Gary Sinise: Great Actor/ Great Performer “LT. Dan and his Band”! Camp Pendelton’s Mud Run – OORAH!

MBK Associates had the wonderful pleasure of watching Gary Sinise “LT. Dan and his Band” perform twice now at Camp Pendleton!  Recently Gary Sinise performed for the annual MUD RUN!  We had the pleasure of providing our RV as his “Green Room” to rest and prepare for his performance!  Additionally, we spent the night at Camp Pendleton in the “Staging” area for the Mud Run.  What a wild night!

The Lt. Dan Band is a cover band founded by Kimo Williams and Gary Sinise who have worked together since a Steppenwolf production of A Streetcar Named Desire. The band is named after the character Lieutenant Dan Taylor, whom Sinise portrayed in the film Forrest Gump. Sinise has said in interviews that many people know him by sight as “Lieutenant Dan” rather than by his real name.[1]

The Lt. Dan Band has grown from the occasional jam session and Chicago-area gigs to performing for charities and non-profit organizations including the USO[2] and Operation Iraqi Children, the latter of which was co-founded by Sinise in March 2004.[3] They frequently visit military bases in the United States and abroad.

Sinise is a passionate supporter of troops and is now involved in building a memorial to America’s three million living disabled military veterans,[4] at whose opening the band is expected to play.  http://www.ltdanband.com/

Trivia about Gary Sinise:

His Steppenwolf theater company, started by high-school grads in a Catholic-school basement, is now an institution housed in an $8 million theater.

Nominated for a Tony Award for directing a new version of Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child”. [1996]

Gary appeared on screen with his spouse, Moira Harris, in “Crime Story” (1986), portraying a married couple. Moira had a small role in Miles from Home (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 Of Mice and Men (1992).

Son of Robert L. Sinise.

Father of Sophie Sinise, McCanna Anthony Sinise and Ella Sinise with Moira Harris.

Won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a mini-series or dramatic special for portraying George Wallace the very night the real George Wallace died.

Gary Sinise was born on March 17, 1955. In the movie Apollo 13 (1995), Gary Sinise played original Apollo 13 pilot, Kenneth Mattingly. Mattingly was born on March 17, 1936.

Received his first college degree in 2003 – an honorary degree from Amherst College.

Was considered for the starring role in To Live and Die in L.A. (1985). When he didn’t get the part, he recommended that the producers hire William Petersen, which they did. Ironically, he is currently the star of “CSI: NY” (2004), the spin-off of Petersen’s successful TV series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (2000).

In 1997, played George Wallace in George Wallace (1997) (TV). He re-prised the role, uncredited, in Path to War (2002) (TV).

Has been nominated for Tony Awards three times: in 1990, as Best Actor (Featured Role – Play), for portraying Tom Joad in “The Grapes of Wrath,” a role he recreated in the television version of the same title, The Grapes of Wrath (1991) (TV); in 1996, as Best Director for a revival of Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child;” and in 2001 as Best Actor (Play), for portraying Randle McMurphy in a revival of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Kimo Williams first worked with Gary as composer for a Steppenwolf production of “Streetcar Named Desire”. After learning of Gary’s talents on the bass, Kimo encouraged him to do more playing and, over the years, they enjoyed the occasional jam session. As Gary began what has turned out to be an extraordinary commitment to the USO, these jams eventually led to gigs in the Chicago area, gathering local talent and performing for troops and their families.

Shares a birthday with Rob Lowe, with whom he co-starred in “The Stand” (1994).

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