Society

Gary Sinise named 2018 Rose Parade grand marshal

Monday, October 30, 2017
Actor Gary Sinise has been named the grand marshal of the 2018 Rose Parade.
PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Actor Gary Sinise has been named the grand marshal of the 2018 Rose Parade.

The theme for this year's parade is, "Making a Difference," and the 62-year-old actor has spent much of his life doing just that.
[Ads /]
Tournament of Roses President Lance Tibbet announced the selection Monday. He cited Sinise's many contributions to veterans' causes.

The Oscar nominee is known for many roles in film and television. Most would recognize him for the role of Lt. Dan Taylor, a bitter Vietnam War veteran and double amputee in the 1994 film, "Forrest Gump."

In thanking the Tournament of Roses for the grand marshal honor, he recalled the movie's famous line, saying, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."

It was during the filming of "Forrest Gump" that Sinise was introduced to the Disabled American Veterans organization. He has volunteered with the USO, entertained troops around the world with his band, the Lt. Dan Band, and also created the Gary Sinise Foundation.



The foundation's mission is to honor America's veterans, first responders and families in need.

"Our veterans or active duty service members, military families, first responders - if I can shine a light on them and help make a difference in their lives, make a positive difference in their lives and shine an even bigger light because I'm the grand marshal of the Tournament of Roses and it's watched all over the world, then that's a good thing," Sinise said.

He added, "These people are, whether you know it or not, each day people are doing dangerous things in dangerous situations to try to defend us all."
[Ads /]
Over the years, Sinise's humanitarian work has also been recognized with several awards, including the Presidential Citizens Medal.

Sinise will ride through Pasadena in the 129th Rose Parade on New Year's Day and participate in the celebration before at the 104th Rose Bowl game, which will be a college football playoff semifinal.

You can watch the Rose Parade on New Year's Day on ABC7.

PHOTOS: 2017 Rose Parade float winners
The Netflix float 'Soar Beyond Imagination' winning entry, the Craftsman Trophy for exceptional achievement in showmanship for floats 55 feet and over, rolls along the Rose Parade.AP
The China Airlines float 'Return to the Beauty of Taiwan' winning entry, the International Trophy for most beautiful entry from outside the U.S., rolls along the Rose Parade.AP
The La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association float winning entry, the Bob Hope Humor Trophy for most comical and amusing entry, rolls along the Rose Parade.AP
The Trader Joe's float winning entry, the Tournament Special Trophy for exceptional merit: Trader Joe's, "All Aboard! 50 years Of Serving The Best'' rolls along the Rose Parade.AP
The City of Torrance, Calif., float 'Be Your Own Knight' winning entry, the Tournament Volunteer Trophy for most best floral design 35 feet and under, rolls along the Rose Parade.AP
The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee float, winner of the Princesses' Trophy, Most beautiful float 35 rolls along the parade route of the 128th Rose Parade in Pasadena.AP
The RAGU Pasta Sauce "Simmered in Tradition" float winner the National Trophy, for Best depiction of life in the U.S.A., past, present or future rolls along the 128th Rose Parade.AP
The Sierra Madre Rose Float Association float The Cat's Away, winner of the Mayors' Trophy for most outstanding city entry - national or international rolls along the Rose Parade.AP
The Union Bank and the American Heart Association float, winner of Judges' Special Trophy for most spectacular in showmanship and dramatic impact.AP
The The UPS Store Inc., "Books Bring Us Together" float, winner of the I Isabella Coleman Trophy, follows the Arcadia High School band during the 128th Rose Parade in Pasadena.AP
The Cal Poly Universities float, winner of the Founders' Trophy for most beautiful float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization.AP
The 24-Hour Fitness, "Do More With Your 24." float entry, winner of the Crown City Innovation Trophy for best use of imagination and innovation to advance the art of floral design.AP
The BDK, A Singpoli Affiliate, "The Monkey King: Journey to Success,'' float, winner of the Fantasy Trophy for most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination.AP
Lucy Pet's Gnarly Crankin' K-9 Wave Maker float, which won the Extraordinaire Trophy for most spectacular float in the 2017 Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.KABC
A volunteer works on the Lucy Pet's Gnarly Crankin' K9 Wave Maker parade float after it was given the Guinness world record for the longest and heaviest Rose Parade float.AP
The Northwestern Mutual "Waves of Hope" float, winner of the Animation Trophy rolls along the 128th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.AP
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation float "To Honor And Remember Orlando," winner of the Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy for most-beautiful noncommercial float.AP
"The Bachelor" float, with the theme Echoes of Love, won the President's Award for most effective use and presentation of flowers in the 2017 Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.KABC
Farmers Insurance's We Came, We Saw, We Covered float, which won the Grand Marshal Award for most creative concept and design in the 2017 Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.KABC
Miracle-Gro's Everything's Coming Up Roses float, which won the Queen's Award for most effective use and display of roses in the 2017 Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.KABC
Dole Packaged Foods' Spirit of Hawaii float, the Sweepstakes winner in the 2017 Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.KABC


The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Report a correction or typo
Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.