Richard Gere

Sexy leading man Richard Gere began as a musician, playing a number of instruments in high school and writing music for high school productions. He dropped out of college to pursue acting, eventually landing a lead role in the London production of the rock musical Grease in 1973. His work earned him a season with the Young Vic Company (an unusual opportunity for an American actor), during which he appeared in such plays as Taming of the Shrew (1974). He debuted onscreen in a small role as a pimp in Report to the Commissioner (1974), after which he made one or more films a year while continuing to do stage work. His breakthrough screen performance was in the title role of American Gigolo (1979), which established him as a major sex symbol.