There’s something compelling about actors who step away from the spotlight while still commanding it. Carey Lowell is one of them: after six seasons as Assistant DA Jamie Ross on Law & Order, she chose family over the demanding schedule of one of television’s longest-running dramas.
Born: February 11, 1961 ·
Height: 5’10” (1.78 m) ·
Notable Role: Jamie Ross on Law & Order (1996–2001, 2022) ·
Marriage to Richard Gere: 2002–2016 ·
Children: 1 (with Richard Gere)
Quick snapshot
- Born in Huntington, New York on February 11, 1961 (Wikipedia)
- Played Assistant DA Jamie Ross on Law & Order from 1996 to 2001 (Wikipedia)
- Married Richard Gere in November 2002 (Gala magazine)
- Has one son with Richard Gere, born in 2000 (Gala magazine)
- Exact reasons for the divorce remain private (Gala magazine)
- Current precise location in New York area not publicly confirmed (Gala magazine)
- Exact net worth figure varies across sources (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Whether she has another child from a previous relationship (reported but not widely confirmed) (Wikipedia)
- Lowell met Richard Gere in 1996 (Gala magazine)
- Left Law & Order in 2001 to focus on family (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Divorce finalized in 2016 (Gala magazine)
- Returned to Law & Order for a guest appearance in 2022 (Wikipedia)
- She maintains a low public profile and lives in the New York area (Celebrity Net Worth)
- No announced acting projects as of 2025 (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Net worth estimated at $12 million by some sources (Celebrity Net Worth)
Seven key facts about Carey Lowell, one pattern: her career has three distinct stages — modeling breakout, film and television success, and a deliberate retreat into private life.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carey Lowell |
| Birth Date | February 11, 1961 |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, former model |
| Years Active | 1980s–present |
| Spouse | Richard Gere (m. 2002; div. 2016) |
| Children | 1 |
What happened between Richard Gere and Carey Lowell?
Carey Lowell met Richard Gere in 1996, and the couple married in a private ceremony in November 2002 (Gala magazine). Their son Homer James Jigme Gere was born in February 2000, before they married (Gala magazine). The marriage lasted 14 years; according to German Wikipedia sources, they separated in 2013 and the divorce was finalized on October 18, 2016 (German Wikipedia).
Did they have a child together?
Yes. Their son Homer James Jigme Gere was born on February 6, 2000 (Gala magazine). He is Lowell’s only child; she also has a child from a previous relationship with Griffin Dunne, according to Wikipedia (Wikipedia).
Why did Richard Gere leave Carey Lowell?
The exact reasons for their split have never been publicly disclosed. Both parties have kept the details private. What is known: they separated in 2013 and divorced in 2016 (German Wikipedia). Reports describe the divorce as amicable, but no official statements from either side confirm that.
For such a public couple, the Lowell-Gere marriage ended with remarkably little drama. The absence of legal filings or tabloid leaks suggests both actors prioritized their son’s privacy over a public narrative.
The implication: without a public statement, any reasoning remains speculation. What’s clear is that the split was a quiet one, consistent with Lowell’s overall preference for life outside the Hollywood spotlight.
Why did Carey Lowell leave Law & Order?
Lowell joined the cast of Law & Order in 1996 as Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross, a role she played for six seasons until 2001. According to Rotten Tomatoes, she left the series after two seasons to focus on motherhood (Rotten Tomatoes). Her son was born in 2000, and the timing lines up with her desire to spend more time with family.
What was her role on the show?
Jamie Ross was a recurring character who later became a series regular. She was an assistant district attorney working alongside Ben Stone and Jack McCoy. Lowell brought a combination of toughness and vulnerability that made the character a fan favorite (Wikipedia).
What happened to her character Jamie Ross?
After Lowell left in 2001, Jamie Ross was written out. The character returned for a guest appearance in the 2022 revival of the show (Wikipedia). Print magazine noted that Lowell reprised the role in the franchise reboot (Print magazine).
Lowell’s departure wasn’t a career stumble—it was a deliberate pivot. She walked away from a hit show at its peak to raise her child, a choice few actors in her position would make. That decision shaped everything that followed.
The pattern: Lowell consistently chose family over career when the two conflicted. Her Law & Order exit was the most visible example, but it defined the arc of her later life.
Where is Carey Lowell now?
As of 2025, Carey Lowell lives a low-profile life in the New York area. She has not remarried publicly and rarely gives interviews. She made a brief return to acting with a guest spot on the Law & Order revival in 2022, but no other projects have been announced.
Is Carey Lowell married now?
There is no public record of a current marriage. Her marital status remains private, consistent with her overall avoidance of the celebrity circuit.
What is she doing currently?
Lowell has stepped away from full-time acting. She has focused on personal pursuits and her son. Her last confirmed on-screen appearance was the 2022 Law & Order episode (Wikipedia).
The trade-off: Lowell’s visibility today is low, but that was the point. She traded screen time for a quiet life, a choice that seems deliberate rather than forced.
How much is Carey Lowell worth?
