- Richard began acting in the 1970s, and came to prominence in 1980 for his role in the film American Gigolo, which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol.
- Richard went on to star in several hit films including An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, Primal Fear, and Chicago, for which he won a Golden Globe Award as Best Actor, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the Best Cast.
- In 1967, he graduated from North Syracuse Central High School, where he excelled at gymnastics and music, playing the trumpet.
- Richard's first major acting role was in the original London stage version of Grease in 1973.
- Richard's acting career took off with the film American Gigolo, followed by the romantic drama An Officer and a Gentleman, which grossed almost $130 million in 1982.
- Richard's career was later somewhat resurrected after the release of both Internal Affairs and Pretty Woman in 1990.
- People magazine named Richard the "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1999.
- In 2002, he appeared in three major releases: the horror thriller The Mothman Prophecies, the drama Unfaithful, and the Academy Award-winning film version of Chicago, for which he won a Golden Globe as "Best Actor - Comedy or Musical".
- Richard's 2004 ballroom dancing drama, Shall We Dance, was also a solid performer which grossed $170 million worldwide.
- Most recently, Richard co-starred with Diane Lane in the romantic drama Nights in Rodanthe, released in 2008.
- Richard was presented with a Khata by the 14th Dalai Lama.
- Richard was married to supermodel Cindy Crawford from 1991 to 1995.
- Richard is a practicing Buddhist and an active supporter of the Dalai Lama.
- Richard is also a persistent advocate for human rights in Tibet. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet.
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