William Petersen

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

16.158

Gender

Male

Birthday

21-Feb-1953

Age

(71 years old)

Place of Birth

Evanston, Illinois, USA

Also Known As
  • William L. Petersen
  • William Peterson
  • William Louis Petersen

William Petersen

Biography

William Louis Petersen is an American actor and producer, best known for playing Dr. Gilbert "Gil" Grissom on the hit CBS series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Richard Chance in the film To Live and Die in L.A., and Will Graham in the film Manhunter. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Petersen attended Idaho State University on a football scholarship, where he first tried acting and immediately joined the drama department, before leaving to work in the Basque country as a Shakespearean actor. Peterson embraced the Basque lifestyle, influencing his work, family and art. He went on to perform with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company before his breakthrough role in the 1985 action film To Live and Die in L.A. Peterson’s success was immediate, landing him the role as Will Graham in the first adaptation of Michael Mann’s Hannibal Lecter series. His film and television success includes numerous crime dramas and thrillers, providing him the perfect background for his decade-long role as Dr. Gil Grissom in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation before returning to the stage.  On February 3, 2009, Petersen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


Credits

Three Short Plays by Tracy Letts Three Short Plays by Tracy Letts (2021) Character: Ted
These plays, all written by Tony and Pulitzer-winning playwright and Steppenwolf ensemble member Tracy Letts, share at least one thread: a world off-kilter. These gripping pieces create the opening landscape of this season and will mark a bridge between where we have been and where we are going.
This Old Cub This Old Cub (2004) Character: Himself
Jeff Santo explores the life and career of his father, Chicago Cub great Ron Santo.
Inside 'Manhunter' Inside 'Manhunter' (2001) Character: Himself
A DVD Special Feature documentary on the experience of turning the chilling novel "Red Dragon" into a motion picture, all told through the actors and director of the first interpretation on film of the hideously complex Hannibal Lecter. Features interviews with Director Michael Mann, and actors Brian Cox, William Petersen, Tom Noonan, and Joan Allen.
Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivy Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivy (2001) Character: Narrator
Actor William Petersen narrates this documentary about Chicago's venerable baseball stadium, Wrigley Field, focusing on a variety of quirky fans who've spent so much time there that they've become part of the stadium experience. These colorful Cubs enthusiasts tell their stories and discuss how both baseball and Wrigley Field have become an integral part of their lives. A bonus feature on Comiskey Park -- home of the rival White Sox -- is included.
100 Years of Wrigley Field 100 Years of Wrigley Field (2014) Character: Narrator
100 Years of Wrigley Field celebrates a century of the greatest moments and best personalities of the ballpark on Chicago's North Side.
Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.' Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.' (2003) Character: Himself
The magic and creation behind the making of William Friedkin's classic action film To Live and Die in L.A. (1985). It follows cast, crew and the director several years after the film sharing their experiences while working on the project, also including footage from the shooting, and they discuss in detail the conception of the most spectacular scenes filmed there and also the great debate about the different endings developed for the film.
Blue Neon Night: Michael Connelly's Los Angeles Blue Neon Night: Michael Connelly's Los Angeles (2004) Character: Narrator
Bestselling author Michael Connelly, one of the biggest names in crime fiction, is featured in this documentary as he talks about the city of Los Angeles, its bright side, its dark side, and how it all gives his novels their unique flair. Interspersed within the film are clips showing different spots of the Los Angeles area as William Petersen reads excerpts from the novels. Together, they give Connelly fans an in-depth look into Los Angeles and its influence on the author.
The Staircase The Staircase (1998) Character: Joad
A mysterious carpenter appears just as a church is in need of repair.
Haven Haven (2001) Character: Jackson Connolly
Based on the true story of a woman named Ruth Gruber who travels to Europe to help escort 1000 Jewish War victims to the United States. She comes to love and feel sorry for them all, and fights for their rights to live in America.
In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King (1995) Character: Tony C.
Al is caught between his loyalty to the police force and his love for his brother in a tense setting. It seems that his brother, Rudy, was involved in a mob hit that could potentially start a gang war. Tony C., a local mob boss and childhood acquaintance of Al, hires him to find out who was involved in the hit. Al must find his brother and make some decisions.
Keep the Change Keep the Change (1992) Character: Joe Starling
A struggling artist visits his family on their Montana ranch and finds that his former flame, daughter of a family foe, is now married to an old friend.
The Beast The Beast (1996) Character: Whip Dalton
Mysterious things happen at the coast of Graves Point: An empty boat lies at the shore, divers vanish. The sea biologist Dr. Talley thinks he knows the solution of the mystery: In the depth there is a gigantic squid.
Curaçao Curaçao (1993) Character: Stephen Guerin
Cornelius Wettering and Stephen Guerin are expatriates living in Curaçao. They're bound together by an understanding that each is hiding from a dangerous past.
Passed Away Passed Away (1992) Character: Frank Scanlan
Thrown for a loop by the unexpected news that Dad has suddenly gone to his reward, the grieving eccentric Scanian clan are drawn together in a test of familial endurance that soon has them at each other's throats.
The Skulls The Skulls (2000) Character: Ames Levritt
A senior at an Ivy League college, who depends on scholarships and working on the side, gets accepted into the secret society The Skulls. He hopes it betters chances at Harvard but The Skulls is not what he thought and comes at a price.
