40 Down

NYT Daily ? September 22, 2025

Richard of "Pretty Woman"

Answer:

GERE

Hint:

This actor also starred as a lawyer in Primal Fear and a dance instructor in Shall We Dance?—think of his last name.

Explanation:

This clue refers to the actor Richard Gere, who starred as the male lead in the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman opposite Julia Roberts. The name "Richard" is his first name, and the movie title in quotes is the hint pointing directly to him. Since crossword answers are usually short, the last name "GERE" fits the space.

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General solving tip

A question mark usually flags wordplay or a non-literal reading. Expect a pun, a twist, or a definition that's one step removed from the surface meaning.

More tips → General Hints