1953-02-21 Evanston, Illinois, USA
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.
 |
Three Short Plays by Tracy Letts | Ted | 2021-09-29 |
 |
Friedkin Uncut | Self | 2018-11-05 |
 |
CSI: Immortality | Gil Grissom | 2015-09-27 |
 |
100 Years of Wrigley Field | Narrator | 2014-03-11 |
 |
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World | Trucker | 2012-06-22 |
 |
Detachment | Mr. Sarge Kepler | 2011-04-24 |
 |
This Old Cub | Himself | 2004-08-25 |
 |
Blue Neon Night: Michael Connelly's Los Angeles | Narrator | 2004-05-03 |
 |
Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.' | Himself | 2003-12-02 |
 |
Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivy | Narrator | 2001-09-27 |
 |
Haven | Jackson Connolly | 2001-02-11 |
 |
Inside 'Manhunter' | Himself | 2001-02-13 |
 |
The Contender | Jack Hathaway | 2000-10-13 |
 |
The Skulls | Ames Levritt | 2000-03-31 |
 |
Gunshy | Jake Bridges | 1998-03-06 |
 |
The Staircase | Joad | 1998-04-12 |
 |
The Rat Pack | John F. Kennedy | 1998-08-22 |
 |
Kiss the Sky | Jess | 1998-10-26 |
 |
12 Angry Men | Juror 12 | 1997-08-17 |
 |
Mulholland Falls | Jack Flynn | 1996-04-26 |
 |
The Beast | Whip Dalton | 1996-04-28 |
 |
Fear | Steve Walker | 1996-04-12 |
 |
In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King | Tony C. | 1995-03-01 |
 |
Curaçao | Stephen Guerin | 1993-06-27 |
 |
Passed Away | Frank Scanlan | 1992-04-24 |
 |
Keep the Change | Joe Starling | 1992-06-09 |
 |
Hard Promises | Joey | 1992-01-31 |
 |
Young Guns II | Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett | 1990-08-01 |
 |
Cousins | Tom Hardy | 1989-02-10 |
 |
Long Gone | Stud Cantrell | 1987-05-23 |
 |
Amazing Grace and Chuck | Russell (as William L. Petersen) | 1987-05-22 |
 |
Manhunter | Will Graham | 1986-08-14 |
 |
To Live and Die in L.A. | Richard Chance | 1985-11-01 |
 |
Thief | Katz & Jammer Bartender | 1981-03-27 |
