In a startling revelation that rewrites Hollywood history, screen icon Richard Gere has disclosed how his cinematic debut was systematically erased from one of 1977's most controversial films.
The Role That Vanished
The 74-year-old actor recently shared the incredible story of his first major film role in 'Looking for Mr. Goodbar,' where he starred opposite Diane Keaton. Despite filming significant scenes as a troubled priest, Gere's entire performance was excised from the final cut by director Richard Brooks.
'It was devastating,' Gere confessed during an interview. 'I thought my career was over before it even started.'
A Director's Ruthless Decision
Gere described the moment he discovered his fate: 'I went to the screening, and my scenes were gone. All of them. I was completely cut out of the movie.' The young actor had been so certain of his performance's quality that he'd brought his parents to the premiere, only to experience profound embarrassment.
Director Richard Brooks made the controversial decision to remove Gere's character entirely, despite the actor having completed all his scenes. The film, based on Judith Rossner's novel, already pushed boundaries with its explicit content, but Brooks felt the priest storyline distracted from the main narrative.
Hollywood's Harsh Reality
This brutal introduction to filmmaking nearly ended Gere's career before it began. The experience taught him a harsh lesson about the film industry's unpredictability. 'It was my first lesson in how this business works,' he reflected.
Remarkably, Gere's performance was so completely removed that for decades, few even knew he'd been involved with the project. The film went on to become a critical success, earning Diane Keaton an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
From Near-Oblivion to Stardom
Despite this catastrophic start, Gere's career recovered spectacularly. Just one year later, he landed his breakthrough role in 'Days of Heaven,' launching him toward international stardom with films like 'American Gigolo,' 'An Officer and a Gentleman,' and 'Pretty Woman.'
The lost footage from 'Looking for Mr. Goodbar' remains one of Hollywood's great mysteries - a complete performance by one of cinema's most enduring stars, existing only in studio archives and the memories of those who witnessed its creation.
