RICHARD GERE MAKES BRIEF STOP IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

Movie actor Richard Gere, 51, made a three-hour stop in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday, signing autographs at the regional airport before a driver whisked him away.

A woman who asked not to be identified said Gere eventually told fans that they were crowding him. She and others at the airport characterized him as unfriendly.

His New York publicist, Jennifer Glaisek, said Gere was "in Missouri on personal business, and we don't comment on that."

She denied reports that Gere was here to sign legal papers or to scout out a movie location.

Gere returned to the airport around 4 p.m. in the back seat of a dark green sport utility vehicle with tinted windows. He started to get out in front of the Air Evac building but apparently noted reporters standing nearby. His driver then went through the gate and straight up to a jet, where two pilots were waiting.

The last Hollywood celebrity sighting at the airport was in May 1999, when Kate Capshaw dropped off her daughter, Jessica, to attend a relative's funeral in Chaffee. Oscar-winner Tom Hanks, the star of "Saving Private Ryan," "Philadelphia" and other critically acclaimed hits, was on the jet and disembarked to use the courtesy phone at Air Evac.

He, too, signed autographs, and one still hangs in the Air Evac waiting area.

Gere, co-star of the box office smash "Pretty Woman," more recently starred in "Dr. T and the Women."