Actor, sex symbol and noted humanitarian for his work in pursuit of Tibet's freedom, Richard Gere was born Aug. 31, 1949, in Philadelphia. After a successful stint as a stage actor on Broadway and a few minor film roles, Gere broke through in Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) as a predatory swinger opposite Diane Keaton.

He quickly followed this with a string of high-profile roles in Days of Heaven (with director Terrence Malick), American Gigolo and An Officer and a Gentleman (opposite Debra Winger). After something of a drought through most of the 1980s, Gere reestablished his popularity when he co-starred with Julia Roberts in 1990's romantic comedy Pretty Woman.

Gere later reteamed with Roberts in Runaway Bride (1999). In 2002, he received much acclaim for his work in Unfaithful and the musical Chicago, for which he won his first Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. ... - from Netflix