While 73-year-old Richard Gere is enjoying his days as a dad of his young kids, playing with his sons, and relaxing with his beloved wife, almost half his age, fans are not ready to accept his happiness. In their opinion, the actor is too old for such a role.
Hollywood’s leading man, Richard Gere, became a first-time father at age 50. The actor and his second wife, actress Carey Lowell, welcomed their son, Homer, on February 6, 2000. Homer was named after his grandfather. His parents were married from 2002 until 2016, following 14 years of marriage.
Gere married for the third time after meeting Spanish publicist Alejandra Silva, whom he wed in 2018. The couple welcomed their son, Alexander, in 2019. Gere is also a stepfather to his wife’s son, Albert, from her previous marriage.
Actor Richard Gere and his first wife, model Cindy Crawford, during the Chanel Haute-Couture Fall-Winter 1993-1994 show on July, 1 1993 in Paris, France ┃Source: Getty Images
The movie star dotes on his offspring. In 2019, Gere gushed about his then-newborn child Alexander, saying, “He’s everything better than me. I love him.”
Gere showed he was still in good shape by carrying his child onto a modern art sculpture during their outing in France. The family of three went to the Eiffel Tower and also visited the grounds of Palais Royal at the time.
Richard Gere and son Homer watch the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 29, 2007 in Cooperstown, New York ┃Source: Getty Images
In terms of his childhood, Gere grew up in Syracuse, New York, and has four siblings. His dad was an insurance salesman, and his mom was a housewife.
They were Methodists with a musical background but other than that, the Geres were merely ordinary, and their now-famous son reportedly had an uneventful upbringing.
Richard Gere and his mother Doris Gere during the 19th Annual American Museum of the Moving Image Benefit – Salute to Richard Gere at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on April 20, 2004 in New York City, New York ┃Source: Getty Images
However, the same cannot be said about Gere’s love life. The “American Gigolo” star was first married to a supermodel, Cindy Crawford, from 1991 to 1995.
The actress later blamed his reluctance to have children as a reason for the end of their marriage. At the time, Gere admitted that he was not entirely interested in becoming a parent because he considered himself a big kid.
But in a 2002 interview, he changed his tune, stated he always wanted to be a dad, and explained that his previous remark about having kids was “a cliche we all use.”
Actress Carey Lowell, daughter Hannah Dunne and actor Richard Gere attend Richard Gere’s hands and footprints in cement ceremony at Mann’s Chinese Theatre on July 26, 1999 in Hollywood, California. ┃Source: Getty Images
Gere also disclosed his son’s name and shared he named him after his dad. He divulged that his mother was mainly over the moon for him because she had always wanted him to become a parent.
Richard Gere pictured carrying his baby son Homer James Jigme Gere at the Watermill Center’s 7th Annual Summer Gala Benefit on August 19, 2000 in Watermill, New York ┃Source: Getty Images
The film star said he had spent much time with his then-newborn Homer within the first few months of his arrival and was with him daily, adding:
“That’s a great luxury. My father didn’t have that because he was working two jobs.”
Gere even hinted that he and Lowell would consider having more children together. This despite remarking that he would “rather be able to think of all creatures as my children” while married to Crawford.
Richard Gere, actress Carey Lowell, and their son Homer James Jigme Gere arrive for the “Kids for Kids” Carnival at Central Park on April 29, 2001 in New York City. ┃Source: Getty Images
Yet when he became a dad for the first time ten years after their divorce, the “Pretty Woman” star further delved into the subject, clearing the air about his thoughts on having kids:
“It was quite simple. I never had an issue about children one way or the other. With Carey, she had a child from a previous marriage, and it was just a natural thing, caring for this child, having our own child.”
Richard Gere and his father, Homer George Gere, arrive at the “Three Christs” premiere – 2017 TIFF – Premieres, Photo Calls and Press Conferences on September 14, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. ┃Source: Getty Images
Besides being a loving father to date, Gere is also known for his humanitarian efforts. In 2019, he was honored at the City Harvest Festival Gala and credited his beloved dad for teaching him how to give back.
Gere said his parent’s “mind is better than mine,” during his acceptance speech and explained his dad has always been there for people going through hardships:
“If he didn’t have money, it was a smile or an embrace or whatever he had to help out.”
