At the age of 18, Gary Sinise co-founded the Steppenwolf Theatre Company of Chicago. Sinise's portrayal of Lt. Dan in the Academy Award-winning film, Forrest Gump earned him nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also starred in Apollo 13, Ransom, and many more films. He has received Tony Award nominations for acting and directing. In 2008, Sinise received the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor awarded to citizens for exemplary deeds performed in service of the nation. He is only the second actor, and one of only 110 people in history, to receive the honor. He has played Det. Mac Taylor on CSI: NY since 2004.