Richard Gere Discusses 20-Year Exclusion from Academy Awards Due to Activism
# Richard Gere Reveals Details on Two-Decade Oscar Ban
## The Actor Discusses His Extended Exclusion from the Prestigious Ceremony
Richard Gere, the acclaimed star known for his role in "An Officer And A Gentleman," has shed light on his remarkable 20-year exclusion from the Oscar ceremony. In a recent interview, he reflected on the circumstances surrounding this lengthy ban from Hollywood's most coveted awards.
Gere’s ban from the Academy Awards stemmed from his outspoken advocacy for human rights in Tibet, which led to a rift with the Academy. His dedication to highlighting these issues has been unwavering, particularly in opposing the actions of the Chinese government. He stated, "If something miraculous, really kind of movie-like, could happen here, where we could all kind of send love and truth and a kind of sanity to Deng Xiaoping right now in Beijing, that he will take his troops and take the Chinese away from Tibet and allow people to live as free independent people again."
The actor expressed his stance on the situation, asserting, "I didn't think there were any bad guys in the situation. I do what I do, and I certainly don't mean anyone any harm. I mean to harm anger. I mean to harm exclusion." His commitment to this cause reflects his belief in promoting understanding rather than division.
During his discussion of these topics, Gere also emphasized the importance of opposing human rights abuses without creating further hostility, saying, "I mean to harm human rights abuses, but I try to stay as close to where His Holiness comes from." His perspectives provide insight into the reason behind his Oscar ban and the principles that drive his activism.