
Carey Lowell: Her Life, Career, and Divorce from Richard Gere
There’s something about actors who walk away from fame at its peak — or, in Carey Lowell’s case, quietly step back while the cameras were still on. She went from modeling for Calvin Klein to firing a rocket launcher as a Bond girl in Licence to Kill, then settled into the steady rhythms of a New York courtroom as ADA Jamie Ross on Law & Order. This article traces her career arc, the details of her marriage and divorce from Richard Gere, and what she’s doing now.
Born: February 11, 1961 ·
Known for: ADA Jamie Ross on Law & Order ·
Marriage to Richard Gere: 2002–2013 (separated 2013, divorced finalized 2016) ·
Child with Richard Gere: Son, Homer James Jigme Gere (born 2000) ·
Net worth (estimated): $8 million
Quick snapshot
- Started as a fashion model for Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren (IMDb biography)
- Played Bond girl Pam Bouvier in Licence to Kill (1989) (Wikipedia)
- Portrayed ADA Jamie Ross on Law & Order from 1996 to 2001 (Apple TV profile)
- Exact amount of the divorce settlement is not public
- Specific reasons for the divorce beyond “amicable” not confirmed
- Returned to Law & Order in 2022 after 16-year gap (Wikipedia)
8 key facts, one pattern: Carey Lowell’s career shows a deliberate move from high-glamour roles toward grounded, long-form television — and her personal life mirrors that shift toward privacy.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carey Lowell |
| Date of Birth | February 11, 1961 |
| Place of Birth | New York City, New York, USA |
| Profession | Actress, former model |
| Notable Role | ADA Jamie Ross, Law & Order |
| Spouse (most recent) | Richard Gere (m. 2002; div. 2016) |
| Children | 1 son (Homer Gere) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $8 million |
The pattern: Lowell’s wealth, estimated at $8 million by entertainment finance trackers, reflects decades of steady TV residuals rather than a single blockbuster payday — a quieter fortune than her ex-husband’s, but built on her own terms.
What Happened Between Richard Gere and Carey Lowell?
Divorce timeline and legal proceedings
Richard Gere and Carey Lowell married in November 2002, but by September 2013 they had separated, according to Wikipedia’s biography of Lowell. The divorce proceedings, filed in New York Supreme Court, were described as “highly contested” and dragged on for roughly three years before a settlement was reached in October 2016.
IMDb’s biographical notes list the marriage as lasting from November 9, 2002 to October 18, 2016 — a total of nearly 14 years. The gap between separation and final decree suggests substantial legal wrangling over assets.
Key reasons for the separation
Neither Gere nor Lowell gave a public statement detailing why the marriage ended. Reports at the time from People magazine (entertainment news outlet) described the split as amicable, but Lowell’s legal filing in October 2016 was described in a statement to TMZ (celebrity news site) as a “highly contested” case. The contradiction between “amicable” and “highly contested” is itself revealing: public posture versus courtroom reality.
A marriage that began with a lavish Buddhist ceremony in upstate New York ended with lawyers fighting in New York Supreme Court — the same legal system Lowell’s character Jamie Ross worked in for eight seasons.
The implication: Lowell’s divorce from Gere matches a broader pattern in celebrity law: public amiability rarely matches the intensity of private litigation.
How Much Did Carey Lowell Get From Richard Gere?
Divorce settlement details
Reports from Radar Online (celebrity news outlet) suggested a multimillion-dollar settlement, but exact figures were never confirmed by either party. Because New York divorce records are not fully public unless one party contests and the case goes to trial — and this one settled — the terms remain sealed.
Carey Lowell net worth
Entertainment finance sites such as Celebrity Net Worth (financial estimates site) place Lowell’s net worth at approximately $8 million. That figure likely includes her Law & Order residuals, her work as a model, and whatever portion of the marital assets she received in the settlement.
The implication: Without a public settlement number, the $8 million estimate is a floor, not a ceiling. For anyone researching celebrity divorces in New York, the lesson is that “amicable” settlements can still involve significant wealth transfers — they’re just not published on the docket.
If Gere or Lowell ever sells a property jointly owned during the marriage, the transaction records will reveal the financial terms their legal teams fought over for three years.
Did Carey Lowell Have a Child With Richard Gere?
Homer James Jigme Gere
Yes — Lowell and Gere have one son, Homer James Jigme Gere, born on February 6, 2000, before they married, as documented by Wikipedia. Homer attended Brown University, according to reports from Daily Mail (UK tabloid).
Co-parenting after divorce
Both Lowell and Gere have maintained a public silence about their co-parenting arrangement. Given that Homer was 13 when his parents separated and 16 when the divorce was finalized, the custody and financial support structures would have been determined by New York family court standards — typically 17% of the higher-earner’s income for one child.
Why this matters: Homer Gere, now in his mid-20s, has largely stayed out of the public eye. For tabloid readers who wonder whether the child of a Bond girl and a Hollywood A-lister will also pursue acting, the answer so far appears to be no.
Is Carey Lowell Still Married?
Marriages and relationships
Carey Lowell has not remarried since her divorce from Richard Gere, according to current biographical records from Wikipedia. She was previously married to photographer John Stember from 1984 to 1988, and to actor Griffin Dunne from 1989 to 1995. Lowell and Dunne had a daughter, Hannah.
Life after Richard Gere
Since the divorce, Lowell has lived primarily in New York and focused on her ceramic art practice. She maintains a low media profile — no paparazzi-chased relationships, no reality TV appearances, no tell-all interviews.
Lowell chose professional privacy over the celebrity exposure that would have come from monetizing her divorce narrative. For other women exiting high-profile marriages, her path represents a clear alternative to the tell-all book or reality show route.
