Richard Gere has spent decades in Hollywood, but he hasn’t let fame go to his head — at least not without a fight.The actor serves as an executive producer of the documentary "Wisdom of Happiness," which explores the Dalai Lama’s teachings and the pursuit of lasting joy.Gere has practiced Buddhism for more than 40 years.Asked how he keeps fame and ego in check after decades in Hollywood, Gere admitted he isn’t immune.TIM ROBBINS TURNS TO AYAHUASCA AFTER FEELING 'CONSUMED BY ANGER' OVER CANCEL CULTURERichard Gere attends the screening of the film "Wisdom of Happiness" during the BCN Film Festival at Cinemes Verdi on April 29, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain.
(2025 Xavi Torrent)"Everyone goes through that," the 77-year-old told Fox News Digital."Everyone has the forces of greed, anger, self-cherishing, impatience, jealousy, the whole gamut.
Everyone has that.So I think from Buddhist training and looking at these afflictive emotions and seeing where they’re coming from, they’re not innate in me.
They’re kind of add-ons to basic clarity of the mind.""It’s said that the mind is clear and knowing, so clear, vast, no limits," he said."It has a sense of knowing, wisdom.
The other stuff is just kind of add-ons, like dark clouds coming through.They come, and they go."Richard Gere wears a tuxedo in New York, circa 1970.
(Getty Images)Gere also isn’t looking to Hollywood for happiness.The longtime leading man has learned that the perks only go so far.WATCH: RICHARD GERE SHARES THE LIFE LESSON THAT BRINGS HIM HAPPINESS"Well, clearly, happiness and peace [don’t] come from the outside," he explained.
"It comes from inside all of us, and it’s there.You don’t have to create that.
But I think it’s removing the bad habits, removing the causes that make us feel bad ultimately.But we’re in control of our experience for sure.
We’re responsible for it.If you don’t like the way things are, you change it.
And all things are changeable.They’re changing a...