Sinise Will Play 'New York' CSI Calucci

See Also: 'MIA/NYC - NonStop' Episode Guide

It's official: Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise will be CSI: New York's leading man.

Sinise, best known for his roles in films such as Forrest Gump and Apollo 13, yesterday signed on the dotted line after weeks of negotiations with CBS, Variety reported. The actor's six-figure contract is reportedly worth between $120,000-$150,000 per episode.

The actor will play crime scene investigator Rick Calucci, a character first revealed by CSI Files yesterday. Calucci, who lost his wife during the September 11 terrorist attacks, will be a New Yorker through and through, according to co-creator Anthony E. Zuiker. "He has a soulfulness about him and really represents the pulse of New York," the writer said.

Zuiker first approached Sinise about starring in CSI: New York during a four-hour dinner six weeks ago. "I walked out of there thinking we had a lot to offer each other, showrunner to star," he said.

CBS chairman Les Moonves said the casting of Sinise was a big coup for the third CSI incarnation. "We're thrilled to get an actor like Gary Sinise, who is someone we've been chasing for many years," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "What especially makes it great is to get an actor who will give such distinction to the third CSI and really distinguish it from the other two shows. He's just a great get for us."

Just like William Petersen (Gil Grissom) when he joined CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Sinise has never had a regular television gig. However, he has appeared in mini-series and telefilms, winning Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Awards for George Wallace and a Golden Globe for Truman.

Sinise will make his debut in a May sweeps episode of CSI: Miami, which will introduce the Big Apple spin-off and the other New York CSIs, including Carmine Giovinazzo and Vanessa Ferlito. The female lead has not yet been announced.

Read the original articles at Variety (registration required) and the Hollywood Reporter.

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