Before They Were Stars (2-for-1 Special): Gary Sinise and John Malkovich in a PBS Production of “True West”

To celebrate Gary Sinise’s birthday today, I think it’s worth looking back at his successful early career in the theatre. In 1982, Sinise directed and starred in an acclaimed stage production of Sam Shepard’s play, True West… which also happened to star a young, unknown actor named John Malkovich! Their production proved so successful that PBS decided to feature it on a 1984 episode of their series, American Playhouse. The quality of this clip would indicate that this is from a rare, LONG out-of-print VHS version of the production, but it’s neat to see both these actors in the prime of their stage careers before they found success in Hollywood. Incidentally, Sinise and Malkovich would reunite again in 1992 for an acclaimed film version of Of Mice and Men.