
William L. Petersen
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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

Fear (1996)
as Steve Walker

Detachment (2011)
as Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
as Trucker

12 Angry Men (1997)
as Juror 12

Young Guns II (1990)
as Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett

The Skulls (2000)
as Ames Levritt

Mulholland Falls (1996)
as Jack Flynn

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
as Richard Chance

Thief (1981)
as Katz & Jammer Bartender

The Contender (2000)
as Jack Hathaway

Cousins (1989)
as Tom Hardy

CSI: Immortality (2015)
as Gil Grissom

Passed Away (1992)
as Frank Scanlan

Long Gone (1987)
as Stud Cantrell

The Rat Pack (1998)
as John F. Kennedy

Amazing Grace and Chuck (1987)
as Russell

Gunshy (1998)
as Jake Bridges

Friedkin Uncut (2018)
as Self

In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King (1995)
as Tony C.

Inside 'Manhunter' (2001)
as Himself

Hard Promises (1992)
as Joey

This Old Cub (2004)
as Himself

Kiss the Sky (1998)
as Jess

Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.' (2003)
as Self

Blue Neon Night: Michael Connelly's Los Angeles (2004)
as Narrator

The Beast (1996)
as Whip Dalton

Three Short Plays by Tracy Letts (2021)
as Ted

Haven (2001)
as Jackson Connolly

100 Years of Wrigley Field (2014)
as Self - Narrator (voice)

The Staircase (1998)
as Joad

Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivy (2001)
as Narrator

Curaçao (1993)
as Stephen Guerin

Keep the Change (1992)
as Joe Starling

Manhunter (1986)
as Will Graham





