Gere and Roberts Share Unbreakable Bond

Their friendship began with a little note. At their first meeting, when Richard Gere was deciding whether to star in «Pretty Woman», Julia Roberts handed him a note. The actor was charmed, according to media reports.

«She just shone,» Gere recalled of that meeting. «She wasn»t Julia Roberts yet. She was just this person.«

Thirty-five years after the 1990 blockbuster«s release, they remain extremely close, according to an insider. »They still communicate very closely,« said the source. »They have supported each other through many ups and downs over the decades. Julia and Richard are bound by unbreakable ties.«

Roberts has worked with many stars of the first magnitude, from Hugh Grant and Brad Pitt to George Clooney and Tom Hanks. Yet Gere holds a special place in her heart — and not only because the role of prostitute Vivian Ward alongside his businessman Edward Lewis made her a superstar.

«Julia simply enjoys his company,» noted the insider. «She communicates with him more often than with any other former co-star.» At the height of their friendship, probably before marriages and children, Gere estimated they spoke «three or four times a day,» but added that they still communicate «constantly.» «I would call her right now,» he joked on the red carpet in 2017.

Unsurprisingly, the pair enthusiastically reunited on screen in 1999 in «Runaway Bride». Rumors circulated that Gere agreed to the role only on the condition that Roberts would be involved.

«Julia deeply respects him and always wants to know his opinion on a script before taking on a project,» explained the insider. «She thinks Richard is brilliant and would be happy to work with him again. They just haven»t found the right opportunity yet. But they haven«t given up the idea and both dream of a joint project.»

The famous friends don«t only talk about Hollywood careers. »Julia greatly values his outlook on life,« shared the source. »Richard has shared various things with her: his deep passion for meditation, how he manages not to worry about small things, and experiences from far corners of the Earth. He loves to travel, so he often recommends places for Julia to visit, as well as books and TV series.«

The chemistry between Roberts and Gere was undeniable — and not exclusively platonic — from the start. The actor himself described their early off-screen interaction as «flirtation.» «We loved each other immediately,» Gere said.

Asked about favorite moments from «Pretty Woman», he replied mischievously: «Basically, any scenes where Julia walked around, which was amusing for all of us.»

Nearly a decade after their first hit, they teamed up again in «Runaway Bride». In 2019, their easy intimacy — even greeting kisses on the lips — spawned reports that Julia and Richard «might regret» that the stars never got together romantically after their characters fell in love not in one, but two films. Although the actress did not directly comment on these rumors, she admitted that there are things to regret in life. «Who doesn»t have them?« she said.

The insider insists that Roberts and Gere are «like brother and sister,» but nevertheless their closeness somewhat unsettles the husband and father of her children, cinematographer Danny Moder. «Maybe he»s a little concerned about how close they are,« explained the source. »He«s only human!»

Moder is not alone in his feelings. Similarly, Gere«s wife, Alejandra Silva, »seems not always thrilled« by how warmly her husband and Roberts interact, added the insider. »But in the end, Danny and Alejandra have to accept that this is a lifelong friendship that won«t go away. They have no choice but to come to terms with it.»

Philanthropist Silva may have secretly hoped the distance between the celebrities would increase when she and Gere moved to Europe. Last year, the couple, married in 2018, relocated to her home country of Spain with their children Alexander and James. The actor also has an adult son from a previous marriage.

«One might think Julia and Richard would see each other less, but she»s been visiting often lately, so they actually communicate more,« said the insider. »They are very secretive in that regard.«

Gere is thrilled with his new home in Madrid. «It»s a very happy place. Like Italy,« he said. »I mean, in Italy, in Spain, you«re dealing with Latin cultures that understand life differently.»

His friend, the Oscar winner, seemingly hinted at her time abroad when she surprised those around her by speaking Italian at the Gotham Awards ceremony in New York. In early 2025, rumors circulated that Roberts is also considering moving to Europe permanently, now that her children with Danny — twins and a son — have grown up and live independently. «How content Richard is inspires Julia,» noted the source about her interest in life abroad. «She admires the life he has built.»

Roberts is expected to remain a part of his world wherever their work or spouses take them. The former colleagues have been constant pillars for each other ever since she said that Gere changed her life «forever» by agreeing to star in their first romantic comedy.

«Julia and I will always be connected,» he stated. «Filming »Pretty Woman« is an experience we will never forget.»