AXS25 DigitalGuide V2 04.18 pages - Flipbook - Page 42
Keynote Speaker
Gary Sinise
Actor-Humanitarian, Founder of Gary Sinise Foundation
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. 20 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. Other film credits include
Apollo 13, Ransom, Snake Eyes, Impostor,
The Green Mile, Mission to Mars and The
Human Stain.
His most recent film and television work
include, I Still Believe, Good Joe Bell and
the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. Gary has
starred as Jack Garrett on the series Criminal
Minds: Beyond Borders, and for nine seasons
as Detective “Mac” Taylor on the hit series CSI: NY, both of which aired on CBS. Sinise is an Emmy, Golden
Globe, and two-time SAG Award winner for his roles in Truman and George Wallace. He also received a SAG
Award nomination for his role in The Stand.
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 into the ‘90s, when
his portrayal of Lt. Dan formed an enduring connection with service members throughout the military
community, and as he worked on behalf of the Disabled American Veterans organization, which he continues
to actively support today. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Sinise’s dedication to our nation’s
active duty defenders, veterans, first responders and their families has become a tireless crusade of support,
service and gratitude for all those who protect our freedom and serve our country.
His portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in the landmark film Forrest Gump formed an enduring connection with
servicemen and women through the military community.
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