The pattern: Three marriages across 30 years, each ending without drawn-out public recriminations. For actors navigating fame and family, Lowell’s example is one of quiet exit — not every split needs a public diagnosis.
What Is Carey Lowell Best Known For?
Role on Law & Order
Lowell played Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross on Law & Order from 1996 to 2001. Her first appearance was in the 1996 episode “Causa Mortis,” according to Apple TV’s profile of the actress. She left the show after two seasons — though she appeared in a total of 67 episodes — to spend more time with her daughter.
Lowell reprised the role for Law & Order: Trial by Jury in 2005, and later returned to the original series in 2022 when the show resumed for its 21st season, as Wikipedia documents. She also appeared as Jamie Ross on Homicide: Life on the Street in a crossover episode.
Bond girl in Licence to Kill
In 1989’s Licence to Kill, Lowell played Pam Bouvier, a pilot and CIA agent who becomes James Bond’s ally. The role stands out because Bouvier is one of the more capable Bond girls — she saves Bond’s life and handles weapons competently. Fandango’s biography of Lowell notes this was her first major film role.
Modeling career
Before acting, Lowell modeled for major designers including Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, as IMDb’s biography records. She was named Female Star of Tomorrow at the 1989 ShoWest Convention, per TV Guide’s bio of the actress.
The pattern: Lowell’s career shows a clear arc: fashion’s visual demands, then Hollywood’s explosive action, then television’s steady character work. Each phase required a different skill set, and she transitioned between them without losing her audience.
What Is Carey Lowell Doing Now?
Recent projects
Lowell returned to Law & Order in 2022 for the show’s 21st season, appearing in the episode “The Right Thing” as Jamie Ross. The return marked her first acting credit since 2010, according to IMDb’s filmography.
Ceramics hobby
Lowell has developed a practice as a ceramic artist, working from a studio in New York. She has not publicly exhibited or sold her work through commercial galleries, treating the craft as a private pursuit rather than a second career.
Public appearances
She rarely attends red-carpet events or gives interviews. Her social media presence is minimal — she does not maintain a verified public Instagram account, as confirmed by platform searches. This level of privacy is unusual for an actor with her resume, and it appears intentional.
For anyone wondering “whatever happened to” the Bond girl from Licence to Kill, the answer is that Carey Lowell chose a different kind of spotlight entirely — clay, not cameras.
Why this matters: In an era where actors are expected to maintain constant public presence through Instagram and TikTok, Lowell’s retreat into private life is itself a career statement — one that says fame is a tool, not an identity.
Timeline
- — Carey Lowell born in New York City.
- — Works as a top model for Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.
- — Plays Bond girl Pam Bouvier in Licence to Kill.
- — Stars as Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross on Law & Order.
- — Son Homer James Jigme Gere is born.
- — Marries Richard Gere.
- — Separates from Richard Gere.
- — Divorce from Richard Gere is finalized.
- — Returns to Law & Order for its 21st season.
Clarity check: Confirmed vs. unclear
Confirmed facts
- Carey Lowell was married to Richard Gere from 2002 to 2016.
- They have one son together, Homer James Jigme Gere.
- She played ADA Jamie Ross on Law & Order.
- She was a Bond girl in Licence to Kill.
- She modeled for Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.
- She returned to Law & Order in 2022.
What’s unclear
- Exact monetary amount of the divorce settlement
- Specific reasons for the divorce, beyond “amicable” separation
- Whether she will continue acting or focus solely on ceramics
Quotes from reliable sources
Lowell is best known for playing New York Assistant DA Jamie Ross on Law & Order.
— Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
The divorce proceedings were highly contested and lasted about three years in New York Supreme Court.
— Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)
Lowell landed the role of assistant district attorney Jamie Ross on Law & Order. Her first appearance was in the 1996 episode Causa Mortis.
The documentary record on Carey Lowell is thin compared to A-list celebrities of her era. No memoir, no extensive press tour, no tell-all podcast. The available facts come from court filings, Wikipedia edits, and the quiet accumulation of IMDb credits.
The trade-off: For readers who value their own privacy, Lowell’s life after fame offers a proof of concept: you can step away without a formal announcement, without a farewell tour, without apology. For celebrity journalists, her story is a reminder that not every public figure wants their divorce settlement quoted in headlines.
For a deeper look at Carey Lowells career and personal life, including her iconic role on Law & Order and her marriage to Richard Gere, check out this detailed article.
Frequently asked questions
What happened between Carey Lowell and Richard Gere?
They married in 2002, separated in 2013, and finalized a contested divorce in 2016. The exact reasons for the split were not publicly disclosed.
How much did Carey Lowell get from Richard Gere in the divorce?
The settlement amount was not publicly disclosed. Reports suggested a multimillion-dollar figure, but no official confirmation exists.
Did Carey Lowell have a child with Richard Gere?
Yes. Their son Homer James Jigme Gere was born on February 6, 2000. He attended Brown University.
What is Carey Lowell best known for?
She is best known for playing ADA Jamie Ross on Law & Order (1996–2001) and for playing Bond girl Pam Bouvier in Licence to Kill (1989).
What is Carey Lowell doing now?
She returned to Law & Order for its 21st season in 2022 and maintains a private life as a ceramic artist in New York.
Is Carey Lowell still married?
No. She has not remarried since her divorce from Richard Gere. She was previously married to photographer John Stember and actor Griffin Dunne.
What was Richard Gere’s diagnosis?
There is no verified public record of a significant medical diagnosis for Richard Gere. Any claims about a “tragic diagnosis” should be treated as unconfirmed.
What movies has Carey Lowell been in?
Her film credits include Licence to Kill (1989), Club Paradise (1986), Me and Him (1988), and Leather Jackets (1992).
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