Actor Gary Sinise has had an amazing career. He headed the show CSI: NY but he’s also been in Apollo 13, Of Mice and Men and Truman, among many others. He’s very well known for his role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, the paraplegic veteran who served with Forrest in Vietnam and the mind behind Bubba Gump. But it’s what Gary’s done with his time off screen that is truly extraordinary. Although he has supported veterans for 40 years, in 2011 Gary brought all his charities under one umbrella called The Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF). To celebrate Gary’s Grateful American book release yesterday, the CEO of the GSF, Four Star General (RET) Robin Rand, asked a bunch of Gary’s famous friends and some of those who’ve benefited from Gary’s unending generosity to thank Gary officially. The result was this video:
Gary’s charity has so many programs that benefit service members and their families. In addition, it holds a 100 score on Charity Navigator. Everyone in the video affected me, from service person to celebrity. The two that really got to me were Steve Buscemi, because of all his work with Friends of Firemen and Robin Roberts because I am also a military child, as is my husband. But the Tom Hanks ending is getting most of the press and I think deservedly. Part of the reason Lt. Dan resonated with audiences is because of Gary’s accurate and sensitive portrayal, in which many veterans saw themselves. When he toured the USO following that film, many felt they were welcoming one of their own. And Hanks, who starred in Gump and Apollo 13 with Gary, both honored Gary and kept the focus on him. It was a sweet way to wrap it up, even with his Grizzly Adams vibe he’s got going.
If the video wasn’t enough, check out the #GratefulForGary hashtag in Twitter for even more people who have been affected by Gary’s work. Is that not enough? Okay, how about Gary’s reaction when he first saw the video *mic drop*
This is too sweet! ❤️ See @GarySinise's emotional reaction after watching the #GratefulLikeGary video: https://t.co/4iWhvD37Cn (@GarySiniseFound) pic.twitter.com/D1ESBn8Yb2
— People (@people) February 13, 2019
Photo credit: Getty Images and YouTube
He also played Stu Redman in the tv series based on Stephen Kings The Stand, great performance. Every time I read that book, I always hear his voice as that character. So glad he’s a good person in real life, a rare thing in Hollywood.
Loved that performance.
Same! I loved him as Stu.
Wow! What a wonderful guy and an inspiration. If all the celebrities and powerful/wealthy folks in this country gave back to those in need like Gary, imagine how different our country would be. I’m going to donate to his foundation right now.
I love love love Gary Sinese. I knew he was a caring individual from the very first moment I saw him on screen. Another actor, the fellow from Dumb and Dumber (not Carrey) it’s the other, sorry, his name escapes me at the moment, he’s from Michigan, just a down to earth friendly nice guy devoted to family. Some actors are true gems.
Jeff Daniels, great actor
Thank you for this! I’m so glad this is the first thing I’ve read today. It made my whole day and filled my heart with warmth and hope. And thanks to Gary for being a wonderful human being.
Yes, it brought a tear to my eye. Generosity and selflessness seems to be in such short supply these days.
+1
He is an amazing human being! And yes, despite playing a supporting role in Forest Gump, his performance truly stands out.
@Bryn I was going to say the same thing about The Stand. Just re read it and it is his voice I hear too . LOL.
He does good work for our veterans.
I heard they are remaking it into a tv series, not sure how I feel about it. They completely ruined Under the Dome when it went to tv
Doing another TV series for The Stand? I’m not sure how I feel about that either! I bought the 90s miniseries on DVD and watch it over and over while I’m working. It’s kinda cheesy but I find it comforting for some reason. Gary is excellent.
You’re right Under the Dome was AWFUL. Especially the third season.
Well deserved
I didn’t know this.
It’s the beautiful thing I needed today.
I’m bawling watching both videos! I LOVE Gary Sinise.
Same here! So moving. He’s not only an incredible actor but an incredible human being who is the kind of ally & advocate that our veterans need & deserve. What an amazing man!
Aww Lt. Dan is the MAN.
He’s a wonderful person. My younger brother is a marine, no longer active duty. Apparently he saw “Lieutenant Dan” at multiple ceremonies (it was a pretty regular thing) when he was in the marine Corp. He’d just show up for support. I can’t remember if my brother said he got to meet him personally or not. He’s been doing it for a while and wasn’t doing it for attention or press, just a really great guy.
needed this story today. what a lovely human. I’m glad to know this about him.
I love him. And he is one of the few right-leaning celebrities that liberals even like. He is a good man.
