The actor who portrayed Forrest Gump in the 1994 movie of the same name is Tom Hanks. However, the actor who played his best friend, Lieutenant Dan Taylor, was Gary SINISE, a six-letter word that can be found in the crossword solution. SINISE is an American actor, director, and musician who has been active in the entertainment industry since the 1970s. He has won numerous awards for his work, including an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.