Actor & Activist
Gary Sinise: Biography at a Glance
- Best known for his iconic role as “Lt. Dan Taylor” in Forrest Gump, Gary Sinise has dedicated over four decades to supporting military service members.
- He has since created a lasting bond with the military community, beginning with Vietnam veterans in the 1980s through his Vets Night program at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre and evolving into a comprehensive mission of service.
- In 2011, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation, focusing on programs like R.I.S.E. (building smart homes for wounded veterans) and various initiatives supporting defenders, veterans, first responders, and their families.
- His work led to the formation of the Lt. Dan Band, which has performed over 570 concerts for troops and military families worldwide.
- His humanitarian work has earned him prestigious recognition, including the Presidential Citizens Medal (as only the third actor to receive this honor), the Bob Hope Award, and honorary titles from both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
- Beyond his foundation work, Sinise serves in leadership roles with multiple veteran organizations, including the Medal of Honor Foundation and USO, while actively advocating for disabled veterans as a spokesperson for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Foundation.
Media
- Official Site: Gary Sinise Foundation
- Book: Grateful American
- TODAY: Gary Sinise talks about his mission to honor service members
- Fox: How the Gary Sinise Foundation sent Gold Star families to Disneyland
- Podcast: Gary Sinise on Forrest Gump, Life On-Stage, & Veterans
- Gary Sinise Salutes Veteran Family Caregivers
- Gary Sinise Foundation Podcast with Gary Sinise
Videos
Biography
For over forty years, Gary Sinise has stood as an advocate of America’s servicemen and women. It began in the early 1980s with his support of Vietnam veterans groups and the creation of Vets Night, a program offering free dinners and performances to veterans at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. His commitment continued into the 1990s working on behalf of the Disabled American Veterans organization, which he continues to actively support. His dedication to our nation’s active duty defenders, veterans and first responders has become a tireless crusade of support, service and gratitude to 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 throughout the military community. After several USO handshake tours in 2003, Sinise formed the “Lt. Dan Band” in early 2004 and began entertaining troops serving at home and abroad. The band now performs close to 50 shows a year for military bases, charities and fundraisers supporting veterans and troops around the world.
Sinise serves as spokesperson for both the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Foundation and Disabled American Veterans. He serves on executive councils for The Medal of Honor Foundation and the USO, and is an advisory board member for Hope for the Warriors.
In recognition of his humanitarian work on behalf of our troops and veterans, Sinise has earned many distinguished awards including The Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment from the Medal of Honor Society, the Spirit of the USO Award, The Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Spirit of Hope Award by the Department of Defense, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award from the National Defense Industrial Association and West Point's Thayer Award. In 2008 he was given the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor awarded to citizens for exemplary deeds performed in service of the nation, only the third actor ever to receive this honor. He was also named an honorary Chief Petty Officer by the Navy and an Honorary Marine by the United States Marine Corp.
In 2011, Sinise established the Gary Sinise Foundation. Its mission is to serve and honor our nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs that entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities. These include its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence and Supporting Empowerment), whose flagship initiative is a custom Smart Home building project for severely wounded veterans. Each home is customized to ease their daily challenges and help restore independence with features like retractable cook tops, cabinets and shelving, elevators and more, all accessible via an iPad.
Other programs include Relief & Resiliency Outreach, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Serving Heroes and Arts & Entertainment Outreach. Over the years, the Foundation has formed numerous corporate partnerships, including those with the Carrington Companies and GE.
Giving back to those who sacrifice for our nation and encouraging others to do the same has become Gary Sinise’s personal quest and what he hopes will endure as a legacy of service to others.
Topics
Profiles in Courage
FAQs
How do I book Gary Sinise for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Gary Sinise to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Gary Sinise's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Gary Sinise’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Gary Sinise in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Gary Sinise's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Gary Sinise's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Gary Sinise, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Gary Sinise's speaking fee?
Gary Sinise's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Gary Sinise's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Gary Sinise's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Gary Sinise as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Gary Sinise as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Gary Sinise's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Gary Sinise's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Gary Sinise for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Gary Sinise speaking engagements.
Official contact for Gary Sinise bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/gary-sinise
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Gary Sinise.
Is Gary Sinise available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Gary Sinise speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Gary Sinise's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Gary Sinise's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Gary Sinise's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Gary Sinise for?
Book Gary Sinise for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Gary Sinise customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
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Gary Sinise engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Gary Sinise can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Gary Sinise booking information and availability
Check Gary Sinise's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Gary Sinise for your preferred event date.
Book Gary Sinise keynote speaker through CAA
Book Gary Sinise through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Gary Sinise, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Gary Sinise's calendar
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Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Gary Sinise for your next event.
Will Gary Sinise speak at private events?
Yes, Gary Sinise speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Gary Sinise's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Gary Sinise?
CAA Speakers responds to Gary Sinise booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Gary Sinise?
Book Gary Sinise 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Gary Sinise pricing information?
Get Gary Sinise pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.