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William Petersen

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.


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Born:
Feb 21, 1953 In Evanston, Illinois, USA
Movie/TV Credits:
39
First Appeared:
In the movie Thief 1981-03-27
Latest Project:
Series CSI: Vegas 2021-10-06
Known For
Poster of The Staircase
Poster of The Beast
Poster of In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King
Poster of The Twilight Zone
Filmography
Series CSI: Vegas Gil Grissom 2021-10-06
Movie Friedkin Uncut Self 2018-11-05
Movie CSI: Immortality Gil Grissom 2015-09-27
Series Manhattan Col. Emmett Darrow 2014-07-27
Movie Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Trucker 2012-06-22
Movie Detachment Mr. Sarge Kepler 2011-04-24
Movie This Old Cub Himself 2004-08-25
Movie Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.' Himself 2003-12-02
Series Without a Trace Unknown 2002-09-26
Movie Haven Jackson Connolly 2001-02-11
Movie Inside 'Manhunter' Himself 2001-02-13
Movie The Skulls Ames Levritt 2000-03-31
Series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gil Grissom 2000-10-06
Movie The Contender Jack Hathaway 2000-10-13
Series The Directors Unknown 1999-01-01
Movie Gunshy Jake Bridges 1998-03-06
Movie The Staircase Joad 1998-04-12
Movie The Rat Pack John F. Kennedy 1998-08-22
Movie Kiss the Sky Jess 1998-10-26
Movie 12 Angry Men Juror 12 1997-08-17
Movie Fear Steve Walker 1996-04-12
Movie Mulholland Falls Jack Flynn 1996-04-26
Series The Beast Whip Dalton 1996-04-28
Movie In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King Tony C. 1995-03-01
Movie Curaçao Stephen Guerin 1993-06-27
Series Fallen Angels Unknown 1993-08-01
Series Return to Lonesome Dove Captain Gideon Walker 1993-11-14
Movie Passed Away Frank Scanlan 1992-04-24
Movie Hard Promises Joey 1992-01-31
Movie Keep the Change Joe Starling 1992-06-09
Series The Kennedys of Massachusetts Joseph P. 'Joe' Kennedy, Sr. 1990-02-18
Movie Young Guns II Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett 1990-08-01
Movie Cousins Tom Hardy 1989-02-10
Movie Amazing Grace and Chuck Russell (as William L. Petersen) 1987-05-22
Movie Long Gone Stud Cantrell 1987-05-23
Movie Manhunter Will Graham 1986-08-14
Series The Twilight Zone Unknown 1985-09-27
Movie To Live and Die in L.A. Richard Chance 1985-11-01
Movie Thief Katz & Jammer Bartender 1981-03-27