Gary Sinise’s stage, film and television career has spanned more than four decades. In 1974, at 18 years old, he co-founded Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Twenty years later, for his performance as Lt. Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump, he received nominations for Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Awards, and earned the Best Supporting Actor Award from the National Board of Review and the Commander’s Award from the Disabled American Veterans.
For nearly 40 years, Gary has stood as an advocate on behalf of America’s service members. It began in the early ‘80s, supporting local Vietnam veterans' groups in the Chicago area, and later deepened after 9/11. Recognizing the need for ongoing support, he formed the Lt. Dan Band in 2003 to entertain troops, and in 2011, established the Gary Sinise Foundation, which provides programs and resources for veterans, first responders, and Gold Star Families.
Gary has received numerous honors for his service to veterans, including the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Patriot Award, the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in entertainment, and the Presidential Citizens Medal - America's second-highest civilian honor. He is one of only three actors to receive it.
His New York Times bestselling autobiography, Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service, tells the powerful story of how a kid from Chicago found his purpose in honoring and supporting our nation's defenders, ensuring they are never forgotten.
