GLEE Casts Disabled Actor Zach Weinstein as Guest-Star

In November, GLEE aired an episode titled "Wheels," featuring the character of Artie, who cannot walk. In the episode, the glee club didn't have the funding to afford a bus for regionals that could accommodate Artie and his wheelchair. The episode also featured two actresses with Down's Syndrome. The two actresses actually have Down's Syndrome, which drew attention to the fact that the actor who plays Artie, Kevin McHale, is not really disabled.

Many sources criticized this casting choice, including "CSI"'s Robert David Hall, who is disabled.

Today, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation website posted a letter from an actor named Zach Weinstein, who is disabled. Weinstein was recently hired by Glee for a guest-starring role.

Although not much is yet known about the episode, Weinstein said that he'll play "a character who had suffered a spinal cord injury." While on set, the actor received his own wheelchair-friendly trailer. "I got to say things like, ‘Call me when you're ready; I'll be in my trailer,'" said Weinstein. Weinstein was also disabled by a spinal cord injury. It happened while he was at summer camp and got into a boating accident.

He said of his role, "The important thing is that people like me are being written into popular shows like "Glee". They didn't base the character on me, I ended up being a good representation of the character they created."

Despite the criticism surrounding the casting of Kevin McHale, Weinstein, "I know for a fact that the producers did audition actors who use wheelchairs [for the role of Artie]. If Kevin McHale was best for the part, then it shouldn't matter whether or not he's able to walk in real life."
To read Zack Weinstein's letter, click here.

Recent winner of the People's Choice Award for Best New Comedy and Golden Globe winner for Best Television Series Comedy or Musical, GLEE, the new musical comedy series, follows an optimistic teacher who - against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach - attempts to save McKinley High's Glee Club from obscurity while helping a group of aspiring underdogs realize their true star potential.

The show, which also garnered Golden Globe recognition, stars Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling and Jenna Ushkowitz.

Due to the success of the first installment of the show, which aired last on December 9, FOX has already ordered a second season of the show and announced that it will soon be launching a nationwide search to cast three new roles, which will be documented on the network in the multi-part special. These newest additions will make their debut on the second season premiere.

GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are co-creators of the series. Murphy, Falchuk and Dante di Loreto serve as executive producers, while Ian Brennan serves as co-executive producer.

GLEE returns to FOX on April 13, 2010 at 9:30pm. For information on the upcoming GLEE tour this summer, visit www.gleetour2010.com.