Biografie

On December 10, 2008, was awarded the United States of America Presidential Citizens Medal (which was established on November 13, 1969 to recognize U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for the nation. The medal is bestowed by the President and may be conferred posthumously. The Presidential Citizens Medal is one of the highest honors the President can confer upon a civilian, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom.) for his work with the USO and Operation Iraqi Children.

Founded Operation Iraqi Children (www.operationiraqichildren.org) in early 2004 with "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" author Laura Hillenbrand.

His band, "Lt. Dan Band", performed for more than 240,000 troops and their families in the United States, Belgium, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Iraq, and Afghanistan, among others. They have performed in about 50 USO tours and 119 USO concerts. The band plays 30 to 40 shows each year, with 75 percent of those shows for charities, benefits or the USO.

Gary appeared on screen with his spouse, Moira Sinise, in Crime Story (1986), portraying a married couple. Moira had a small role in Der letzte Outlaw (1988), 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 Von Mäusen und Menschen (1992).

Has appeared with Tom Hanks in three films: Forrest Gump (1994), Apollo 13 (1995) and The Green Mile (1999); and Ed Harris in three films: The Stand: Das letzte Gefecht (1994), Apollo 13 (1995) and Der menschliche Makel (2003).

Careers, like rockets, don't always take off on time. The trick is to always keep the engine running.

Sometimes, you're in great demand. Then suddenly, your career hits the brakes.

Wherever I go for the military, they always call me Lt. Dan. They just can't help it.

[on his work ethic]: There's always the ongoing actor frustration of finding the great role to do next. I don't go to work a lot. I wait as long as I can until the money runs out or a great part comes along.

If we have any hope of preserving our own country, we have to look at our history constantly so that we don't repeat that again and that we stand up for this country with everything we have to make sure that tyranny never wins out, that freedom always prevails.