Richard Gere, 75, reveals he'd 'love to be Italian' after growing up in New York as he promotes latest film Oh, Canada in Europe

Richard Gere has revealed that he'd 'love to be Italian' and 'loves Italy' after growing up in New York.

The actor, 75, appeared on Italian chat show Che tempo che fa in Milan on Sunday night to discuss his latest film, titled Oh, Canada directed by Paul Schrader. 

Speaking on the show he said: 'I love Italy, if I could I would be Italian.

'I grew up in a small town in upstate New York, the only cool kids were Italians, very elegant, wonderful shoes, they had this way of moving... 

'We all wanted to be Italian!'

Oh, Canada marks the return of Gere and Schrader's collaboration 44 years after the iconic American Gigolo.

The film is set for release on January 16, 2025, following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. 

It comes just a couple of weeks after the veteran actor announced he would be relocating to Spain with his wife, Alejandra Silva, 41, and family after years of living in the United States.

The Pretty Woman actor revealed that he would be out of the country and in the Spanish capital of Madrid in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with Alejandra's loved ones.

Sharing the major move on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Richard began by joking: 'My wife is Spanish. Is this a problem for anybody out there?'.

He then announced: 'But my wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here, so we're going to spend some years in Madrid.'

'Our kids are bilingual so they're going to flourish there,' he continued.

Richard and Alejandra, who wed in 2018, share two sons together - Alexander, five, and James, four.

In addition, the Hollywood A-lister is stepfather to the Spanish activist's 11-year-son, Albert and he is also the proud dad of son Homer, 24, whom he welcomed with his second wife, actress Carey Lowell.

Richard did confirm that he won't be quitting America forever and added: 'Of course I'll be back.'

Speaking about his family, the Chicago star gushed: 'I love my wife, she's incredible. Great mother. Kids are healthy and happy. Of course, there's nothing more than that.'

Turning his attention to their Thanksgiving plans, he continued: 'My wife grew up in a big Spanish family, like a big Italian family, and her grandmother was kind of the glue that held that all together.

'And the grandmother passed away [about] two years ago, so my wife, I can see her morphing into the new grandmother of this extended family. So she’s already planning for 35 people for Sunday lunches.'