Richard Gere’s Shirtless Appearance Sparked Anderson Cooper’s Realization

Anderson Cooper, a renowned CNN anchor and journalist, had a pivotal moment in his life when he was just 11 years old.

Attending a Broadway show called Bent, which centered around the story of two gay men in a concentration camp, Cooper experienced a revelation about his own sexuality, thanks to a shirtless Richard Gere on stage.

During a recent conversation with his friend Andy Cohen on Radio Andy, Cooper reminisced about that fateful day.

Witnessing the opening scene of the play, where a n^ked man wakes up after spending the night with another man and then dons an SS uniform, triggered a profound realization within young Anderson.

Recalling the moment, Cooper expressed, “And I just remember being like, ‘Oh my God, I'm gay.

…

I'm totally gay.'

It is the gayest thing you can imagine.”

The year was 1977, and Richard Gere's portrayal in the play Looking for Mr. Goodbar left a lasting impression on a mesmerized Cooper.

The sheer beauty and presence of Gere struck a chord with the budding realization of his own identity.

Cooper shared the experience from Stonewall Inn in New York City, where he vividly recollected attending the show with photographer Paul Jasmin and Jasmin's boyfriend, who were close friends of Cooper's mother, Gloria Vanderbilt.

Following the performance, they had the opportunity to meet Gere backstage, an encounter etched in Cooper's memory.

Reflecting on the moment he met Gere in person, Cooper humorously admitted, “I couldn't speak.

And I had my Playbill and I wanted to get him to autograph it, but I was too — I just couldn't stop staring at his chest.”

Fast forward a decade later, during an interview with Gere, Cooper seized the chance to share this anecdote.

Pulling out the same Playbill from their first meeting, he recounted the story to Gere, who was notably amused by the nostalgic tale.

Radio Andy, a popular program that delves into pop culture, music, and news, airs on Sirius XM's channel 102.

To catch a glimpse of Anderson Cooper fondly recalling his encounter with Richard Gere, listeners can tune in to the show.

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