Ms. Milam,

I went to high school with Dick Gere. To help authenticate this message let me tell you a few things about him that will prove me legit. He graduated from North Syracuse Central High School, in North Syracuse NY in 1967. I was a member of the class of 68.

It was a large school an I cannot say that I had any great friendship with him more than a nod in the hall. He used to stake out the end of the halls and watch the crowd flow by. He was a reasonably good gymnast which in my opinion led directly to his initial contact with the stage. I was the resident sound technician for most of the dramatic productions staged at the school.

In Dick's Senior year. The drama club mounted one of its largest productions-The King and I. Staging a musical of that magnitude with a high school cast gave the director, Ms. Elaine Sheudenfrei (sp) many headaches. One of the bright spots was a fortunate coincidence of having the state champions of gymnastic floor exercise, Nate & Dave Perry enrolled. They were convinced to help stage the complicated "circus performance" that takes place within the musical. They also suggested that Dick Gere be approached to audition for the part of the King, "since he looked good with his shirt off". They did...he did...and the rest is history. I've always felt that the huge success of that first high school experience helped whet his curiosity and enthusiasm for the stage.

It was years later that while sitting in a theater viewing "American Gigolo" that I realized that Richard Gere was Dick Gere of North Syracuse High School. His Dad,by the way, owned an insurance agency in North Syracuse, during Dick's early years. I hope this little tidbit helps fill in some gaps.

All the best-Mike

Mike,

Thank you so much for this story. I've tried to email you back, several times. However, all of the replies have bounced back to me.

Marilynn

Have an interesting Richard Gere tidbit? Let me know.