Richard Gere has experienced the joy of fatherhood across different stages of his life. His first son was born when Gere was in his 50s, while his two younger sons arrived in his late 60s and early 70s.
Richard Gere, known for roles in iconic films, has built a life where family holds significant meaning. While he rose to fame on the big screen, becoming a father brought different responsibilities and profound moments that he valued deeply. As a parent, he has carefully balanced his public and private lives.
Gere’s commitment to fatherhood, particularly with his younger sons, shows his focus on privacy and family values. The experiences of his three sons highlight these priorities and demonstrate how Gere has managed the various phases of being a parent.
Becoming a Stepfather — The Start of Fatherhood
Before becoming a biological father, Gere stepped into the role of a stepfather when he married Carey Lowell in the early 2000s. Lowell had a daughter, Hannah, from her previous marriage to actor Griffin Dunne.
Gere embraced this role wholeheartedly and later reflected on the experience, saying, “Being a step-father was an easy ride.” This early chapter helped shape his views on parenting, easing any initial fears he may have had about fatherhood.
Gere’s willingness to take on the responsibilities of a stepfather marked an essential shift in his personal life. Notably, his first marriage to supermodel Cindy Crawford in the 1990s ended without children.
Crawford cited Gere’s hesitation to start a family as a key reason for their split. She attributed it to his concern that parenting would “monopolize” his life. However, by the time he married Lowell, Gere had evolved in his outlook.
He overcame what he once described as “a guy fear” and embraced the role of father and stepfather. This experience with Hannah laid the groundwork for how Gere would later approach parenting his biological children.
Before becoming a biological father, Gere stepped into the role of a stepfather when he married Carey Lowell in the early 2000s. | Source: Getty Images
Lowell had a daughter, Hannah, from her previous marriage to actor Griffin Dunne. | Source: Getty Images
Gere embraced his role as Hannah’s stepfather wholeheartedly. | Source: Getty Images
On September 27, 2005, Gere was seen attending the 2005 Benefit for Continuum Center for Health and Healing with Hannah. | Source: Getty Images
Becoming a stepfather helped shape Gere’s views on parenting, easing any initial fears he may have had about fatherhood. | Source: Getty Images
Homer James Jigme Gere — The Joy of His Life
Gere’s journey as a biological father began in 2000 with the birth of his first son, Homer James Jigme Gere. Gere was 50 years old at the time and in a long-term relationship with Carey, an actress known for her role in “Law & Order.”
The couple was together for several years before marrying in 2002, eventually separating in 2013 and finalizing their divorce in 2016. The birth of Homer came after Gere had returned home from the set of “Dr. T and the Women,” where he played an obstetrician.
Homer’s name carries deep significance, honoring his paternal and maternal grandfathers: Homer Gere, a former insurance salesman, and James Lowell, a geologist. The name “Jigme” reflects Gere and Lowell’s shared interest in Tibetan Buddhism, as it means “fearless” in Tibetan.
Shortly after Homer’s birth, Gere expressed his joy by calling his father to share the news. According to his father, Gere’s voice conveyed excitement and happiness. “It was very sweet—and it made me feel good,” Gere’s father said when told of the baby’s name.
From an early age, Homer was a source of joy for Gere. At two years old, Gere described him as “the joy of my life,” a child who loved music, ran fast, and showed intelligence and humor. “Pretty quick he learned irony, which is a wonderful quality for any human being,” Gere reflected on his young son’s wit.
From an early age, Homer was a source of joy for Gere. | Source: Getty Images
On April 29, 2001, the father-son duo was seen arriving for the “Kids for Kids” Carnival in New York City’s Central Park. | Source: Getty Images
On June 26, 2009, Gere took his son to watch the New York Subway Series game between the Mets and Yankees at Citi Field. | Source: Getty Images
Gere had Homer with his second wife, Carey Lowell, an actress known for her role in “Law & Order.” | Source: Getty Images
On March 7, 2011, Gere and Homer attended the Utah Jazz vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden. | Source: Getty Images
Carey Lowell, Homer James Gere, and Richard Gere were seen watching a game between the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 2, 2012. | Source: Getty Images
This bond influenced many of Gere’s career decisions. He shared in a 2015 interview that while he mostly chose film roles on his own, he made sure not to be away from Homer for extended periods.
“If I have to be away for long, I talk to him about it, and if there is a problem, I don’t take up the project. Your family is more important than anything,” Gere emphasized.
As indicated on his LinkedIn profile, Homer attended Hackley School in Tarrytown, New York. He later pursued higher education at Brown University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and visual art in May 2024.
Although Homer has largely stayed out of the public eye, they made a rare appearance together on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. Their relationship highlights Gere’s dedication to fatherhood, showcasing his ability to balance his career with his role as a parent.
Though Homer generally shies away from the limelight, he and Gere made a rare public appearance together at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, walking the red carpet side by side. | Source: Getty Images
Gere has often expressed his admiration and love for his eldest son. | Source: Getty Images
Homer has grown noticeably taller than his father, as evident from their joint appearances. | Source: Getty Images
Homer, who largely stays out of the public eye, attended the Filming Italy Venice Award red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2024, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
Welcoming His Youngest Sons — Embracing Fatherhood Again
Almost two decades after the birth of his first child, Gere embraced fatherhood again, this time with his wife, Alejandra Silva. The couple married in 2018, and soon after, in 2019, they welcomed their first child together, a son named Alexander.
Gere was 69 at the time and expressed joy at becoming a father again during this later stage of his life. Soon after, the couple celebrated the arrival of their second son, making Gere a father for the third time.
These new chapters in Gere’s life brought a sense of renewal and happiness. His and Silva’s shared commitment to family privacy has been a cornerstone of how they raise their children. Silva, who also has a son, Albert, from her previous marriage to Govind Friedland, has been steadfast in maintaining a level of seclusion around their family life.
