
William Petersen
Known for department: Acting
Birthday: 1953-02-21
Place of birth: Evanston, Illinois, USA
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.
Known for

Fear
1996Steve Walker
Mulholland Falls
1996Jack Flynn
Thief
1981Katz & Jammer Bartender
Three Short Plays by Tracy Letts
2021Ted
Manhunter
1986Will Graham
The Skulls
2000Ames Levritt
Cousins
1989Tom Hardy
The Rat Pack
1998John F. Kennedy
12 Angry Men
1997Juror 12
Young Guns II
1990Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett
To Live and Die in L.A.
1985Richard Chance
Passed Away
1992Frank Scanlan
Kiss the Sky
1998Jess
Detachment
2011Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler
Amazing Grace and Chuck
1987Russell
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
2012Trucker
Long Gone
1987Stud Cantrell
Hard Promises
1992Joey
The Staircase
1998Joad