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Hollywood veteran Richard Gere was hurt by the lack of Academy recognition for his performance in hit movie musical "Chicago" after watching all of his famous co-stars earn Oscars praise for their work in the film.

The actor, 63, admits he has never paid much attention to awards news, but when his pals Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah, Renee Zellweger and John C. Reilly all landed nominations in the run-up to the 2003 Oscars, he felt more than a little left out by the snub.

In an interview on "The View," which aired on Friday, Gere, who played singing and dancing lawyer-for-hire Billy Flynn in the film, said, "The only time it really bothered me was in 'Chicago.' Everyone else got nominated. I'm waiting for my name [to be read out in the nominations] and it goes right by me, like, 'Wow, what happened?' I have to admit, that got to me."

Zeta-Jones was the only one to claim gold at the ceremony, while the film also landed five other honors, including Best Picture, Best Film Editing and Best Costume Design.

Critics have tipped Gere's role in new drama "Arbitrage" as one Academy officials won't be able to ignore, but the "Pretty Woman" star refuses to get caught up in the hype.

When asked for his reaction to the Oscar buzz, he simply replied, "People have been very generous about this movie."