In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood star Richard Gere was mistaken for a homeless man while filming his 2014 movie “Time Out of Mind” in New York. The 74-year-old actor, known for his dashing good looks and charming on-screen presence, was completely unrecognizable in his tattered attire.
Gere’s role in the movie required him to portray a mentally ill man living on the streets after being forced out of his apartment. To get into character, Gere donned a disheveled look, complete with rags and a weathered appearance. As he sat on the sidewalk, thousands of people walked by, oblivious to the fact that they were passing a Hollywood legend.
The actor recalled his experience, saying, “I was out there for the very first shot, 40 minutes plus – no one made eye contact with me, I was in character.” He added, “I was 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 director, Oren Moverman, echoed the actor’s sentiments, saying, “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.”
After the incident, Gere took to social media to share his thoughts on the experience. Using his co-star Jenna Malone’s account, he posted, “Hi, Richard Gere here. I was completely surprised to find that last week someone posted a photo of me on a Facebook fan page as a homeless man on the streets of New York…”
Gere’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the often-invisible lives of the homeless. By shedding his celebrity persona and embracing his character’s struggles, Gere brought attention to a pressing social issue and proved that even the most recognizable faces can go unnoticed in the midst of chaos.
