At 75, Richard Gere continues to look back fondly on one of the most memorable partnerships of his career: his friendship with Julia Roberts. Their chemistry in Pretty Woman turned the pair into one of Hollywood’s most iconic screen duos, and decades later, fans remain fascinated by what happened behind the scenes.
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Gere has spoken warmly about Roberts on several occasions, making it clear that their connection was genuine and lasting. In a 2017 interview, he said that he and Roberts would “always be connected,” describing their experience making Pretty Woman as something they would never forget.
Their first meeting was particularly important. Roberts was still a rising actress when she auditioned for Pretty Woman, and Gere initially had reservations about accepting the role. According to Roberts, she wrote “Please say yes!” on a Post-it note and handed it to him while he was speaking with director Garry Marshall. Gere ultimately agreed to take the part.
The result became one of the defining romantic comedies of the 1990s. The pair later reunited for Runaway Bride, strengthening their reputation as a successful onscreen team. Despite the romantic roles they played, both stars have consistently described their real-life relationship as friendship rather than romance.
Gere also reflected on their famous chemistry during a 2024 appearance at the Venice Film Festival. While watching the iconic piano scene from Pretty Woman, he jokingly claimed there was “no chemistry” between them before acknowledging how sexy the scene was. He also revealed that the piano sequence was improvised and eventually became an important part of the movie.