Gary Sinise Quotes

The University of Southern California has a wonderful social work department, and I was thrilled to find out that they have a whole veterans' initiative program there. They approached me, and I set up a scholarship that would go to a military-oriented person to learn techniques and skills to better help veterans.

I've directed enough in the theatre and a couple of films to know that - to feel fairly secure that if I find a story that I really like I can probably get it done somewhat.

I save money when I'm working so that I never have to take a role simply to pay the bills.

I started a theater called Steppenwolf. We've been very supportive of the veterans there.

Freedom and security are precious gifts that we, as Americans, should never take for granted. We must do all we can to extend our hand in times of need to those who willingly sacrifice each day to provide that freedom and security. While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation's defenders, we can always do a little more.

Sometimes you're in great demand. Then suddenly your career hits the breaks.

I can honestly say that I've done everything I've wanted to do, always. Not without difficulty. But every time I wanted to do something, I just did it, from the age of 18 when I started my own theater with my friends. When I decided I wanted to act. I just bit the bullet.

Unless you have a long-running series, most actors just go job to job if you're lucky to keep working. You just do a movie or a play or a TV thing, and it's over at some point.

But I've got more to learn, too. I don't feel like I'm done or I know it all.

I'm thrilled I can make a living doing something I enjoy.

I played a character in 'Ransom' who was as evil as they come.

I'm not registered to any party. I don't really play in the political world. I'm really more interested in getting things done.

I think you're lucky if you discover what you really love at a young age. College wasn't something I was going to do. I wanted to keep acting, and I didn't want to go to New York or California and pound the pavement.

The chance to play a romantic character who kisses somebody onscreen was one of the elements that made me want to do 'The Stand.' The more you can do, the better, and I've been known as a character actor.

I was always fascinated with rock 'n' roll, or girls, or something like that when I was a kid.

Wherever I go for the military, they always call me Lt. Dan. They just can't help it.

Well, I've been to Iraq twice now. I was in Baghdad in June and then north of Baghdad in November.

I go into military communities and do fundraisers and that kind of thing with the band, because I know that the music can help do a lot of things. It can bring communities together, it can raise awareness ... and it entertains.

I study to learn, to be an educated person.

I have a band that I started with a buddy of mine, a Vietnam veteran pal named Kimo Williams from Chicago.

Well, youre not incorrect on either front, because absolutely, there are children here in this country that need help as are everywhere in the world.

Careers, like rockets, don't always take off on time. The trick is to always keep the engine running.

Yeah, I volunteered to support the troops, and get out there and show them that we care about them.

You've got to keep taking certain risks, because my priority is in acting, it's not in movie stardom.

If you're missing three or four limbs, you have special challenges going forward. And the last thing you want is to not be independent in your home.

You learn from things that don't go well, and you try to capitalize when they do. You build on those strengths and try to make your weaknesses stronger.

There's always the ongoing actor frustration of finding the great role to do next. I don't go to work a lot. I wait as long as I can until the money runs out or a great part comes along.

I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. It can be pretty busy, but I'm not out in the Afghan desert with 70 pounds on my back, away from my family for a year at a time. I keep a good perspective on it.

I've worked with a lot of really fine actors, both on stage and on screen. The level of their game lifts me up and brings the level of my game up to theirs. Always. It's like a constant upgrade.