William L. Petersen

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.

Movies & TV Shows

1. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) — Trucker
2. Detachment (2011) — Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler
3. Manhunter (1986) — Will Graham
4. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) — Gil Grissom
5. Fear (1996) — Steve Walker
6. Thief (1981) — Katz & Jammer Bartender
7. To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) — Richard Chance
8. Young Guns II (1990) — Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett
9. The Skulls (2000) — Ames Levritt
10. 12 Angry Men (1997) — Juror 12
11. Mulholland Falls (1996) — Jack Flynn
12. CSI: Vegas (2021) — Gil Grissom
13. Without a Trace (2002) — Gil Grissom
14. The Contender (2000) — Jack Hathaway
15. The Twilight Zone (1985) — (segment "Need to Know")
16. Late Show with David Letterman (1993) — Self - Guest
17. Manhattan (2014) — Col. Emmett Darrow
18. The Beast (1996) — Whip Dalton
19. CSI: Immortality (2015) — Gil Grissom
20. Cousins (1989) — Tom Hardy
21. Friedkin Uncut (2018) — Self
22. The Rat Pack (1998) — John F. Kennedy
23. Return to Lonesome Dove (1993) — Captain Gideon Walker
24. Gunshy (1998) — Jake Bridges
25. Passed Away (1992) — Frank Scanlan
26. Amazing Grace and Chuck (1987) — Russell
27. Long Gone (1987) — Stud Cantrell
28. Fallen Angels (1993) — Georgie
29. Hard Promises (1992) — Joey
30. Haven (2001) — Jackson Connolly
31. Curaçao (1993) — Stephen Guerin
32. Blue (2012) — Mitch
33. Kiss the Sky (1998) — Jess
34. The Directors (1999) — Self
35. The Staircase (1998) — Joad
36. The Kennedys of Massachusetts (1990) — Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
37. Sacrée soirée (1987) — Self
38. Inside 'Manhunter' (2001) — Himself
39. The Beast (1996) — Whip Dalton
40. In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King (1995) — Tony C.