Richard Gere Reflects on Oscar Ban

In a recent interview with Variety, Richard Gere opened up about his 20-year ban from the Academy Awards. The 76-year-old actor expressed that he doesn’t see the situation as particularly personal.

“I didn’t think there was a bad guy here,” he stated. “I’m just doing what feels right to me and not harming anyone. I’m all about addressing the anger and the exclusion, especially regarding human rights issues, while trying to stay aligned with the principles of His Holiness,” referring to his long-time friend, the Dalai Lama.

Gere recollected that his ban dates back to 1993 when he made unscripted remarks at an awards ceremony criticizing China’s human rights record in Tibet. He had been set to present the Best Art Direction award that night, which ultimately went to “Howard’s End.” However, he veered off script, suggesting that a miracle could lead the Chinese people to freedom in Tibet.

It wasn’t until 2013 that Gere returned to the Oscars after two decades. He also served as an executive producer on a 2025 documentary titled “The Wisdom of Happiness,” focusing on the Dalai Lama. Alongside his advocacy for Tibet, he called for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is currently banned from entering China.

Interestingly, Gere mentioned that he hasn’t discussed the Oscar issue with Buddhist leaders. “It never really crossed my mind,” he admitted. “When I win awards, they sometimes pass along messages from him, but that’s about it.” This interaction, while kind, definitely doesn’t replace a more in-depth conversation.