Richard Gere has recently begun dating Padma Lakshmi, according to Page Six.

“They have been quietly spending some time together. It is all very new and recent, and happened while he has been filming in New York,” a source told the publication.

“It’s the first time Padma has dated anyone since Teddy [Forstmann], and it’s something she’s been approaching very, very delicately. They’re just getting to know each other. They’re just having fun,” a source told Us Weekly.

Gere, 64, is in the process of divorcing Carey Lowell, a former actress and model whom he married in 2002. They were together for seven years prior to marrying. The two have a 14-year-old son, Homer.

News of the separation broke in September 2013 and according to sources, Gere and Lowell had “been spending time apart for quite some time.”

“They have a place in Bedford [NY], and he likes it because it’s quiet and he likes the solitude,” said the source. “She likes being in North Haven in the limelight. They live next door to Jimmy Buffett and his family, and they’re good friends.”

Gere was married to supermodel Cindy Crawford from 1991 to 1995. Lowell was married twice prior to her marriage to Gere and has a 24-year-old daughter from her second marriage.

Lakshmi, 43, is known for her role as host of the Emmy Award-winning reality show Top Chef. Besides hosting the show since 2006, Lakshmi has written several cookbooks in addition to stints as a model and actress.

Go @PadmaLakshmi ! Get it girl! Buying ASAP pic.twitter.com/wxHusBgmup

— Kara Guinn (@karagschilling) January 5, 2014

In 2004 she famously married the well-known and often controversial novelist Salman Rushdie. Like Lakshmi, Rushie was born in India. The two divorced three years later.

Lakshmi has a three-year-old daughter, Krishna, with ex Adam Dell, brother of computer icon Michael Dell.

Lakshmi dated billionaire Teddy Forstmann for several years until his death in November 2011 and the two were together when her daughter was born.

Gere is currently filming Time Out of Mind in New York City. He plays a homeless man who attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Jena Malone.)

2014. The year of dreams fulfilled. Here's me and Richard Gere after our scene in #TimeOutOfMind http://t.co/i5vxXMPdyR

— Miranda Bailey (@ambushent) April 3, 2014

Gere has said he’s been fascinated with the project for years:

“It is a profoundly human story that we are determined to make into a powerful film that speaks to everyone.”

Prior to filming Time Out of Mind, Gere was busy with Franny, Henry & Me, and the sequel to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Image via Wikimedia Commons