Richard Gere is one of the most popular Hollywood actors. Besides being an actor, he is also an activist. He entered the film industry with a role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and then played a starring role in Days of Heaven. Films like American Gigolo and Pretty Woman cemented his place as a leading star. He has since starred in several blockbuster films. He has been honored with a number of awards, and was named The Sexiest Man Alive by an extensively distributed online journal. Apart from being one of the best-looking Hollywood actors, he is also one of the most expensive actors, charging around five to ten million USD for each film. He adds to his fat bank balance by appearing in commercials and endorsing a number of products. He is also actively involved in a number of philanthropic organizations that work for a number of causes. He also takes up the cause of native tribes around the world. He is an ardent devotee of the 14th Dalai Lama and vigorously campaigns for Tibetan independence.