Richard Gere's 'Hero' Dad Dies Months after Celebrating 100th Birthday with Son: Details
- Richard Gere is mourning the death of his beloved father, Homer, whose 100th birthday they celebrated just months ago.
- Homer was Richard's "hero" and inspired him in many ways; the actor even named his child after his dad.
- Richard's wife shared a tribute with "sadness" to her father-in-law.
Hollywood heartthrob Richard Gere is famously known for playing the role of a sophisticated love interest in movies. He has many acting credits in film and some in television and has built an extensive fan base over the years.
It was Richard's father, Homer, that inspired him to become all that he did and was a big part of the actor's life right up until the elderly gentleman turned 100 years old. Now, Richard mourns his father's loss.
Richard Gere in "No Mercy" circa 1986 | Source: Getty Images
On March 4, 2023, Richard's wife, Alejandra, took to Instagram to announce the death of her father-in-law with "sadness." She shared a photo of Homer holding a picture of a young woman and captioned the photo with his life story.
Homer's story is so extensive that Alejandra had to split the post into two parts, and still, both of them had extensive captions. In the posts, Alejandra talked about Homer's life, job, volunteer work, family, and final days.
Alejandra shared Homer's full name, Homer George Gere, and said he had been an activist in his Syracruse community for years before passing away in North Salem, New York. He passed away on March 1 at the age of 100.
Richard Gere attends Bernardo Bertolucci Memorial at Teatro Argentina on December 6, 2018 in Rome, Italy | Source: Getty Images
Richard's wife shared that her father-in-law was an insurance broker until his retirement at 65. He was also a successful entrepreneur and volunteered for Meals on Wheels in the North Area.
Alejandra said the family would miss him dearly as he is survived by his five children, their partners, and two dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They will also celebrate his life and 101st birthday in May this year.
Alejandra Silva and Richard Gere attend the 'Invisibles' (Time Out of Mind) Premiere at Callao Cinema on November 23, 2015 in Madrid, Spain | Source: Getty Images
Two days after Alejandra posted the moving tribute to her father-in-law, the media confirmed Homer's death in Downstate New York. Homer's wife, Doris, passed away in July 2016 at 91. The press also confirmed her death.
Why Did Richard's Father Become His "Hero?"
While Richard is not active on social media, and there was no tribute available from him to his father, he has often shared his views about his father in interviews and documentary-style videos.
Richard Gere (L) and Homer George Gere attend the 'Three Christs' premiere during the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 14, 2017 in Toronto, Canada | Source: Getty Images
Homer and Doris had an interesting life story, and both his parents inspired Richard, but his father, in particular, made a lasting impact on the actor when he was still a young boy. Richards called his father his "hero".
Homer and Doris Gere met when they were just children in grade school. By 1945, the pair had tied the knot and begun their family. They welcomed five children; Richard, Susan, Joanne, David, and Laura.
Richard was Homer and Doris' second child and was creatively inclined from childhood. He is now a famous actor, but he also sings, plays piano, and writes music. Richard and his siblings were raised on a farm, and he flexed his musical muscles by writing music for school plays.
A still from a YouTube video of Richard and Homer Gere talking about Meals on Wheels | Source: youtube.com/@MealsonWheelsCentralTexas
The actor has said he credits his parents with his current abilities as they did everything they could to ensure he got the education he deserved. His parents had little money but scraped together what they had to allow him music lessons.
Homer and Doris did the same for all their children, helping them foster their passion in whichever field they showed an inclination toward. Knowing his parents did not have much money to spare and still provided for him and his siblings left Richard immensely grateful.
While Richard does not talk about his father on social media, as he is notably absent on all sites, he has interviewed his father for a Meals on Wheels promotional video in the past. The video starts off with Richard saying he offered his father a car, which Homer declined.
Homer preferred the car he had because it was the right height to fit the meals in, and that was most important to him. Talking about how volunteering made him feel, Homer, reflected:
"When you can see somebody else benefiting by your life in some way, you can't help but feel good about it."
Richard talked about how inspired he felt watching his dad volunteer for those who needed him and said that his father's impact on the world was notable. The pair then sat side by side, smiling for the last frame of the video.
Fans were charmed by the dynamic between Richard and his father. Some didn't know that Homer volunteered; others said they had always loved Richard and now loved his father, too.
The father-son duo did other Meals on Wheels promotional videos, too. One showed the pair delivering the meals they had discussed in other videos. At the beginning of one video, Richard and Homer can be seen driving around a neighborhood with the meals.
Richard Gere and his son Homer attend the New York Subway Series game between the Mets and Yannkees at Citi Field on June 26, 2009 in New York, New York | Source: Getty Images
The video starts off with a rear view of their heads in the front seats of a car, and Richard, referring to Homer, gushed:
"He's always been, my hero."
Richard described his father as someone who was always there for the people who needed him. Homer also took much pleasure in being there for people, saying he loved sometimes being the only person someone called on in a day.
A still from a YouTube video of Richard and Homer Gere talking about Meals on Wheels | Source: youtube.com/@MealsonWheelsCentralTexas
Homer made such a profound impact on Richard's life that he decided to name his first son after his father. Homer Jr. has lived up to his grandfather's name and has made his own father incredibly proud.
How Did Richard Celebrate His Father's 100th Birthday?
On May 30, 2022, a Syracruse restaurant called Pastabilities shared a photo of some of its staff surrounding Richard and Homer. The caption said that the pair had gone there for dinner to celebrate Homer's 100th birthday.
Richard Gere (L) and his father, Homer George Gere arrive to the "Three Christs" premiere - 2017 TIFF - Premieres, Photo Calls and Press Conferences held on September 14, 2017 in Toronto, Canada | Source: Getty Images
The media also reported on the occasion, sharing the same photo Pastabilities shared on Instagram. The reports said the restaurant was one of the oldest in Syracuse and a favorite of many locals.
Although Richard moved away from Syracruse after becoming famous, he often visits the area to reminisce about his childhood and share memories with his father and siblings about their lives.
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