Richard Gere and Gymnastics....! Can you believe that it was a gymnastic scholarship that helped the charismatic Gere attend the world famous University of Massachusetts, where he studied philosophy? Well..you have to. However, he dropped out of college to pursue a career in acting. Needless to say, he succeeded.

After spending two years in University of Massachusetts, in 1973, Gere landed a lead role in the rock musical Grease. He nurtured his acting skill through his performances in various theater productions including Taming of the Shrew. Gere became a Hollywood star with his role in American Gigolo, and he established himslef as a superb actor in An Officer and a Gentleman. That was only the beginning. In 1990, when Gere paired up with Julia Roberts for the blockbuster Pretty Woman, the audience went wild. Their demand for another film with the hot onscreen couple led to Runaway Bride (1990), which was also a huge success. Richard Gere has had numorous nominations. Besides, he won several awards including the 'Actor of the Year' (2007) in Hollywood Film Festival, and the Golden Globe Award for his performance in the musical Chicago (2002). People magazine honored the actor by naming him one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World (1991). He was also their Sexiest Man Alive in 1999. So much so, for gymnast....opps! Actor Richard Gere. He didn't get the Olympics medal, but he sure made it to the top of Hollywood.