William L. 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.
Born: 21 February 1953
Played In
TV Show
Oct 2021
CSI: Vegas
Gil Grissom
Movie
Sep 2021
Three Short Plays by Tracy Letts
Ted
Movie
Nov 2018
Friedkin Uncut
Self
Movie
Sep 2015
CSI: Immortality
Gil Grissom
TV Show
Jul 2014
Manhattan
Col. Emmett Darrow
Movie
Mar 2014
100 Years of Wrigley Field
Self - Narrator (voice)
Movie
Jun 2012
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Trucker
TV Show
Jun 2012
Blue
Mitch
Movie
Apr 2011
Detachment
Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler
Movie
Aug 2004
This Old Cub
Himself
Movie
May 2004
Blue Neon Night: Michael Connelly's Los Angeles
Narrator
Movie
Dec 2003
Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.'
Self
TV Show
Sep 2002
Without a Trace
Gil Grissom
Movie
Sep 2001
Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivy
Narrator
Movie
Feb 2001
Inside 'Manhunter'
Himself
Movie
Feb 2001
Haven
Jackson Connolly
Movie
Oct 2000
The Contender
Jack Hathaway
TV Show
Oct 2000
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Gil Grissom
Movie
Mar 2000
The Skulls
Ames Levritt
TV Show
Jan 1999
The Directors
Self
Movie
Oct 1998
Kiss the Sky
Jess
Movie
Aug 1998
The Rat Pack
John F. Kennedy
Movie
Apr 1998
The Staircase
Joad
Movie
Mar 1998
Gunshy
Jake Bridges
Movie
Aug 1997
12 Angry Men
Juror 12
Movie
Apr 1996
The Beast
Whip Dalton
TV Show
Apr 1996
The Beast
Whip Dalton
Movie
Apr 1996
Mulholland Falls
Jack Flynn
Movie
Apr 1996
Fear
Steve Walker
Movie
Mar 1995
In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King
Tony C.
TV Show
Nov 1993
Return to Lonesome Dove
Captain Gideon Walker
TV Show
Aug 1993
Late Show with David Letterman
Self - Guest
TV Show
Aug 1993
Fallen Angels
Georgie
Movie
Jun 1993
Curaçao
Stephen Guerin
Movie
Jun 1992
Keep the Change
Joe Starling
Movie
Apr 1992
Passed Away
Frank Scanlan
Movie
Jan 1992
Hard Promises
Joey
Movie
Aug 1990
Young Guns II
Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett
TV Show
Feb 1990
The Kennedys of Massachusetts
Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
Movie
Feb 1989
Cousins
Tom Hardy
TV Show
Sep 1987
Sacrée soirée
Self
Movie
May 1987
Long Gone
Stud Cantrell
Movie
May 1987
Amazing Grace and Chuck
Russell
Movie
Aug 1986
Manhunter
Will Graham
Movie
Nov 1985
To Live and Die in L.A.
Richard Chance
TV Show
Sep 1985
The Twilight Zone
(segment "Need to Know")
Movie
Mar 1981
Thief
Katz & Jammer Bartender