Imagine a legendary actor unexpectedly crashing a live TV segment, leaving a seasoned anchor visibly flustered and the audience in stitches. That’s exactly what happened when Richard Gere made a surprise appearance on the Today show, turning a routine segment into a hilariously memorable moment. But here’s where it gets even more entertaining: the 76-year-old rom-com icon didn’t just show up—he strategically sat right next to Savannah Guthrie during the show’s Pop Start segment, causing her to jokingly fan herself and quip, 'Is it getting hot in here?'
On Thursday, Oct. 16, Gere visited the Today show to discuss his latest project, Wisdom of Happiness, a film he executive produced in collaboration with the Dalai Lama. But this is the part most people miss: instead of waiting for his scheduled interview, Gere decided to join the show’s anchors—Jenna Bush Hager, Dylan Dreyer, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, and Carson Daly—earlier in the broadcast, adding an unexpected twist to their entertainment segment.
As Gere made his way across the studio, Melvin couldn’t resist teasing Guthrie, saying, 'It’s hard for Savannah to keep her concentration right now.' Guthrie, visibly flustered but playing along, greeted Gere with a warm yet slightly chaotic, 'Oh, look, come sit down. Hi, Richard Gere.' The playful tension was palpable, and it only escalated from there.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Gere later playfully called out Guthrie for having to leave before his interview, revealing she was scheduled to catch a flight to Tucson, Arizona, for another Today segment. 'Did you come here for her? For Savannah?' Bush Hager asked, to which Gere cheekily replied, 'Yes! I thought, well, at least I’m going to come over and sit with her for a second before she leaves.' But here’s the twist: Guthrie’s flight ended up being delayed, allowing her to stay and conduct the interview alongside Melvin. Was it fate, or just a lucky break for Gere? You decide.
Throughout the segment, Gere kept the banter light and humorous, teasing Guthrie about not having seen his film yet and jokingly instructing her to 'call me afterwards' when she mentioned watching it during her travels. And this is the part that sparks debate: while the interaction was clearly all in good fun, it raises the question—how do professionals balance spontaneity with structure on live TV? Is there a fine line between playful chaos and disrupting the flow of a show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Of course, the playful chemistry between Gere and Guthrie was entirely platonic. Guthrie has been happily married to Mike Feldman since 2014, and Gere tied the knot with publicist Alejandra Silva in 2018. Still, the moment served as a reminder of Gere’s timeless charm and ability to light up any room—or TV segment—he walks into. Don’t miss out on more stories like this—sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay updated on the latest celebrity news and compelling human interest stories. (https://people.com/people-news-daily-newsletter-sign-up-8692701)
