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Apr 2, 2008 10:28 pm US/Central
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Hometown War Hero Turns TV Star
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (CBS) ―
Bryan Anderson has come a long way since a roadside bomb took his legs and an arm, and Wednesday night his acting dreams became a reality when he played a suspect on CSI: New York.
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports it was the star treatment from the get-go for Anderson, an Iraq War veteran.
The 23-year-old Rolling Meadows man arrived at the New Lenox bar with an entourage and in a limo to watch his guest appearance on CSI: New York, his first real acting job.
A roadside bomb took both of Anderson's legs and an arm in 2005. So, Wednesday night's gathering was also a fundraiser for veterans groups, including the Disabled Patriot Fund, a group that's helped Anderson from the beginning.
"It's a great example of where somebody who's faced so much difficulty and so much adversity, all of a sudden he comes back with the right spirit and he's pursuing and acting career and tonight is his debut," said Pat McShane, president of the Disabled Patriot Fund.
Anderson said working on CSI was a thrill.
"It was extremely exciting – it was fun, it was awesome," Anderson said. "The actors, Gary Sinise and Eddie Cahill, they're awesome."
His Army buddy says it's great for him.
"When somebody goes through what he has, you worry about him, but after it happened and you see that he did not change, it is an inspiration," said Sgt. Joe Cabaday.
And speaking of inspiration, little Thomas Golden is too young to watch CSI, but he simply waited at the restaurant for three hours to meet Anderson -- not the actor, but the soldier.
Golden said he counts Anderson as a hero "because he served for our country."
Anderson said he thought his performance in the show was "OK," and his friends say he wants to be a stuntman. We'll have to wait and see if this leads to anything else out West.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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