Anderson Cooper Reveals How Richard Gere Helped Him Embrace His Homosexuality: ‘I Found Myself Speechless’

Anderson Cooper, the host of Anderson Cooper 360°, has shared a personal story about his journey to accepting his sexuality.

During an interview with Andy Cohen on Radio Andy, Cooper discussed how meeting Richard Gere without his shirt on at the age of 11 made him realize that he was gay.

The conversation took place at the iconic Stonewall Inn in New York City.

Cooper reminisced about his childhood and the influence of his mother's gay friends, including Truman Capote, Gore Vidal, and photographer Paul Jasmin.

He vividly recalled a time when Jasmin and his boyfriend took him to see the play Bent, starring Richard Gere.

The play revolves around two gay men in a concentration camp, and the opening scene left a lasting impression on Cooper.

As he described the scene, Cooper expressed how it resonated with him deeply.

He saw a man leaving a bed n^ked and then putting on an SS uniform after spending the night with another man.

It was during this moment that Cooper realized his own s**ual orientation.

Cooper also shared a memory of visiting Gere backstage, where he found himself unable to speak due to his admiration for the actor's physique.

Years later, when Cooper interviewed Gere, he brought along the Playbill from that night and shared the story, ultimately getting it signed by the actor.

Cooper, who is currently co-parenting his two sons with his ex-partner Benjamin Maisani, has always believed that love can continue even after an intimate relationship ends.

In a previous interview with PEOPLE, he emphasized the importance of maintaining love and respect for someone you once shared a romantic connection with.

Anderson Cooper's candid revelation about his s**ual awakening highlights the impact that influential figures and personal experiences can have on one's journey towards self-discovery and acceptance.

The story serves as a reminder that embracing one's true self requires introspection, support, and the ability to recognize pivotal moments of realization.