Richard Gere Jokes Wife Alejandra ‘Had No Idea’ Who He Was When They First Met: ‘She Thought I Was George Clooney’

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Richard Gere and wife Alejandra Silva , George Clooney.Photo:Getty(2)

Getty(2)

Richard GereandAlejandra Silvawill always remember when they first met — but not for reasons you may think.While speaking toElle Spainat theELLE for Future 2024 event, where they were honored with the Eco Award, Gere, 75, joked that Silva, 41, “had no idea” who he was during their first encounter.“None. She didn’t see movies, which was great. I was very happy about that” said Gere, before Silva interrupted him to say, “No, wait a minute. Richard, I knew who you were.“As Silva admitted that it was just many ofhismovies she didn’t see, Gere quipped, “She thought I wasGeorge Clooney, but other than that, she knew exactly who I was.“However, at the start of the hilarious interview, Silva confessed that Gere’s 2014 filmTime Out of Mindmade her fall in love with him.“He’s so sexy there,” she said with a smile.The two married in asecret ceremonyin April 2018. They are parents to 5-year-old sonAlexanderand 4-year-old sonJames. Gere is also a stepdad to Silva’s 11-year-old sonAlbertfrom a previous marriage and a father to 24-year-oldHomer, whom he shares with ex-Carey Lowell.Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva attend the ELLE for Future 2024 photocall at the Four Seasons Hotel on November 27, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.Carlos Alvarez/GettyThe PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Asthe family prepares to move to Madrid, Spain, to be closer to Silva’s relatives, Gere gave an update on his life on the Wednesday, Nov. 20 edition ofThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.“The top of the top,” said Gere when asked, “How great is this chapter in your life?“Richard Gere attends the “Wisdom of Happiness” green carpet during the 20th Zurich Film Festival at Corso Green Carpet on October 08, 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland.Joshua Sammer/Getty"I love my wife. She’s incredible, a great mother. The kids are healthy, happy. Of course, there’s nothing more than that,” he added.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Gere has also been keeping busy with work. His upcoming series,The Agency,will premiere its first two episodes on Friday, Nov. 29, on Paramount+ with Showtime and on-air on Showtime’s cable channel on Dec. 1. His filmOh, Canadawill be released in theaters on Dec. 6.

Richard GereandAlejandra Silvawill always remember when they first met — but not for reasons you may think.

While speaking toElle Spainat theELLE for Future 2024 event, where they were honored with the Eco Award, Gere, 75, joked that Silva, 41, “had no idea” who he was during their first encounter.

“None. She didn’t see movies, which was great. I was very happy about that” said Gere, before Silva interrupted him to say, “No, wait a minute. Richard, I knew who you were.”

As Silva admitted that it was just many ofhismovies she didn’t see, Gere quipped, “She thought I wasGeorge Clooney, but other than that, she knew exactly who I was.”

However, at the start of the hilarious interview, Silva confessed that Gere’s 2014 filmTime Out of Mindmade her fall in love with him.

“He’s so sexy there,” she said with a smile.

The two married in asecret ceremonyin April 2018. They are parents to 5-year-old sonAlexanderand 4-year-old sonJames. Gere is also a stepdad to Silva’s 11-year-old sonAlbertfrom a previous marriage and a father to 24-year-oldHomer, whom he shares with ex-Carey Lowell.

Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva attend the ELLE for Future 2024 photocall at the Four Seasons Hotel on November 27, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.Carlos Alvarez/Getty

Carlos Alvarez/Getty

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Asthe family prepares to move to Madrid, Spain, to be closer to Silva’s relatives, Gere gave an update on his life on the Wednesday, Nov. 20 edition ofThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

“The top of the top,” said Gere when asked, “How great is this chapter in your life?”

Richard Gere attends the “Wisdom of Happiness” green carpet during the 20th Zurich Film Festival at Corso Green Carpet on October 08, 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland.Joshua Sammer/Getty

Joshua Sammer/Getty

“I love my wife. She’s incredible, a great mother. The kids are healthy, happy. Of course, there’s nothing more than that,” he added.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Gere has also been keeping busy with work. His upcoming series,The Agency,will premiere its first two episodes on Friday, Nov. 29, on Paramount+ with Showtime and on-air on Showtime’s cable channel on Dec. 1. His filmOh, Canadawill be released in theaters on Dec. 6.

source: people.com