Charismatic actor Richard Gere (1949–) was born on this day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In high school, he played the trumpet, excelled in gymnastics, and was on both the lacrosse and ski teams.

A devout Buddhist and humanitarian, Gere has long been a spokesperson for Tibet and the Dalai Lama. “I cry every chance I get,” he once admitted.

With indolent eyes and quiet magnetism, he gained fame in Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), followed by lead roles in American Gigolo (1980), An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), and Pretty Woman (1990). He won a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his role in Chicago (2003).

In 1999, Gere visited Macedonian refugee camps and joined thousands in Bloomington, Indiana to witness the Dalai Lama perform the Kalachakra initiation—a mandala ritual for world peace and healing.

“Follow your heart, get involved, and help out every way that you can. This is a realm of exciting possibilities,” he said.

To help the world heal, he founded the Gere Foundation, which gives small grants “to alleviate suffering and help restore autonomy to the people of Tibet.” A tireless advocate for human rights, Gere leads with compassion.

“As custodians of the planet,” he believes, “it is our responsibility to act with kindness, love, and compassion.”