Gary Sinise
| Gary Sinise | |
|---|---|
 Sinise in October 2009 |
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| Born | George Alan Sinise March 17, 1955 , U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, director |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse | Moira Harris (m. 1981–present) |
George Alan Sinise, known by his stage name Gary Sinise (pronounced /səˈniːs/;[1] born March 17, 1955) is an American actor and film director. During his career, Sinise has won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed the film and played the role of George Milton in the movie adaptation of Of Mice and Men. Sinise was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1994 for his role as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump. He won a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for his role in Truman. In 1996, he played a corrupt police officer in the dramatic hit Ransom. In 1998, Sinise was awarded an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for the television film George Wallace, a portrayal of the late Governor George C. Wallace, Jr., of Alabama.
Since 2004, Sinise has starred in CBS's CSI: NY as Detective Mac Taylor. In 2008 he narrated a biography for Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor at the Republican National Convention in support of John McCain's candidacy for President of the United States of America. In December 2008 he was awarded the Presidential Citizen Medal, the second highest civilian medal awarded to U.S. civilians. He received the medal from President George W. Bush for his humanitarian contributions to Iraqi school children and his involvement in the USO. He is the executive producer of Brothers at War, the award winning documentary about an American military family and the Iraq war.
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Early life
Sinise was born in Blue Island, Illinois, the son of Millie (née Alsip; b. 1932) and Robert L. Sinise (b. 1931),[2] who is a film editor.[3][4] He is of part Italian ancestry.[5] He attended Highland Park High School, in Highland Park, Illinois, and continued his education at Illinois State University, in Normal, Illinois. In 1974, Sinise and two friends, Terry Kinney and Jeff Perry, founded the Steppenwolf Theatre Company.[6] Since its founding, Steppenwolf has showcased the talents of such notable actors as Joan Allen, Kevin Anderson, Gary Cole, Ethan Hawke, Glenne Headly, John Mahoney, John Malkovich, Laurie Metcalf, Martha Plimpton, Jim True-Frost and most recently William Petersen. At Steppenwolf, Sinise honed his acting and directing skills and worked on more than thirty of the company's productions.
Career
In 1982, Sinise's career began to take off when he directed and starred in Steppenwolf's production of True West. In 1983, he earned an Obie Award for his direction and a year later appeared with John Malkovich in the PBS' American Playhouse production of the play. In 1988, Sinise directed Miles from Home, a movie starring Richard Gere, about two brothers' fight against the foreclosure of the family farm. Sinise has appeared in many films including: Forrest Gump, Of Mice and Men (which he directed), Apollo 13, Reindeer Games, Snake Eyes, Ransom, Mission to Mars, The Stand, Impostor and The Green Mile. He narrated the audio books for John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley and Of Mice and Men.
In 2004, he began his first regular television series, in the crime drama CSI: New York, in which he plays Detective Mac Taylor. He was credited as a producer from season 2 onwards and wrote the storyline of an episode. Several episodes have allowed Sinise to demonstrate his musical prowess, including a Season 2 episode where Mac Taylor plays the bass guitar in a jazz club with musicians Kimo and Carol Williams and Danny Gottlieb, members of the Lt. Dan Band, which Sinise and Kimo Williams co-founded in 2003. The band is named for Sinise's character in Forrest Gump.
Apart from his television and movie work, Sinise is the host in the video for the Epcot ride Mission: SPACE, at Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL and a model for Baume & Mercier watches.[7] He co-founded Operation Iraqi Children. Sinise said, "Iraq is in the news every day, and most of it is bad. But there are some positive stories. And how our soldiers are rebuilding schools and helping kids is one of them."[8]
Sinise is the narrator for the Discovery Channel's mini series When We Left Earth in 2008.
Sinise was awarded the Presidential Citizen Medal by George W. Bush for work he did supporting the U.S Military and humanitarian work supporting Iraqi children.[9]
Sinise narrated Army and Army Reserve Army Strong recruitment ads[10] in late 2008.
