- His grassroots organization encourages ordinary citizens to send school supplies and Arabic translations of Seabiscuit to Iraqi children. (April 6, 2004)
- In MISSION TO MARS (2000), he plays an astronaut who's rejected for the mission but who steps in to save the day when the going gets tough -- exactly like his character in APOLLO 13 (1995).
- His Steppenwolf theater company, started by high-school grads in a Catholic-school basement, is now an institution housed in an $8 million theater.
- He plays Naval Commander Kevin Dunn in SNAKE EYES (1998), who is attempting to get the Navy to pick up a new weapons system. Actor Kevin Dunn who plays the PPV announcer, was in the movie HOT SHOTS! playing a Naval Commander attempting to get the Navy to pick up a new superfighter.
- The night that Gary won the Emmy award for his portrayal of George Wallace in GEORGE WALLACE (1997) (TV), the real George Wallace died of a heart attack.
- (1996) He was nominated for a Tony Award for directing a new version of Sam Shepard's BURIED CHILD.
- Gary appeared on screen with spouse Moira Harris in CRIME STORY, portraying a married couple. Moira had a small role in MILES FROM HOME, the first feature Gary directed, but Moira's role was left on the cutting-room floor. Moira appeared as the Girl in the Red Dress in OF MICE AND MEN.
- In FOREST GUMP (1994) his lower legs were wrapped in a special blue fabric that allowed them to be optically removed from the film by computer later.
- Sometimes Credited As: Gary A. Sinise
- Wife Moira Harris helped co-found Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company with Sinise seven years before the two married
- Sinise was born March 17, 1955. In the movie APOLLO 13, Gary Sinise played original Apollo 13 pilot, Ken Mattingly. Ken Mattingly was born March 17, 1936.
- Received his first college degree in 2003 - an honorary degree from Amherst College.
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV at Golden Globe Awards for GEORGE WALLACE (1998)
- Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special at Emmy Awards for TRUMAN (1996)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at Academy Awards for FORREST GUMP (1995)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture at Golden Globe Awards for FORREST GUMP (1995)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for FORREST GUMP (1995)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries at Screen Actors Guild Awards for THE STAND (1995)
Quotes- "Careers, like rockets, don't always take off on time. The trick is to always keep the engine running."
- "The actors I was most impressed with and who were influencing my taste were all movie actors, so I always wanted to do movies, but I didn't want to go to Hollywood and become a waiter in the meantime. The chances are really slim that an actor will be discovered in Hollywood...I've never had to compromise myself for a job, ever."
Awards- DVD Exclusive Awards: Best Actor, A GENTLEMAN'S GAME (2003)
- Joseph Jefferson Award, Best Actor, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (2000)
- Milan International Film Festival: Best Acting, ALL THE RAGE (2000)
- New York Drama League Award, Best Actor, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (2000)
- Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, GEORGE WALLACE (1998)
- Golden Satellite Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, GEORGE WALLACE (1998)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries, GEORGE WALLACE (1998)
- Governor's Award, for contributions to the arts in Illinois (1997)
- CableACE Awards: Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, GEORGE WALLACE (1996)
- CableACE Awards: Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, TRUMAN (1996)
- Chicago Film Critics Association Awards: Commitment to Chicago Award (1996)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV, TRUMAN (1996)
- Joseph Jefferson Award: Best Director, BURIED CHILD (1996)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries, TRUMAN (1996)
- Saturn Award: Best Supporting Actor, FORREST GUMP (1995)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Cast (Theatrical Motion Picture), APOLLO 13; initial presentation; award shared (1995)
- Disabled American Veterans National Commander's Award for performance in FORREST GUMP (1994)
- National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actor, FORREST GUMP (1994)
- Drama Desk Award: Outstanding Ensemble Performance, BALM IN GILEAD; award shared (1985)
- Joseph Jefferson Award: Best Director, ORPHANS (1985)
- OBIE: Direction, TRUE WEST (1983)
- Joseph Jefferson Award: Best Supporting Actor, GETTING OUT (1980)
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