Reason Behind Richard Gere's Oscars Ban Revealed: Actor Speaks Out on Controversial TV Incident

Richard Gere faced a nearly 20-year ban from the Oscars after delivering unscripted remarks during the 1993 ceremony. He eventually returned to present at the 2013 Academy Awards. In a December 2025 interview with Variety, Gere opened up about the incident and its aftermath.

The 1993 Oscars Controversy

During the 65th Academy Awards, Gere presented the award for Best Art Direction. In his brief on-stage moment, he spoke about China's human rights issues, specifically regarding Tibet. While the audience applauded his comments, the Academy excluded him from presenting at subsequent ceremonies for many years.

What Gere Said

Before announcing the nominees, Gere remarked on the global audience of over 1 billion viewers and wondered if the broadcast was being watched in China. He expressed concern over China's human rights situation, including the treatment of Tibet, and hoped for change through love and awareness.

Although his statements received applause, Bob Rehme, then-president of the Academy, emphasized that the Oscars focus on movies and entertainment, not global political matters. Show producer Gil Cates reportedly called Gere's comments arrogant.

The Length of the Ban

Gere did not appear at the Oscars again until February 24, 2013almost 20 years later. By then, he had starred in the film Chicago, which won multiple Academy Awards. At the 85th Oscars, he returned alongside his Chicago co-stars to present awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

Reflecting on his return, Gere joked that time heals all, noting that staying visible in Hollywood eventually allowed the Academy to forget the previous ban.

Geres Perspective on the Ban

In the 2025 Variety interview, Gere said he never took the ban personally. He emphasized that he does not intend harm or offense but seeks to address human rights issues. He also shared his philosophy of seeing everyone as redeemable, inspired by his long-standing friendship with the Dalai Lama.

Friendship with the Dalai Lama

Gere has been close friends with the Dalai Lama for over 45 years. A practicing Buddhist since 1978, he served as executive producer of the documentary Wisdom of Happiness. Despite the Oscars incident, Gere revealed that the controversy never became a topic of discussion between them.

Oscar Nominations

Although Richard Gere has appeared in Oscar-winning films such as Days of Heaven and Chicago, he has never received an individual Academy Award nomination.

Author: Natalie Monroe