The FX series ‘The Shards’ recently included a subtle but significant reference to ‘American Gigolo,’ the 1980 film starring Richard Gere. The moment occurs in episodes 6 and 7, when a character named Robert, played by Homer Gere, references Ferdinando Scarfiotti, the production designer of ‘American Gigolo.’
Homer Gere, son of Richard Gere and actor Carey Lowell, is cast opposite Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. The casting itself drew attention due to the parallel between Homer Gere’s father and Kaia Gerber’s mother, who were previously married.
Executive producer Brad Simpson stated that the inclusion of the ‘American Gigolo’ reference was not a deliberate casting choice but rather a serendipitous development. Simpson explained that the casting process for ‘The Shards’ involved traditional auditions where actors were considered for various roles based on chemistry and screen tests. He noted that while Homer Gere’s familial connection was known, his charisma and ability to portray mystery became apparent during the audition process.
Simpson added that the show aimed to incorporate references specific to the 1980s, and the Scarfiotti callback emerged organically. He anticipates that younger viewers may not recognize the reference, comparing it to generational awareness seen with actors from famous Hollywood families, such as Michael Douglas and Kirk Douglas. The specific scene involves a float designed for a character, which sparks the 'American Gigolo' production designer reference from Robert.