Interview: Actor Gary Sinise On Humbly Starring In 'Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good'

The music documentary stars the 'Forrest Gump' and 'Apollo 13' actor performing with his band at USO events.

The film Lt. Dan Band: For the Common Good is focused only partially on Oscar-nominated actor Gary Sinise and the rock group he plays bass in. The act is called the Lt. Dan Band, named after Sinise’s character in Forrest Gump, and their gigs consist of U.S.O. events around the world and other concerts for troops, trainees, vets, and family members.

Directed by Jonathan Flora, the documentary is also a celebration of and memorial for all the heroes who’ve done their part for this country and what Abraham Lincoln referred to as “the common good,” including those in the U.S. military, those in the Fire Department of New York and others who responded on 9/11 and those citizens like Sinise and his band mates, who significantly contribute in their own way.

This week, I joined a few other journalists to talk with Sinise about the documentary and his humbled involvement in a feature film that could have very easily been too concentrated on the humanity and generosity of a celebrity over addressing the cause itself. First, though, I needed to let him know about my viewing experience (I recommend everyone watch with a veteran or active-duty soldier or fireman):

I wanted to say that I had the opportunity to watch the film with my (step) father-in-law, who’s a Navy SEAL Captain, and he absolutely loved it. He thanks you for it.

Gary Sinise: That’s terrific. I’m glad to hear it. Thank him for me again. Give him a big thank you from me.

I wanted to talk about you allowing the documentary to be made. You seem very humble about all the good that you’re doing, such as with the OIC [Operation International Children] and with the band. I wondered if there was any hesitation for you or a concern that they were going to make a film that was just about how great you are. I think in the end, it does an amazing job of using you as a gateway to talk about the issues.

Gary Sinise: Well, I was hesitant about letting a camera crew shoot this stuff that I’m doing because — well, I just never thought about that. It wasn’t a reason that I do it. I’ve been doing it for years and years without any documentation of it except for the occasional news clip or something like that here and there, or a news story.

So, I was a little bit hesitant about that, but Jonathan made a convincing case. I decided that he was going to do a fair job with it, and I was going to let him see who I interact with on a daily basis in this work and the types of things that I do out there and the types of people that I meet and the organizations that I support and the men and women in uniform that I’m trying to help.

And that all these other organizations are trying to help. And the first responders that I interact with in New York City and around the country who inspire me and were very, very motivating because of their devotion to their lost brothers on September 11th. Wanting to help them and support them and learning from them has made me a better man. I was grateful that Jonathan found a way to do the film that supports a lot of different types of things.