Actor Richard Gere was honored yesterday, November 12, for his dedication to Tibetan Independence and improving care for those living with HIV/AIDS (Associated Press/ap.google.com, 11/13).

The 58-year-old Buddhist actor, known for roles in films such as An Officer and a Gentleman, Unfaithful and Chicago, founded Healing the Divide, a public AIDS charity, and a philanthropic human rights organization bearing his name.

He was presented with the Marian Anderson Award, named after the famed 1930s black opera singer, at a gala held last night at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.

“I’m not worthy of this award in any way whatsoever,” Gere says. “I can’t tell you how this makes me feel. My heart is so wide open.”