US actor Homer James Jigme Gere (R) kisses his father US actor Richard Gere after the screening of the film "Oh Canada"© SAMEER AL-DOUMY

Richard Gere, 74, is joined by rarely seen 24-year-old son for Cannes premiere

Richard's son Homer is a budding actor 

Rebecca Lewis - Los Angeles
Los Angeles correspondentLos Angeles
May 18, 2024

It was a family affair at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday May 17 as Richard Gere was joined by his wife and eldest son on the red carpet. 

Richard's son Homer, 24, is a budding actor but has stayed out of the spotlight mostly, growing up in New York City. He studied cognitive neuroscience and visual art at Brown University but Richard confirmed in 2023 that he was keen to look into the world of Hollywood, "writing and directing little movies, so we have this new thing in common". 

© STEPHANE CARDINALE

Richard Gere and wife Alejandra alongside his son Homer

Homer made his Cannes debut with dad Richard and stepmom Alejandra Silva alongside Uma Thurman for the premiere of Oh Canada, Richard's new film.

Oh Canada is directed by Paul Schrader, and sees him reunite with Richard 44 years after 1980’s seminal American Gigolo. Based on the 2021 novel Foregone by Russell Banks, it follows the life of a tormented writer on the brink of death, years after they fled to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War draft. 

© Getty

Richard and his wife Alejandra Silva arrive for the screening of the film "Oh Canada", alongside Homer and Uma Thurman

Richard, 77, has successfully carved out a career away from the limelight, and he has ensured his three sons have also remained away from the cameras. Homer James Jigme made Richard a first time father when he was born on February 6 2000 in New York City to former Bond girl Carey Lowell, Richard's second wife. 

His name honors both of his parents; Richard's father was called Homer and Carey's dad had the middle name James. His third name means fearless in Tibetan and is a nod to Richard's Buddhist background.

© STEPHANE CARDINALE

Richard and wife Alejandra alongside his son Homer

"Homer is the joy of my life," he said when the little boy was two, adding that he was "very smart," and "very funny". 

Carey filed for divorce from Richard in 2012 after 11 years of marriage but Richard made sure to remain close to his son, making career decisions that would guarantee he was not away from Homer for too long. 

© SAMEER AL-DOUMY

Richard leaves after the screening of the film "Oh Canada" at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival

He told the Hindustan Times in 2015: "So, 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. And I have done that. Your family is more important than anything." 

Richard is also dad to Alexander, five, and a four-year-old son whom he welcomed with wife Alejandra in 2020.

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