For several years, the Primal Fear star has been working to help find a cure to the sexually transmitted disease. Gere recently called out to the international media to become involved in the fight at a conference with media moguls from Russia, South Africa and India, among other countries.
During the meeting, Gere said that he had been inspired by actor Rock Hudson, who died from the disease in 1985. He added that Elizabeth Taylor’s active role in the battle also prompted him to do what he could to fight AIDS.
Gere said of Hudson, "There was another cultural icon, who just cut to the centre of the culture very quickly, very directly. And I think it was in many ways an inspiration to me. What I would do later on is work with people who had that ability to cut through very quickly and very deeply into the heart of a culture."
This week, Richard Gere will make a presentation in Toronto at the 16th International AIDS Conference.