Latest news with #GarySiniseFoundation
Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Gary Sinise Opens Up About Leaving Hollywood, Son's Legacy, and His Mission to Serve Veterans
Gary Sinise, known for playing Lieutenant Dan in 'Forrest Gump,' shifted his focus from Hollywood to family and service almost exclusively following his son's cancer diagnosis six years ago. In a recent EpochTV 'American Thought Leaders' Stepping Away From Acting to Focus on Family Sinise's decision to step away from acting was driven by personal hardship. In late 2019, as his son Mac's health declined due to a rare spinal cancer, Sinise wrapped up his last acting jobs, including roles in 'Joe Bell,' 'I Still Believe,' and the series '13 Reasons Why.' 'Leaving home was getting harder and harder as Mac was getting more and more challenged with things,' Sinise said. By December 2019, he finished his acting commitments and began focusing entirely on his family and the Gary Sinise Foundation. Mac, a talented musician and foundation staffer, battled chordoma for nearly six years. Despite his condition, he completed an album, 'Resurrection & Revival,' in 2023. 'He celebrated his 33rd birthday in the recording studio, recording an album in 2023 that he envisioned doing, and he was very disabled by this awful, rare cancer that took his life,' Sinise said. Mac's music continues to support the foundation's mission, with proceeds from album sales benefiting veterans and first responders. Sinise's wife, Moira, also faced health challenges, undergoing multiple surgeries for stage 3 breast cancer. 'A month before Mac was diagnosed with cancer, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. That was a hard summer—the 2018 summer. I had two cancer patients, you know, to care for, and that was tough,' Sinise recalled. Related Stories 11/15/2024 11/16/2020 Moira is now cancer-free, but the experience deepened Sinise's resolve to prioritize family and service. A Life of Service Inspired by Family and History Sinise's commitment to veterans began decades before his Hollywood fame. Influenced by Vietnam veterans in his wife's family and his own relatives who served in earlier wars, Sinise became aware of the challenges faced by veterans returning home. 'I started to feel very guilty and badly for what happened to them, you know, when they served in Vietnam and came home. So I wanted to try to do something back in the early 80s and in Chicago,' Sinise said. This led to his involvement in the play 'Tracers,' written and performed by Vietnam veterans. The experience opened his eyes to the struggles of veterans and inspired his ongoing support. Playing Lieutenant Dan in 'Forrest Gump' further deepened his connection to the veteran community. 'There's no question it played a greater role in my life than just a part in a movie,' he said. 'I very much wanted to honor our Vietnam veterans by doing a good job, you know, just playing a Vietnam veteran and in a way that they would feel was honorable and true and truthful.' The Gary Sinise Foundation: Supporting Veterans and First Responders Founded in 2011, the Gary Sinise Foundation supports veterans, first responders, and their families through a range of programs. 'We are here to support all those who serve and defend us on the military side—our veterans, our families that serve alongside them, our first responders, the families that serve alongside them, families of our fallen heroes and first responders—we have a role to play in supporting there,' Sinise said. Key initiatives include: Lieutenant Dan Band: Sinise's band has performed nearly 600 free concerts at military bases and hospitals worldwide over the last 20 years. RISE Program: Builds specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans. 'We just gave away our 95th house since I've been involved in this,' Sinise said. First Responder Outreach: Provides support for first responders, including vehicles for those in need and memorials like the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance, honoring those lost on Sept. 11. Snowball Express: Brings children and surviving spouses of fallen military and first responder heroes to Disney World for healing and community. 'Every year, we take over 1,000 kids and the surviving spouse of military heroes to Disney World,' Sinise said. 'And then a couple of years ago, we started adding families of fallen first responders.' A Philosophy of Service and Healing Sinise believes that service is a powerful way to heal personal pain and strengthen communities. 'Service. I always say this is a great healer for a broken heart, and it helped me a lot through our fight for our son and the difficulties and the challenges of fighting for him and then losing him,' he said, adding that he didn't stop doing service work during that time. 'It was the thing that was helping me with our own battle at home,' he said. From NTD News
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Gary Sinise's Late Son Scores Multiple Top 10 Bestselling Albums
