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.
Acting
Movie
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
as Trucker
2012
Movie
Detachment
as Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler
2011
Movie
Manhunter
as Will Graham
1986
TV
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
as Gil Grissom
2000
Movie
Fear
as Steve Walker
1996
Movie
Thief
as Katz & Jammer Bartender
1981
Movie
To Live and Die in L.A.
as Richard Chance
1985
Movie
The Skulls
as Ames Levritt
2000
Movie
Young Guns II
as Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett
1990
Movie
12 Angry Men
as Juror 12
1997
Movie
Mulholland Falls
as Jack Flynn
1996
TV
CSI: Vegas
as Gil Grissom
2021
TV
Without a Trace
as Gil Grissom
2002
Movie
The Contender
as Jack Hathaway
2000
TV
The Twilight Zone
as (segment "Need to Know")
1985
TV
Late Show with David Letterman
as Self - Guest
1993
TV
Manhattan
as Col. Emmett Darrow
2014
TV
The Beast
as Whip Dalton
1996
Movie
CSI: Immortality
as Gil Grissom
2015
Movie
Cousins
as Tom Hardy
1989
Movie
Friedkin Uncut
as Self
2018
Movie
The Rat Pack
as John F. Kennedy
1998
TV
Return to Lonesome Dove
as Captain Gideon Walker
1993
Movie
Gunshy
as Jake Bridges
1998
