Hollywood star opens up about how ‘Forrest Gump’ changed his life forever: “My life’s mission”

Some roles leave an indelible mark on the actors who take them on. For Gary Sinise, that role was Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump.

Though a secondary character in the journey of Tom Hanks’ Forrest, Sinise fully immersed himself in the part, even visiting hospitals where veterans wounded in combat were recovering. This firsthand experience profoundly reshaped his outlook on life.

Talking to war veterans has a huge impact on Sinise

“I remember walking through hospitals for the first time, meeting service members who had lost their legs, just like Lieutenant Dan,” Sinise shared in a video from his foundation. “They simply wanted to talk about the movie, and I realized, okay, this is one way I can connect with our service members. They wanted to focus on the positive story of Lieutenant Dan. In the end, what happens to him? He stands up again, he walks, he’s sober, married, and has left his war years behind.”

Sinise went on to explain how this role became intricately tied to his life’s mission. “When Lieutenant Dan talks about destiny, maybe there’s some destiny in the fact that I played this character, and this character became a huge part of supporting the wounded. That’s what we work on every day at the Gary Sinise Foundation.”

Gary stepped away from acting in 2020, with his last known role being Sheriff Westin in Joe Bell (2020). However, his iconic portrayal of Detective Mac Taylor in CSI: NY made him a household name worldwide, appearing in 197 episodes over nearly a decade—a remarkable run in one of the most celebrated police dramas in TV history.

As for Forrest Gump, US viewers can stream it on platforms such as Pluto TV (free), Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+.

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