Gary Sinise honors his late son Mac by promoting his music, which now claims two top 10 spots on ... More iTunes with Resurrection and Revival and its sequel. HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Actor Gary Sinise attends the premiere of Cinedigm Entertainment Group's "SGT. Will Gardner" at ArcLight Hollywood on January 08, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by) Gary Sinise stepped away from the acting portion of his life half a decade ago, but he hasn't been relaxing ever since. He walked away from TV and film to help care for several family members who became seriously ill at the same time, putting his love for them over his hugely successful career. His wife, Moira, was battling breast cancer, while their son, Mac, was diagnosed with chordoma, a rare bone cancer that affects the spine. While Moira beat her disease, Mac sadly passed away in early 2024. Now, more than a year after that tragedy, his father wants to ensure that the art his musician child left behind is heard by a wide audience — and it seems that his efforts are working. Gary Sinise took part in a People magazine feature in which he opened up about the struggles his family has faced, the passing of his son Mac, but, more importantly, the music he made during his lifetime. Mac worked for Sinise's nonprofit the Gary Sinise Foundation, where he created music for various promotional videos. He also composed his own music under his own name, but didn't have a chance to properly share it with the world before he passed – but not his father is working to rectify that. Mac Sinise currently claims two of the top 10 bestselling albums in America on iTunes. The musician soars more than 100 spots to No. 6 with Resurrection and Revival. Just a few spots below sits its sequel, Resurrection and Revival Part 2, which debuts at No. 9. Both versions of Resurrection and Revival were actually released in 2024, but they have only now become bestsellers – seemingly thanks to the People story, which means that Gary's efforts have been successful in getting the world to hear his son's music. Mac Sinise's performance on iTunes is especially notable, as his albums surge during a competitive week for new releases in the U.S. He appears inside the top 10 on the list of top-selling projects alongside superstar names like Morgan Wallen, Sleep Token, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, as well as two versions of BTS star Jin's latest solo EP, Echo.
New York Post
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘CSI: NY' actor Gary Sinise speaks out on leaving Hollywood after son Mac's tragic death at 33
He's stepping back. 'CSI: NY' star Gary Sinise stepped away from Hollywood after his son Mac's tragic death. 'Something may come along and it'll be right, but it's harder to leave home now,' he told People in an interview published Wednesday. Advertisement 'I just want to be around family. Since losing Mac, I hold my daughters a lot tighter. You think about the things that are really important.' 9 Gary Sinise and his son, Mac. The Gary Sinise Foundation 9 Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) left, Det. Josephine Danville (Sela Ward), Det. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and Lindsay Monroe Messer (Anna Belknap) on 'CSI: NY.' CBS Advertisement The 'Forrest Gump' actor's son, McCanna — also known as Mac — died in Jan. 2024 at age 33 after a 5½-year battle with a form of cancer called chordoma. Sinise and his wife, Moira Harris – the couple has been married since 1981 — also share daughters Sophie and Ella, and have five grandchildren. Sinise, who has won an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Tony, is also known for 'Forrest Gump,' 'Apollo 13' and 'The Green Mile.' 9 Gary Sinise in 'Apollo 13.' ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement To make matters more difficult, Sinise's wife had a battle with Stage 3 breast cancer, as well – which she survived, but Sinise told the outlet that his wife and son's health battles were 'a one-two punch' that he's been navigating since 2018. In 2020, when Mac was hospitalized for six months, Sinise stepped away. 'That's when I stopped acting,' Sinise explained. Advertisement 'I started putting everything I had into trying to find a miracle for Mac.' 9 Gary Sinise and Ben Affleck in 'Reindeer Games.' ©Dimension Films/Courtesy Everett Collection 9 Gary Sinise with his son, Mac. The Gary Sinise Foundation 9 Gary Sinise in 'Forrest Gump.' ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection The 'Apollo 13' actor said he leaned into his Catholic faith during his son's cancer battle. 'Hope keeps you in the fight. You could see tumors on his body. You knew the drugs weren't working. But I wasn't thinking we were going to lose him.' Sinise added, 'He didn't want to go. But I know Mac was at peace at the end. He dealt with it with grace and courage.' Since Mac's death, Sinise has shied away from the spotlight and spent time with his family in his Tennessee home. Advertisement 'Mac left us things that are beautiful,' Sinise said, referring to how his son was a musician and composer. 'I want people to know who he was.' 9 Gary Sinise with his son, Mac. The Gary Sinise Foundation 9 Gary Sinise with his son, Mac. The Gary Sinise Foundation 9 Gary Sinise attends the 32nd Annual Movieguide Awards Gala on Feb. 7, 2025. Advertisement Sinise has been working to release his late son's music, and hopes to see a live orchestra perform it, he said. 'I want people to hear his music. I want people to share it. I'm on a mission. I thought the other day, 'What happens when all these projects are done?' Well, I'm going to drag them on as long as I can.'
