Richard Gere Chose to 'Step Back' from Fame and Attention in '90s: 'I Don't Wanna Be Looked At'

Mar. 15, 2025

Richard Gere on Nov. 21, 2024.Photo:Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Richard Geredidn’t gravitate to the celebrity side of movie stardom.

“I reacted like a wild animal,” he said on a recent episode ofThe Hollywood Reporter’sAwards Chatterpodcastof his ascent to Hollywood superstardom.

Particularly after the back-to-back success of 1990 filmsInternal Affairswith Andy García andPretty WomanwithJulia Roberts, Gere, now 75, made “a subconscious choice on my part to step back” and act in lower-profile projects, he recalled to host Scott Feinberg.

“I said, ‘Enough. I don’t really like all this attention. … I don’t wanna be looked at.’ ”

Richard Gere on Jan. 31, 1990.Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Breaking out in 1980’sAmerican Gigoloand 1982’sAn Officer and a Gentleman, Gere initially worked in regional theater and on Broadway before booking a film debut in 1977’sLooking for Mr. Goodbar.

In contrast to his difficult relationship with the spotlight, the Philadelphia native remembered the joy he felt upon realizing he was going to pursue acting professionally.

“I remember getting that rush of energy, of, ‘This is what I’m going to be doing in my life.’ And feeling like a rocket taking off,” he said of booking a summer theater job at the Eugene O’Neill Provincetown Playhouse in Boston.

Richard Gere on Nov. 20, 2024.Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

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Of starring in major studio hits and modest indies, Gere continued, “I made some choices — not that I’m ashamed of it — but there were choices not to be in the big game. They were to be in a smaller game.”

He added, “I’ve never done anything, like ‘Nah, f— it. I’ll just take the money and walk through this.’ Even things that I don’t think are very good films, the motivation to do them and the work ethic was the same.”

Richard Gere in 1984.Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Gere, who announced in November that he wasmoving to Spainwith wifeAlejandra Silvaand their sons Alexander and James, has had a busy 2024 on the big and small screens.

source: people.com