By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Richard Gere, the subject of this write up, needs no introduction. The actor enjoys worldwide recognition, adoration & acceptance as a person of substance as is evident from some of his films like- Pretty Woman (1990) Runaway Bride (1999) & Unfaithful (2002). Gere hit the media limelight following his role in “American Gigolo” starring Lauren Hutton, Hector Elizondo, Nina van Pallandt & Bill Duke as Pimp Leon. The film’s success made him taste stardom & enjoy star status. He was looked upon as a Sex Symbol . Gere plays a male escort (gigolo) named Julian, who gets involved in a murder of one of his female clients Judy Rheimam played by Patty Carr. He tries to prove him not guilty of the crime. How he eventually unfolds the murder mystery is what the film “American Gigolo” (1980) is all about. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer & directed by Paul Schrader, the film did wonders at the Box office front collecting more than 10 times the budgeted cost. There was no looking back for the guy as he was flooded with fresh offers to play the lead.
“Pretty Woman” starring Julia Roberts as a prostitute is another of his popular & much talked about movies. “Chicago” (2002) also starring Renee Zellweger & Catherine Zeta-Jones won Academy Award including an individual Golden Globe for the actor. Also featured in MotherFatherSon TV series.
Married thrice to Supermodel Cindy Crawford, Carey Lowell Alejandra Silva (2018), the actor made many an eyebrow raise when he tried to kiss actress Shilpa Shetty during an event in India. The pictures of the event went viral & invited criticism from various quarters. The actor is fond of Indian culture in general and Buddhism as religion in particular. Never fails to visit Dharmshala & Dalai Lama.