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Five local WWII Veterans take off to visit the National WWII Museum
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Since 2015, the Gary Sinise Foundation has been bringing World War II veterans to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans through its Soaring Valor initiative to visit the museum and spread awareness and education on the importance of service and sacrifice. Five local World War II veterans are getting the chance to visit the museum this week. 'The Gary Sinise Foundation is a wonderful organization, not only for veterans, but for first responders in their families as well they go over and above their support of these folks for veterans in particular it's great that you know they're reaching out and getting World War II veterans down to the museum that was built for them,' said guardian Martin Leamy. Central and Southwest Virginia Honor Flight CEO Martin Leamy is known for taking veterans to Washington, D.C. twice a year for the Honor Flight. This week he is part of a different mission. Leamy and 5 other guardians are taking 5 local World War II veterans to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The veterans are excited about this opportunity courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Before the veterans took off they got a heroes send off from the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport. Even during take off the airport firetrucks gave a water splash off. The five local World War II veterans will link up with the rest of the Gary Sinise Foundation Soaring Valor group in Nashville before taking off Wednesday for New Orleans and the museum. The veterans will spend two days checking out the museum. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB all-star Paul Skenes donates to Gary Sinise Foundation every time he records a strikeout this season
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks off the field at the end of the second inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by) Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star and reigning National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes is proud to continue his support of the Gary Sinise Foundation and its mission to honor and serve our nation's defenders, veterans, first responders, and their families. For the second consecutive season, Skenes will donate $100 for every strikeout he records during the 2025 campaign. Fans are invited to join Skenes in his mission to raise $100,000 for this amazing cause. To kick things off, Skenes will personally thank the individual that makes the largest donation between the launch of the campaign and the Pirates home opener on April 4. This individual will be thanked with a batting practice meet-and-greet and tickets for the game. Advertisement 'I am very excited to partner again with the Gary Sinise Foundation and help our veterans and first responders during the 2025 season,' said Skenes. 'I have tremendous respect and admiration for the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect and serve our communities. GSF provides an amazing platform to honor and support those who have done so much for me. I look forward to another year of supporting this amazing cause.' PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 16: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates wears Gary Sinese Foundation custom cleats as part of 'Players Weekend' during the game against the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park on August 16, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) Justin Berl 'A big thank you and much gratitude to Paul for his awesome support of GSF and for this amazing offer and invitation to batting practice for the top donor. Incredible! We are getting great things done at the Gary Sinise Foundation and we appreciate your support of Paul and what he's doing to help us. Just go easy on my Cubs this season will ya, Paul,' said Actor and Humanitarian Gary Sinise. Skenes has a strong connection to the military stemming from his time at the Air Force Academy. He will take the mound tomorrow on Opening Day for the Pirates against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park in Miami. Last season, Skenes made his MLB debut and became the first player in MLB history to start the All-Star Game a year after being drafted. The 22-year-old Skenes went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA (133.0 IP/23 ER), and 170 strikeouts over 23 starts. Advertisement Interested supporters can join Paul with this great cause and make a donation by visiting All proceeds will be directed to the Gary Sinise Foundation. The meet-and-greet experience is for a mutually agreeable game date during the 2025 season. In the event that there are multiple donors with tied donation amounts, up to two prizes will be awarded to the first two donors. About the Gary Sinise Foundation Gary Sinise is an award-winning actor and humanitarian, best known for his roles in CSI:NY, Apollo 13, and his Oscar-nominated performance in the film Forrest Gump as the wounded Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan Taylor. An advocate for our nation's defenders since the 1980s, after 9/11 Sinise began a tireless crusade to support America's military and first responders around the world with handshake tours and concerts with his band, the Lt. Dan Band. In 2011, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation as an extension of those efforts. Today, the Foundation is building custom homes for severely wounded heroes, honoring and supporting the families of our fallen, providing essential equipment and training for first responders, improving the mental wellness of our defenders, and so much more. For more information and to support, visit or follow on Facebook, Instagram, X or YouTube.
