Veteran star Richard Gere defends his 90’s statement against Oscars regulation

Oscars are the most coveted awards in the global film industry. Meanwhile, the Academy had banned the actor for being off-script in 1993.

Notably, the most respected Hollywood star Richard Gere, renowned for American Gigolo, has never won an Oscar.

The 76-year-old added a political view on what he claimed the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese government.

The Statements were spontaneous and came during his presentation for the Best Art Direction award.

Decades later, the actor defended his speech, telling Variety, "I didn't think there was anything wrong with that situation. I do what I do, and I certainly don't mean to hurt anybody."

Although Richard returned to the Academy Awards in 2013, where he added a sarcastic punch, "It seems that if you stay long enough, they forget that they have banned you."

Notably, the earlier comment stemmed from his views on Buddhism. Recently, the star served as an executive producer on Wisdom of Happiness.

The movie features the Dalai Lama, who is also his friend and a spiritual leader of Buddhists in Tibet.

“I’ve never worked this hard to get a film that I’ve been associated with to be seen in the world,” he said.

“I think this is important enough that I have to give my last bit of energy to put this out there for people to see. At the very least, it will put a seed in the minds of people who see it.”

For the unknown, Wisdom of Happiness was previously released in theaters on October 16.