King Gimp, Academy Award® Winner

"King Gimp tells a story of strength
and true courage…"
-- Houston Chronicle

The short documentary King Gimp follows the life of Dan Keplinger from age 13 until his graduation from college. This award winning film documents the struggle of an individual with cerbral palsy entering the mainstream as well as the birth of an artist.

King Gimp began when University of Maryland film producers Susan Hadary and William Whiteford began filming for Begining with Bong, an educational documentary video on the lives of six children of different ages and disabilities attending mainstream schools. Among them was Bong Delrosario, who later starred in the HBO SpecialBong & Donnell, and a spirited young "Danny" Keplinger.

The film King Gimp documents Dan's joys and frustations including the freedom granted by his first power wheelchair, his rebellion against using a computer-generated voice, his everyday strides for independence, and his most life altering discovery--art.

"Exhilarating but far from embarrassing…"-- New York Times

In 2000, King Gimp won the prestigous Oscar Award® for best short documentary from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. At the Oscar Awards event, Dan Keplinger was so excited he lept from his wheelchair. "Most people thought I was having a sezure, but I was only jumping for joy," Dan later explained to reporters.

"Don’t wake up Dan Keplinger, because he’s not dreaming..."
-- USA Today

King Gimp has been broadcast on HBO and has received many other high profile awards and recognitions including a Peabody Award, National EMMY Nomination and The New York Festivals Media Disability Awareness Award.

This film is often used by schools, universities and diability organizations as an educational tool to teach disability awareness and inclusion. King Gimp is exclusely distributed by Video Press, as well as two follow-up programs: The King's Miracle and The King of Arts. (A school version of King Gimp is also available with adult-rated language removed.)

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The King's Miracle

In 2004, producers Susan Hadary and William Whiteford created the follow-up to Dan's story entitledThe King’s Miracle. From the moment King Gimp won an Oscar®, the miracle started Dan Keplinger on a new journey. "My life’s transformed and suddenly I’m famous," Dan says. This video presents highlights of Dan's life for the five years following his momentous night at the Oscars. He has a gallery in New York, solo art shows, and travels throughout the country as a national speaker on arts and disabilities. Dan’s recognized wherever he goes. "He’s the most famous student I’ve ever had," says his college at teacher. » See a clip of The King's Miracle

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The King of Arts

Dan Keplinger, on the verge of completing his Masters degree in Fine Art, shocks the world with the intensity of his emotion through the power of painting. The King of Arts explores the richness of a virtual gallery of Dan’s paintings, sculptures and pastels with commentary on being an artist.
» See a clip of The King of Arts

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» Gimp Notes: excerpts from the writings of Dan Keplinger, AKA King Gimp.

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