Richard Gere has expressed great pride in his son, Homer Gere, as the 26-year-old continues to carve out his own path in the world of acting. With the father-son duo sharing a passion for the arts, Homer has recently made his mark with roles in popular series and films, including his noteworthy performance in HBO’s acclaimed show, “Euphoria.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/homer-gere-richard-gere-01-0605026-56f302e504e4408687722e8d23d8eb2d.jpg)
As Richard gears up for the second season of his own series, “The Agency,” he took the opportunity to reflect on his son’s burgeoning career during a recent interview with PEOPLE. “I’m proud of him on two levels,” Gere, who is now 76, shared. “One, he’s really good. He has this almost instinctual understanding of acting. But he’s also handling the challenges that come with it extraordinarily well. He’s a good kid, a young man who truly gets it, especially in an industry that isn’t easy to navigate.”
Homer, who Gere shares with his ex-wife, Carey Lowell, has gained critical acclaim for his recent appearance in “Euphoria,” where he portrayed Dylan Reid, a character involved in a dramatic storyline that included a memorable scene with Sydney Sweeney. Looking ahead, Gere noted that his son’s upcoming projects include a leading role alongside Kaia Gerber in “The Shards,” a new series orchestrated by renowned producer Ryan Murphy, as well as a recently completed film for acclaimed director Oliver Stone.
Lively in his praise, Richard quipped, “So I can retire now. I’m passing the torch,” signalling both his confidence and contentment with Homer’s trajectory in the competitive world of show business.
Gere’s own acting journey began in the late 1960s, starting in theatre before transitioning to film. He first gained widespread recognition for his role in “Looking for Mr. Goodbar,” and later solidified his superstar status with iconic performances in “American Gigolo” and “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Given his extensive experience, he reflected on the nature of choice in the industry, noting, “I don’t think [Homer] has to make a life choice to commit to this if he’s doing this now. He’s good at it and having fun.”
However, Gere also acknowledged that acting is not the sole avenue of one’s life. He added, “He can become a rock climber if he wants to do that,” highlighting his hope that his son feels free to explore varying interests as he continues his artistic journey.
Despite his illustrious career, Richard has maintained a broader perspective on life beyond Hollywood. “I’ve always seen acting as a way to express the many facets of being human,” he noted. With a background in music and various artistic pursuits, Gere sees his profession as a conduit for understanding and exploring life’s deeper questions, saying, “It’s been an amazing job to funnel all of my interests into this one thing.”
In the upcoming season of “The Agency,” premiering on Paramount+ on June 21, Gere returns to his role as James Bradley, the head of the CIA’s London station overseeing undercover agent “Martian,” played by Michael Fassbender. The series promises to delve into themes of identity and the complexities of human nature, areas that resonate with Gere personally.
Gere drew a fascinating comparison between acting and the life of an undercover agent. “We all take on different personas,” he explained. “Your dog knows you as one person, your kids see another, and your colleagues experience yet another side of you. This raises profound questions about our true selves and how we relate to one another.”
As a longtime practitioner of Buddhism, Gere reflected on the significance of understanding one’s authentic self amid the multitude of roles people play in their daily lives. “Life is about nurturing that root self, and I believe that’s essential. The real self is vast, and being conscious of the different masks we wear helps us remain in contact with our inner depth,” he added.
The return of “The Agency” is set to explore these themes further, with Gere’s character navigating both the challenges of covert operations and the complexities of his multifaceted identity. As he gears up for the season, the acclaimed actor remains an inspirational figure not only for his son but also for audiences keen to understand the intricate dance between personal identity and public persona.
As Homer continues to follow in his father’s distinguished footsteps, Richard Gere’s pride and support shine through, indicating that regardless of the path his son chooses, he is destined for success. The bond between the two is as strong as ever, underscoring the enduring connection forged through their shared love for the arts.