
William L. Petersen
Known for Acting · 47 credits
- Born
- 1953-02-21 (age 73)
- Place of birth
- Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Also known as
- William L. Petersen · William Peterson · William Louis Petersen · William 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.
Known For
TV Shows (13)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
as Gil Grissom

Late Show with David Letterman
1993
as Self - Guest

Without a Trace
2002
as Gil Grissom

The Twilight Zone
1985
as (segment "Need to Know")

Sacrée soirée
1987
as Self

CSI: Vegas
2021
as Gil Grissom

Manhattan
2014
as Col. Emmett Darrow

Fallen Angels
1993
as Georgie

Blue
2012
as Mitch

The Directors
1999
as Self

Return to Lonesome Dove
1993
as Captain Gideon Walker

The Beast
1996
as Whip Dalton

The Kennedys of Massachusetts
1990
as Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
Movies (34)

Fear
1996
as Steve Walker

Detachment
2011
as Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler

Thief
1981
as Katz & Jammer Bartender

Young Guns II
1990
as Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett

12 Angry Men
1997
as Juror 12

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

Mulholland Falls
1996
as Jack Flynn

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

Passed Away
1992
as Frank Scanlan

Cousins
1989
as Tom Hardy

The Contender
2000
as Jack Hathaway

The Skulls
2000
as Ames Levritt

Haven
2001
as Jackson Connolly

The Beast
1996
as Whip Dalton

Curaçao
1993
as Stephen Guerin

Hard Promises
1992
as Joey

Gunshy
1998
as Jake Bridges

CSI: Immortality
2015
as Gil Grissom

Long Gone
1987
as Stud Cantrell

The Rat Pack
1998
as John F. Kennedy

Kiss the Sky
1998
as Jess

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

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

Friedkin Uncut
2018
as Self

Amazing Grace and Chuck
1987
as Russell

Keep the Change
1992
as Joe Starling

Inside 'Manhunter'
2001
as Himself

This Old Cub
2004
as Himself

The Staircase
1998
as Joad

Three Short Plays by Tracy Letts
2021
as Ted

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

Manhunter
1986
as Will Graham

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

Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivy
2001
as Narrator
About 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 w… With 47 credits spanning from 1981 to 2021, William L. Petersen has appeared in 34 films and 13 TV shows.
Fans searching for William L. Petersen movies, William L. Petersen filmography, or the latest projects starring William L. Petersen can stream many of these titles on CineFlixo, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular William L. Petersen Movies
- Fear (1996) — as Steve Walker
- Detachment (2011) — as Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler
- Thief (1981) — as Katz & Jammer Bartender
- Young Guns II (1990) — as Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett
- 12 Angry Men (1997) — as Juror 12
Where to Watch William L. Petersen Films
Most William L. Petersen movies and series are available to stream on CineFlixo in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring William L. Petersen, check our movies catalogue and browse page.