While long-lasting relationships in Hollywood are rare, some friendships have truly stood the test of time. Notable examples include Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, and Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore. While some celebrities entered the entertainment industry around the same time, others met on a film set — a group that includes Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
The pair became friends after starring together in the 1990 classic Pretty Woman, which tells the story of Vivian and Edward, a prostitute and a wealthy businessman who meet, fall in love, and attempt to bridge the gap between their worlds. The film was, and remains, a massive hit, largely thanks to the undeniable on-screen magic between Roberts and Gere. That chemistry eventually brought them back together nearly a decade later in the romantic comedy Runaway Bride.
More than 30 years after Pretty Woman, their friendship is stronger than ever. Roberts has celebrated Gere’s birthdays on social media, while he has reflected on how captivated he was when they first met. Anyone who has seen their films or interviews can recognize the powerful chemistry between them, something that even director Garry Marshall commented on. He observed that chemistry is impossible to fake in cinema, recalling how the instant spark between Gere and Roberts was obvious from the very beginning.
He added that when two people kiss, the audience knows whether or not the chemistry is there, and with Richard and Julia, it was great. Marshall also said he saw the two of them at the end of a room just looking at each other, and he immediately realized they didn’t even know one another.
However, despite this undeniable connection on screen, the two actors never dated in real life. What has endured instead is a deep and lasting friendship spanning decades. Gere once reflected that he and Roberts would always be connected, and both have described their time on Pretty Woman as an unforgettable experience.
Roberts has revealed that she literally begged Gere to be her co-star after he repeatedly turned down the role. She and director Garry Marshall even flew to New York to meet with him so she could persuade him in person. During that meeting, she tried to charm him with kindness and persistence before finally pleading with him to accept the part.
Gere, known for being a thoughtful and selective actor, eventually agreed — a decision that not only gave the world one of the most iconic romantic films of all time but also sparked a lifelong friendship between the two stars.
