For two decades, actor Richard Gere was effectively sidelined by the Academy Awards following a 1993 speech critical of China’s policies in Tibet. Now 76,Gere has recently discussed the controversy and subsequent 20-year ban in a new interview with *Variety*,offering insight into his outlook on the fallout and its impact on his career [[1]]. Despite a brief appearance at the 2003 ceremony during a “Chicago” win, Gere’s official return to the Oscars stage didn’t come until 2013.
Richard Gere was barred from attending the Academy Awards for two decades, a ban that began in 1993 and lasted until 2013. The reason? A politically charged statement he made during the 1993 ceremony.
The “Pretty Woman” star, now 76, recently opened up about the experience in an interview with Variety, published Wednesday, describing how he felt after being sidelined from the Oscars following his criticism of China’s policies. The incident, while initially upsetting, ultimately didn’t feel personal, Gere explained.
“I didn’t take it personally,” he said, adding, “I don’t think there was a villain in the story.”
“I do what I do, and certainly I don’t want to harm anyone. I want to fight against anger, against exclusion, fight against human rights violations. I try to stay as close as possible to the essence of His Holiness,” he continued, referring to his longtime friend, the Dalai Lama, with whom he’s been acquainted for over 45 years. The actor’s commitment to social justice has long been a hallmark of his public persona.
Gere explained that he embraces “the Dalai Lama’s beliefs, that everyone is redeemable and, in the end, we all need to be redeemed or none of us will be. In that sense, I don’t take it personally.”
What Prompted the Oscars Ban?
The controversy began at the 1993 Oscars, where Gere was presenting the award for Best Art Direction. He used the platform to condemn what he called the “horrendous human rights situation” in China and Tibet.
“If there is anything at all that could miraculously happen, something really worthy of a film, if all of us could send love and truth and a little bit of common sense to Deng Xiaoping to allow the people of Tibet to live again as a free and independent people,” the “American Gigolo” actor stated.
The speech proved controversial, resulting in a 20-year absence from the awards show. There was one exception: in 2003, when the musical “Chicago” won Best Picture, Gere also received a Golden Award for his performance.
However, his official return didn’t come until 2013, when he took the stage alongside Queen Latifah, Renée Zellweger, and Catherine Zeta-Jones to present an award. At the time, Gere joked, “Seems like if you wait long enough, they forget you were banned.”
It’s also worth noting that Gere remains banned from entering China indefinitely.
When asked if he had ever discussed the ban with the Dalai Lama, Gere said, “No.”
“It never came up. Occasionally, they tell him when I win awards, and he sends me a message congratulating me and saying he’s happy for me. That’s the closest we get to talking about movies,” he shared.
Gere served as an executive producer on a 2025 documentary about the Dalai Lama, titled “Wisdom of Happiness.” He has consistently advocated for Tibet and previously called for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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