Gary Sinise

The illustrious Gary Alan Sinise was born to a distinguished family of Italian, English, Scottish, Irish, French, German and Swedish ancestry. As a youth, Gary was a bit of a rebel, playing in bands and paying little attention to school. However, when he tried out for West Side Story as a lark, he was immediately hooked on the acting craft and has since become a celebrated figure in the theatre world. In 1974, Gary, Terry Kinney, and Jeff Perry founded the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, where Gary has directed some of the most notable productions, including Sam Shiffman's The Grapes of Wrath. His love for the theatre was inspired by his drama teacher, Barbara Patterson, and it is this passion that has earned Gary the admiration of many.