
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.
Known For
Credits
- 2021 ·CSI: Vegasas Gil Grissom
- 2021 ·Three Short Plays by Tracy Lettsas Ted
- 2018 ·Friedkin Uncutas Self
- 2015 ·CSI: Immortalityas Gil Grissom
- 2014 ·Manhattanas Col. Emmett Darrow
- 2014 ·100 Years of Wrigley Fieldas Narrator
- 2012 ·Seeking a Friend for the End of the Worldas Trucker
- 2012 ·Blueas Mitch
- 2011 ·Detachmentas Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler
- 2004 ·This Old Cubas Himself
- 2004 ·Blue Neon Night: Michael Connelly's Los Angelesas Narrator
- 2003 ·Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.'as Self
- 2002 ·Without a Traceas Gil Grissom
- 2001 ·Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivyas Narrator
- 2001 ·Inside 'Manhunter'as Himself
- 2001 ·Havenas Jackson Connolly
- 2000 ·The Contenderas Jack Hathaway
- 2000 ·CSI: Crime Scene Investigationas Gil Grissom
- 2000 ·The Skullsas Ames Levritt
- 1999 ·The Directorsas Self
- 1998 ·Kiss the Skyas Jess
- 1998 ·The Rat Packas John F. Kennedy
- 1998 ·The Staircaseas Joad
- 1998 ·Gunshyas Jake Bridges
- 1997 ·12 Angry Menas Juror 12
- 1996 ·The Beastas Whip Dalton
- 1996 ·The Beastas Whip Dalton
- 1996 ·Mulholland Fallsas Jack Flynn
- 1996 ·Fearas Steve Walker
- 1995 ·In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is Kingas Tony C.
- 1993 ·Return to Lonesome Doveas Captain Gideon Walker
- 1993 ·Fallen Angelsas Georgie
- 1993 ·Curaçaoas Stephen Guerin
- 1992 ·Keep the Changeas Joe Starling
- 1992 ·Passed Awayas Frank Scanlan
- 1992 ·Hard Promisesas Joey
- 1990 ·Young Guns IIas Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett
- 1990 ·The Kennedys of Massachusettsas Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
- 1989 ·Cousinsas Tom Hardy
- 1987 ·Sacrée soiréeas Self
- 1987 ·Long Goneas Stud Cantrell
- 1987 ·Amazing Grace and Chuckas Russell
- 1986 ·Manhunteras Will Graham
- 1985 ·To Live and Die in L.A.as Richard Chance
- 1985 ·The Twilight Zoneas (segment "Need to Know")
- 1981 ·Thiefas Katz & Jammer Bartender