William Petersen
Known For
Acting
Born
1953-02-21 in Evanston, Illinois, USA
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.
Most Known For
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
as Gil Grissom
The Twilight Zone
as (segment "Need to Know")
Without a Trace
as Gil Grissom
CSI: Vegas
as Gil Grissom
Sacrée Soirée
as Self
Fallen Angels
as Georgie
Manhattan
as Col. Emmett Darrow
Fear
as Steve Walker
Detachment
as Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler
Gunshy
as Jake Bridges
Long Gone
as Stud Cantrell
Blue
as Mitch
Return to Lonesome Dove
as Captain Gideon Walker
The Directors
as Self
12 Angry Men
as Juror 12
Young Guns II
as Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett
To Live and Die in L.A.
as Richard Chance
Thief
as Katz & Jammer Bartender
Mulholland Falls
as Jack Flynn
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
as Trucker