Richard Gere has revealed the reason why he has been dropped from major Hollywood pictures.

Best known for starring in films such as Pretty Woman and An Officer and A Gentleman, Gere has said his public criticism of China's occupation of Tibet has cost him roles in big budget films, as his stance would turn off Chinese audiences.

Instead Gere was left to seek smaller-scale roles in films such as The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Shall We Dance.

"There are definitely movies that I can't be in because the Chinese will say, 'not with him', " he told The Hollywood Reporter.

"I recently had an episode where someone said they could not finance a film with me because it would upset the Chinese."

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The actor first spoke out about China's totalitarian regime on the Oscars red carpet in 1993, arguably kick-starting the Awards' political protest movement.

Invited to present the award for best art direction, he took the opportunity to berate China's occupation of Tibet, labelling it a "horrendous, horrendous human rights situation".

Gere was subsequently banned for life from China – but he didn't stop there.

Ben Hider Getty Images

Despite what it's cost him, the actor has continued to support his friend Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet, calling for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

He even set up The Gere Foundation in New York to help victims of the regime.

Luckily, Gere's at peace with being left out of blockbusters.

"I'm not interested in playing the wizened Jedi in your tentpole," he added. "I was successful enough in the last three decades that I can afford to do these [smaller films] now."

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