 2006, Richard Gere portrayed Clifford Irving in the film The Hoax, based on a true story about a writer who pens a false biography of Howard Hughes.

On April 15, 2007, Richard Gere participated in an AIDS awareness rally in Jaipur, where he sparked controversy by embracing and kissing Bollywood superstar Shilpa Shetty, leading to legal issues that were later dismissed.

In 2008, Richard Gere starred in Nights in Rodanthe, a romantic drama based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, reteaming with Diane Lane.

In October 2009, Richard Gere contributed his writing to the book 'We Are One: A Celebration of Tribal Peoples', highlighting the persecution of indigenous tribes and advocating for their rights.

In 2010, Richard Gere expressed his disapproval of the war in Iraq, stating that it was not supported by the American people and criticizing the Bush administration for 'bullying' Americans into the decision. He also called George W. Bush a 'very poor president'.

On February 16, 2012, the George Eastman Museum recognized Richard Gere's distinguished contribution to the art of film by presenting him with the George Eastman Award.

On May 17, 2012, Albanian President Bamir Topi awarded Richard Gere the Medal of Gratitude for his activism in human rights protection and exposing inhuman crimes, particularly the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo in 1999.

In 2013, Richard Gere and Carey Lowell called it quits and ended their marriage. They have one child together named Homer James Jigme Gere.

In 2015, Richard Gere played Franny Watts in the unsettling drama The Benefactor, portraying a wealthy drug addict who manipulates a young couple.

In 2016, Richard Gere portrayed the character Norman Oppenheimer in the political drama film 'Norman'. Gere described the character as representing annoying and needy aspects of human nature, receiving critical acclaim for his performance.

In 2017, Richard Gere criticized Benjamin Netanyahu's policies on the Palestinians and Israel's expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling the settlements 'an absurd provocation' and 'completely illegal'.

Alejandra Silva, Richard Gere, and their children enjoyed a Mother's Day trip together.

In 2019, Richard Gere made a rare foray into television with the BBC series 'MotherFatherSon,' where he played a media mogul navigating family, business, and political challenges.

In February 2023, Richard Gere joined 480 global figures in signing a statement from Freedom House expressing support for Mahsa Amini protesters, urging sanctions on Iranian officials, and calling for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be proscribed as a terror group.