Sinise is the Executive Producer—along with David Scantling—of the Iraq War documentary Brothers at War.[11] The film features an American military family and the experiences of three brothers: Jake Rademacher, Isaac Rademacher and Joseph Rademacher.[12]
Since 2006, Sinise has co-narrated the National Memorial Day Concert on the Mall in Washington, D.C. with Joe Mantegna.[13]
Sinise serves as the National Spokesperson for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. He spends much of his time raising awareness for the Memorial and other veterans' service organizations.
In November 2009, Sinise narrated the highly acclaimed World War II in HD on the History Channel.
Personal life
Sinise has been married to actress Moira Harris since 1981 and they have three children together: Sophia Ana, 22,(b. 1988), McCanna Anthony, 20, (b. 1990), and Ella Jane, 18, (b. 1992). In 2003, Sinise was awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters by Amherst College.[14] Sinise converted to his wife's Roman Catholic faith.[15] He has devoted countless hours to the National Vietnam Veterans Arts Museum now called the National Veterans Art Museum.
Politics
Sinise's name was in an advertisement in the Los Angeles Times (17 August 2006) that condemned Hamas and Hezbollah and supported Israel in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.[16]
His CSI: NY co-star Hill Harper, a staunch supporter of President Barack Obama has noted that Sinise's political beliefs are conservative but says he and Sinise get along with each other on set and have decided not to discuss politics.
In June 2008, Sinise donated $2,300 to the Republican primary campaign of Arizona Senator John McCain.[17]
Nicolle Wallace, a former adviser to George W. Bush and the presidential campaign of John McCain, stated in May 2009 that she believed Sinise could help bring about a resurgence of the Republican Party. Wallace stated, "The natural strengths that an actor brings to politics would come in handy to anyone going up against Obama in 2012. We will need an effective communicator who can stand toe to toe with Obama’s eloquence." Other names mentioned were those of Generals David Petraeus and Ray Odierno.[18] Sinise later stated he had no intention of entering politics. Sinise narrates the online virtual tour for the Ronald Reagan Presidential library.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Family Secrets | Motorcyclist | (TV) |
| True West | Austin | (TV broadcast of the play) | |
| 1989 | The Final Days | Richard Ben-Veniste | (TV) |
| My Name is Bill W. | Ebby, Bill's best friend | (TV) | |
| 1991 | The Grapes of Wrath | Tom Joad | (TV) |
| 1992 | Of Mice and Men | George Milton | Also directed. |
| A Midnight Clear | Vance 'Mother' Wilkins | ||
| The Witness | Young Soldier | (TV) | |
| 1993 | Jack the Bear | Norman Strick | |
| 1994 | Forrest Gump | Lt. Dan Taylor | Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actor National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role |
| The Stand | Stu Redman | (TV miniseries) Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie |
|
| 1995 | Truman | Harry S. Truman | (TV) CableACE Award for Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor – Miniseries or a Movie |
| Apollo 13 | Ken Mattingly | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | |
| The Quick and the Dead | The Marshal | ||
| 1996 | Ransom | Det. Jimmy Shaker | |
| Albino Alligator | Milo | ||
| 1997 | George Wallace | George C. Wallace | (TV) CableACE Award for Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor – Miniseries or a Movie Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film |
| 1998 | Snake Eyes | Commander Kevin Dunne | |
| 1999 | The Green Mile | Burt Hammersmith | |
| It's the Rage | Morgan | ||
| That Championship Season | Tom Daley | (TV) | |
| 2000 | Bruno | Dino Battaglia | |
| Mission to Mars | Jim McConnell | ||
| Reindeer Games | Gabriel Mercer | ||
| 2002 | A Gentleman's Game | Foster Pearse | |
| Path to War | George Wallace | ||
