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.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.
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