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Carey Lowell’s net worth at $12 million (Celebrity Net Worth). However, other sources vary, and exact figures are not publicly audited. Her wealth likely comes from years of modeling contracts, film salaries, and television residuals from Law & Order, which continues in syndication.
What is her main source of income?
Her primary income has historically been acting, with modeling providing early career earnings. The syndication rights for Law & Order add ongoing residuals. Additionally, any divorce settlement from Richard Gere may have contributed, but details were never disclosed.
How did she accumulate her wealth?
Lowell worked consistently from the 1980s through 2000s. Her modeling for Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren paid well, and her bond girl role in Licence to Kill boosted her profile. The six-year Law & Order stint provided steady, well-compensated work.
The $12 million figure is an estimate, not a verified fact. Celebrity Net Worth uses public data and industry averages. Without court documents or financial disclosures, any number is speculative. But compared to typical Law & Order regulars, the figure is within a plausible range.
What this means: even if the exact number is uncertain, Lowell’s financial situation is comfortable enough to allow her to stay out of the industry spotlight. She doesn’t need to work; she works because she chooses to.
Who did Richard Gere say was the love of his life?
There is no verified public recording or statement from Richard Gere explicitly calling Carey Lowell the love of his life. While some tabloid reports and fan forums suggest he made such remarks, no reliable primary source—interview, press conference, or official biography—documents the claim. Gere has been married three times: to Cindy Crawford (1991–1995), to Carey Lowell (2002–2016), and currently to Alejandra Silva (from 2018).
Why did Cindy Crawford leave Richard Gere?
Crawford and Gere divorced in 1995 after four years of marriage. Public reports cite differences in lifestyle and career demands. Crawford later said in interviews that the marriage was not what she expected at a young age (Rotten Tomatoes).
What is Richard Gere’s relationship history?
Gere has been married three times: Cindy Crawford (1991–1995), Carey Lowell (2002–2016), and Alejandra Silva (2018–present). The two earlier marriages ended in divorce. His relationship with Crawford was highly publicized; his marriage to Lowell was quieter, and his current marriage is the most private of all.
The implication: readers should treat the “love of his life” claim with skepticism. What is documented is that Lowell and Gere co-parented and separated without public conflict—evidence of respect, if not romantic permanence.
Timeline of Carey Lowell’s life and career
Eight key moments that map her trajectory from model to actress to private life.
- 1961: Born in Huntington, New York, to a geologist father.
- 1980s: Begins modeling career; works for Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren (Apple TV).
- 1989: Plays Bond girl Pam Bouvier in Licence to Kill (Wikipedia).
- 1996: Joins Law & Order as Assistant DA Jamie Ross (Wikipedia).
- 2000: Son Homer James Jigme Gere born (Gala magazine).
- 2001: Leaves Law & Order after six seasons (Rotten Tomatoes).
- 2002: Marries Richard Gere (Gala magazine).
- 2016: Divorce from Gere finalized (German Wikipedia).
- 2022: Returns to Law & Order for a guest appearance (Wikipedia).
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place (February 11, 1961, New York)
- Marriage to Richard Gere (2002) and divorce (2016)
- One son with Richard Gere
- Role as Jamie Ross on Law & Order
What’s unclear
- Exact reasons for divorce
- Current precise location
- Exact net worth figure
- Whether Richard Gere called her the love of his life
- Whether she has another child from a previous relationship
“She left the show after two seasons to focus on motherhood.”
Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator) on Lowell’s Law & Order departure
“Lowell met Richard Gere in 1996, and they married in November 2002.”
Gala magazine (French celebrity publication) on the couple’s timeline
“Lowell’s father was a petroleum exploration geologist, and she was raised in Lakewood, Colorado.”
Apple TV (streaming platform) biography
Carey Lowell’s career is a study in knowing when to step back. From Calvin Klein campaigns to a Bond film to a defining television role, she reached significant milestones—then walked away when family called. For the typical viewer who remembers her as Jamie Ross, the takeaway is that she chose a full private life over a public one. For aspiring actors, the lesson is that longevity isn’t always measured in screen time. For those curious about Richard Gere’s ex-partners, Lowell remains the one who left the spotlight first and stayed out longest.
es.wikipedia.org, vi.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, lt.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
What movies did Carey Lowell star in besides Law & Order?
She appeared in Licence to Kill (1989), Fierce Creatures (1997), The Guardian, and Me and Him, among others.
How tall is Carey Lowell?
She is 5’10” (1.78 m) tall.
Who are Carey Lowell’s parents?
Her father was a petroleum exploration geologist. Her mother’s name is not widely publicized. She was raised in Lakewood, Colorado (Apple TV).
What happened to Carey Lowell’s acting career after Law & Order?
She effectively retired from full-time acting. Her only subsequent role was a guest appearance on the Law & Order revival in 2022.
Is Carey Lowell active on social media?
No. She does not maintain any public social media accounts.
What is Carey Lowell’s educational background?
She attended the University of Colorado before transferring to New York University to study drama (Apple TV).
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Daniel Campbell is Editor-in-Chief at True North Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.