Richard Gere spotted old and unrecognizable – woman thinks he’s homeless, gives star leftovers

A Parisian tourist, while exploring the bustling streets of New York City, stumbled upon a man rummaging through a garbage can. Little did she know, the man she was about to encounter was a Hollywood legend, Richard Gere. Disheveled and unrecognizable, Gere appeared to be a homeless individual, struggling to make ends meet.

Richard Gere dressed in Giorgio Armani for AMERICAN GIGOLO. pic.twitter.com/5AWl8WEpVn

— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) December 20, 2022

“It’s unimaginable that something like this could happen,” said the heartbroken woman, offering the man some food from her own bag. Unbeknownst to her, she was extending a helping hand to one of the most famous actors of our time.

Gere’s appearance was a part of his role in the 2014 film “Time Out of Mind.” The film, co-starring Kyra Sedgwick and Steve Buscemi, delves into the struggles faced by the homeless population. Gere plays George, a man with mental illness who finds himself living on the streets after being evicted from his apartment.

To capture the authenticity of his character, Gere was asked by the director, Oren Moverman, to immerse himself in the role. He was dressed in tattered clothing, placed in the heart of the city, and asked to “be” homeless. Gere, initially hesitant about filming in such a public setting, soon realized that blending into the crowd was easier than he anticipated.

“I was out there for the very first shot, 40 minutes plus – no one made eye contact with me,” Gere recalled. “I was in character, in one of the busiest places in New York. If I had been Richard Gere there, I wouldn’t have lasted 30 seconds.”

Gere’s transformation was more than just a matter of clothing and makeup. It was a change in demeanor, a shift in body language that made him appear as just another person struggling to survive. Moverman explained, “No one gave him a cent. No one even recognized him. And that proved the whole point: The homeless are all around us and we don’t see them.”

A Viral Misconception

Unfortunately, Gere’s disguise was not without its consequences. A photo of him, taken during filming, was shared on social media, leading to a viral misunderstanding. Some believed that the famous actor was secretly living as a homeless man to raise awareness about the issue. The post, which reached millions of people, even claimed that Gere was handing out $100 bills to other homeless individuals.

Gere, who does not have his own social media accounts, used actress Jenna Malone’s Facebook page to clarify the misunderstanding. He explained that the viral post was “fictional” and that he was merely filming a movie. He also denied the claim of distributing $100 bills.

A Random Act of Kindness

Despite the viral confusion, Gere’s disguise did lead to a heartwarming encounter. As he was foraging through a trash can near Grand Central Station, a woman named Karine Gombeau approached him. Seeing him as a homeless man, she offered him some leftover pizza from her recent meal.

Gombeau, who was visiting New York with her family from Paris, was unaware of the famous actor she was helping. Her act of kindness was motivated by her compassion for the homeless and her desire to help those in need.

Two days later, Gombeau was surprised to see a photo of herself with Gere in a local newspaper. She was thrilled by the unexpected encounter and the positive impact her random act of kindness had made.

Gere’s experience highlights the importance of empathy and understanding. It serves as a reminder that anyone, regardless of their fame or fortune, can face challenges and hardships. The Parisian tourist’s kindness towards Gere demonstrates the power of human connection and the importance of looking beyond appearances.

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