| Made-Up | Duncan Tivey | ||
| Impostor | Spencer Olham | ||
| 2003 | Fallen Angel | Terry | (TV) |
| The Human Stain | Nathan Zuckerman | ||
| Mission: SPACE (Disney Ride) | Capcom | ||
| 2004 | The Forgotten | Dr. Jack Munce | |
| CSI: NY | Det. Mac Taylor | (TV series; 2004-present) | |
| The Big Bounce | Ray Ritchie | ||
| 2006 | Open Season | Shaw | (voice) |
| 2008 | When We Left Earth | Narrator | (TV) |
| 2009 | On the Road in Iraq With Our Troops and Gary Sinise[19] | Himself | |
| 2009 | WWII in HD | Narrator | (TV) |
| 2010 | One Last Wish | Devon Johnson |
References
- ↑ Say How? A Pronunciation Guide to Names of Public Figures
- ↑ Robert L. Sinise bio on imdb.com
- ↑ The guts and the glory
- ↑ "Gary Sinise Biography (1955-)". Filmreference.com. http://www.filmreference.com/film/68/Gary-Sinise.html. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ↑ http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-07/02-07-07/03living.htm
- ↑ "Gary Sinise: Ensemble Member Bio". http://www.steppenwolf.org/ensemble/members/details.aspx?id=36. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ↑ "Baume & Mercier and Gary Sinise". http://www.universe-of-luxury.com/baume-mercier/publicites/gary_sinise.html. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ↑ "In Step With: Gary Sinise". Parade Magazine. September 12, 2004. http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2004/edition_09-12-2004/in_step_with_0.
- ↑ "Bush gives medals to Watergate figure, others". http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9502FOO0&show_article=1. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ↑ "Soldier Life > Army Families". GoArmy.com. http://www.goarmy.com/families/index.jsp?fl=false. Retrieved 2009-12-17. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/5nuXS9YWg)
- ↑ "Award-Winning Documentary 'Brothers at War' Supported by Two Honored Executive Producers". Breitbart.com. 2009-03-13. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=prnw.20090212.CLTH048&show_article=1. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ↑ "Film review: ‘Brothers at War’ - Military Movies". Military Times. http://www.militarytimes.com/entertainment/movies/military_movie_brothersmovie_022709/. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ↑ "Families of Disabled Vets | National Memorial Day Concert". PBS. http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/features/families.html. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ↑ "Amherst College Commencement: 2003 Honorary Degree Citations". http://www.amherst.edu/commencement/2003/honorary/sinise.html. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ↑ "Gary Sinise". National Catholic Reporter (BNET). 2005-11-25. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_6_42/ai_n15970428/?tag=content;col1. Retrieved 2010-08-10. "Sinise thanked his wife of 29 years, actress Moira Harris, for leading their family by her decision to embrace her Catholic faith,..."
- ↑ "Nicole Kidman and 84 Others Stand United Against Terrorism" Hollywood Grind. 18 August 2006.
- ↑ "Gary Sinise's Federal Campaign Contribution Report". http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Gary_Sinise.php.
- ↑ "Actor Gary Sinise floated as possible GOP savior". http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/11/actor-gary-sinise-floated-as-possible-gop-savior/.
- ↑ "Amazon - On the Road in Iraq With Our Troops and Gary Sinise". http://www.amazon.com/Road-Iraq-Troops-Gary-Sinise/dp/B001PKTZG4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1233612413&sr=8-1.
External links
- Gary Sinise at the Internet Movie Database
- Gary Sinise at the Internet Broadway Database
- Gary Sinise at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Gary Sinise Bio at CBS - CSI: NY
- Lt. Dan Band homepage
- Steppenwolf Theatre Company
- Operation Iraqi Children
- "Sinise: A Man for All Services" by Andrew Breitbart (Washington Times 12/15/08)
- "Lt. Dan rocks out" by Sarah Feldberg (Las Vegas Weekly 9/4/09)
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