Amazing Grace and Chuck Amazing Grace and Chuck (1987) Character: Russell
Average American boy Chuck Murdock goes on a school outing to a nuclear weapons facility, where he learns about the destructive power that sits at the fingertips of the military. Knowing that the world could end with the push of a button, he protests against nuclear war by walking out on his Little League team during a game. Chuck's stunt ends up in the local paper, and as the story snowballs, basketball star "Amazing Grace" Smith decides to boycott sports, too.
Mulholland Falls Mulholland Falls (1996) Character: Jack Flynn
In 1950s Los Angeles, a special crime squad of the LAPD investigates the murder of a young woman.
Long Gone Long Gone (1987) Character: Stud Cantrell
Story of the Tampico Stogies, a low minor-league baseball team, and its star player and manager, Stud' Cantrell, as they battle for the league championship amidst the corruption and racism of the American south.
CSI: Immortality CSI: Immortality (2015) Character: Gil Grissom
An explosion inside a casino brings Catherine Willows back to Las Vegas to investigate. And when the crime is tied to Lady Heather, Gil Grissom is brought back as well to aid the investigation. This is a 2 part TV Special. Series Finale
The Contender The Contender (2000) Character: Jack Hathaway
The vice president is dead, and as the president makes his choice for a replacement, a secret contest of wills is being waged by a formidable rival. When Senator Laine Hanson is nominated as the first woman in history to hold the office, hidden agendas explode into a battle for power.
Manhunter Manhunter (1986) Character: Will Graham
FBI Agent Will Graham, who retired after catching Hannibal Lecter, returns to duty to engage in a risky cat-and-mouse game with Lecter to capture a new killer.
Detachment Detachment (2011) Character: Mr. Sarge Kepler
A chronicle of three weeks in the lives of several high school teachers, administrators and students through the eyes of substitute teacher, Henry Barthes. Henry roams from school to school, imparting modes of knowledge, but never staying long enough to form any semblance of sentient attachment.
Thief Thief (1981) Character: Katz & Jammer Bartender
Frank is an expert professional safecracker, specialized in high-profile diamond heists. He plans to use his ill-gotten income to retire from crime and build a nice life for himself complete with a home, wife and kids. To accelerate the process, he signs on with a top gangster for a big score.
Hard Promises Hard Promises (1992) Character: Joey
A man who doesn't like stable work environments has been away for too many years, and finds out his wife has divorced him and is planning to remarry. He comes home to confront her, trying to convince her not to get married, aided by the daughter, who loves him despite his wandering ways. The couple finds out they still have feelings for each other but must decide how best to handle the contradiction of their lifestyles.
Kiss the Sky Kiss the Sky (1998) Character: Jess
Two professionals, Jeff and Marty, take a business trip to the Philippines. Their deep dissatisfaction with their lives leads them to forsake their friends and families for a return to the alcohol and drug-induced wanderings of their youth.
The Rat Pack The Rat Pack (1998) Character: John F. Kennedy
After a brief flash-forward to Frank Sinatra as an old man, saying "I miss my guys," the movie's main narrative begins during high points in the solo careers of the Rat Pack: Dean Martin has become a big success despite the breakup of his partnership with Jerry Lewis; Sinatra's career is at its peak; Sammy Davis, Jr., is making a comeback after a near fatal car crash, and standup comic Joey Bishop is gaining exposure as an opening act for the other three. The Pack becomes complete when Sinatra reconciles with actor Peter Lawford, who has been ostracized since being seen out publicly with Sinatra's ex-wife, Ava Gardner.
Cousins Cousins (1989) Character: Tom Hardy
Two couples go to a mutual friend's wedding and end up swapping partners.
Gunshy Gunshy (1998) Character: Jake Bridges
When the New York journalist Jake Bridges catches his girlfriend with another guy, he goes to Atlantic City to drink himself to oblivion. He is saved from a bar brawl by a small-time mobster Frankie, and Jake falls in love with Frankie's girlfriend Melissa. Jake soon also joins Frankie in his money-collecting duties.
12 Angry Men 12 Angry Men (1997) Character: Juror 12
During the trial of a man accused of his father's murder, a lone juror takes a stand against the guilty verdict handed down by the others as a result of their preconceptions and prejudices.
Fear Fear (1996) Character: Steve Walker
Nicole Walker always dreamed of being swept away by someone special — someone strong, sexy and sensitive who would care for her more than anything else in the world. David is all that and more: a modern-day knight who charms and seduces her, body and soul. But her perfect boyfriend is not all he seems to be. His sweet facade masks a savage, dark side that will soon transform Nicole's dream into a nightmare.
Young Guns II Young Guns II (1990) Character: Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett
Three of the original five "young guns" — Billy the Kid, Jose Chavez y Chavez, and Doc Scurlock — return in Young Guns, Part 2, which is the story of Billy the Kid and his race to safety in Old Mexico while being trailed by a group of government agents led by Pat Garrett.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) Character: Trucker
As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. He decides to take a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. Accompanying him is a neighbor who inadvertently puts a wrench in his plan.
To Live and Die in L.A. To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) Character: Richard Chance
When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters.
Friedkin Uncut Friedkin Uncut (2018) Character: Self
An introspective insight into the life and artistic journey of William Friedkin, an extraordinary and offbeat director of cult films such as The French Connection, The Exorcist, Sorcerer, Cruising, To Live and Die in L.A. and Killer Joe. For the first time Friedkin opens up, guiding the audience on a fascinating journey through the themes and the stories that have influenced his life and his artistic career.



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