Being homeless is something no one would want. Everyone goes through difficult periods in their lives, and many face financial struggles.
Homeless people often go unnoticed by many of us. We either choose to avoid them or simply don’t see them. It means the world to them when someone acknowledges their existence. Ultimately, we are all human and deserve the same respect and value.
French tourist Karine Gombeau was in New York when she encountered a man she thought was homeless, rummaging through trash cans. She offered him some leftover pizza, thinking he could use a meal.
Little did she know, the man was not homeless at all.
A few days later, Karine discovered the man’s true identity in the news. Although this story made headlines years ago, its message remains important and worth sharing.
In April 2014, while visiting New York with her family, Karine had some leftover pizza from a pizzeria. Spotting a tired man sifting through garbage cans, she approached him and offered him the pizza.
She recounted to Today, “I said, ‘Je suis désolée (I am sorry), but the pizza is cold,’ but the man seemed happy and grateful.
Karine and the man parted ways without much thought.
It wasn’t until two days later.
A hotel staff member approached Karine with a newspaper featuring a photo of her with the man. To her surprise, the headline revealed the man’s true identity—Richard Gere, the Hollywood star himself. She was in disbelief.
Gere was preparing for his role in “Time Out of Mind,” where he portrayed a homeless man. To immerse himself in the character, he had spent time disguised as a homeless person on New York’s streets, as reported by Today.
Gere’s managers expressed to Today, “She was a complete stranger who saw him acting. It’s a beautiful story.”
Karine’s act of kindness led to an unexpected encounter and an unforgettable story. She serves as an inspiration to all.
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