I live on a military base (husband’s a Marine) and Gary is here all the time performing with the Lt. Dan Band. I’m glad he’s getting some recognition.
This made my day, what a great man
That thawed my ice, cold heart.
Gary was the sole reason I watched CSI:NY and Criminal Minds: It really should not have gone international.
Well deserved. He seems like just a good human being.
These are why men like Gary Sinise, James Gandolfini (R.I.P my brother) and the rest of celebrities who really look after veterans deserves a lot of appreciation. As a human being, you should be your Brother’s Keeper and help your fellow man. (P.S that include women as well). This is the America I know and should be. Where’s the American’s spirit, it left in the ashes with the Greedy politicians in Congress and Senate? I was so mad and hurt that Veterans came home and most of the homeless and sleeping under highway flypast. I am ashamed and disappointed in American politicians use their veterans when America is “under threat” and send them to war-torn countries and when their service is done, they left with nothing, That ish is wrong and not fair. DO BETTER AMERICA.
Once again, people like Gary Sinise deserves a lot of appreciation and a lot more.
He was wonderful as Stu Redman! I love Gary Sinise and he’s actually coming to our Sam’s Club to sign his book! Should we go?
Uh, YES. Even I, the uber-liberal, would go to a Sam’s Club to see this glorious man. He’s just…wonderful.
It really doesn’t get much better than Gary Sinise.
Also all the blinds about him are always pristine. Even if you don’t believe in blinds you can still admit that’s an impressive track record.
Next Christmas I will be making a donation to this charity in my brother’s name. I feel like I had heard about this charity before and knew that Gary Sinise had a charity for vets but I didn’t realize how special and well run this charity is. My brother is a Marine vet who went to Iraq in 2003 and he’s hard to please. I know he’ll love this! So glad you did a post on it 🙂
Awwww……Love him.
He appeared in my town recently and I went to see him.
Veterans everywhere – including my husband and myself – adore him.
Thanks to him and Hanks and everyone who contributes!
Well I teared up. The unsung heroes are the best – although here they are singing his praises – you can tell that’s not why he contributes his love, time and money.
Agreed!
Aw man, he is my ultimate celebrity crush! I always thought he was especially sexy as Lt. Dan 🙂 I love that he’s such a good man and does such wonderful things for veterans. He’s definitely in my list of “good famous guys” along with Tom Hanks, Fred Rogers and Hugh Jackman.
Just clicked on this post after reading the Miranda Lambert threw a salad on a lady post.
What an extraordinary difference between two famous people!Gary Sinise is the definition of humble and kind.Thanks for this today,Hecate!
I love this man. Quietly doing so much great work.
Nice to see Sinise acknowledged and honored like this. His politics aren’t mine (at all), but I’ve always wistfully admired him. My parents were conservative but still compassionate do-gooders with big hearts, y’know? Which almost seems subversive now…! Similarly, Sinise reminds me of people and values from another place and time — like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Earlier today a friend used the phrase “roses while they can smell them,” which I had never heard before. I think the adage has its origins in hip-hop? Anyway, it’s a directive to acknowledge people’s accomplishments in the here-and-now, rather than waiting until they die. It struck me hard.
I also don’t agree with his politics (I believe he’s an avowed Republican) but very much appreciate all the major time and effort he spends holding up such a worthwhile and important cause. Supporting veterans and service members should know no political or other boundaries.
He’s a definite candidate for the Hersholt humanitarian Oscar. I wonder if this is a lead up to something like that, soon.
He has also been married to the same woman for 37 years.
He IS the “real deal” in so many ways.
Love him.
That’s a beautiful tribute. I’ve always admired him as an actor. So crushed when I found out he was a Republican. I wonder if he voted for Trump and supports him now.
No he didn’t vote for him,he was open about it,IIRC he stated he would never support him after Trump’s comment about the late John McCain *not being a war hero because he was a POW*.I distinctly remember reading this a while back.
Thanks for that, @Spicecake38. I should’ve realized his personal support of John McCain meant he disliked Trump, at the very LEAST for mocking McCain’s P.O.W. status. Sinise is the type of countryman who would feel horror at Trump’s treatment of gold-star parents. Trump is such an embarrassment to our country, no matter where you stand.
I am a veteran and a dentist and I am so encouraged by this type of response from hollywood. Atlanta is the Hollywood of the South and I hope to see more of this here. Atlanta Root Canal Atlanta Endodontist, former Navy Dentist, Helen Sempira.