Richard Gere

Gere in 2007, photo by PR Photos

Birth Name: Richard Tiffany Gere

Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Birth: August 31, 1949

Ethnicity: English, some Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, distant Welsh, Dutch, Scottish, and German, remote French

Richard Gere is an American actor, producer, humanitarian, and activist. He has starred in Days of Heaven, American Gigolo, Pretty Woman, Primal Fear, Unfaithful, and Chicago.

Richard is the son of Doris Anna (Tiffany) and Homer George Gere. His family surname was spelled Geer several generations back. Many of his ancestral lines have been in the United States since the 1600s. Richard is descended from numerous Mayflower passengers. Richard is married to Spanish publicist and political activist Alejandra Silva. He has a son with his former wife, actress and model Carey Lowell; and two children with Alejandra.

Richard, along with his then-wife, model and actress Cindy Crawford, were selected People Magazine’s “Sexiest Couple Alive” in 1993 (instead of the annual “Sexiest Man Alive”). Richard was later individually selected People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 1999.

Richard’s paternal grandfather was Albert William Gere (the son of George Lane Gere/Geer and Mary/Mame Alworth). Albert was born in Pennsylvania. George was the son of Albert Rezin/Resin Gere/Geer and Sarah E. Tewksbury. Mary was the daughter of William Alworth and Eliza Garnsey/Guernsey.

Richard’s paternal grandmother was Hazel Marjorie Snover (the daughter of Franklin Pierce Snover and Helen/Ellen R. Clark). Hazel was born in Pennsylvania. Franklin was the son of Daniel Harker Snover and Mary Catherine/Kate Ann Buchanan.

Richard’s maternal grandfather was William Stanton Tiffany (the son of Nelson Leroy Tiffany and Evaline/Eva H. Williams). William was born in Pennsylvania. Nelson was the son of Elisha Thomas Tiffany and Julia Anne Hempstead. Evaline was the daughter of Elisha Gates Williams and Emily Williams.

Richard’s maternal grandmother was Anna Rebecca Stevens (the daughter of George Gordon Stevens and Alice G. Cole). Anna was born in Pennsylvania. George was the son of Joel Stevens and Sarah Gordon. Alice was the daughter of William F. Cole and Martha A. Watson.

Sources: Genealogies of Richard Gere – http://www.americanancestors.org
http://famouskin.com
https://www.geni.com

Genealogies and obituaries of Richard’s parents – http://www.findagrave.com

Genealogy of Richard Gere (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.wikitree.com

Richard’s paternal great-grandparents, George Lane Gere/Geer and Mary Alworth, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Richard’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org