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.

Filmography

• CSI: Vegas — Gil Grissom, Executive Producer
• 2021Three Short Plays by Tracy Letts — Ted
• 2015CSI: Immortality — Gil Grissom, Executive Producer
• Manhattan — Col. Emmett Darrow
• Blue — Mitch
• 2012Seeking a Friend for the End of the World — Trucker
• 2011Detachment — Mr. 'Sarge' Kepler
• 2004Blue Neon Night: Michael Connelly's Los Angeles — Narrator
• Without a Trace — Gil Grissom
• 2001Haven — Jackson Connolly
• Haven — Jackson Connolly
• 2001Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivy — Narrator
• CSI: Crime Scene Investigation — Gil Grissom, Executive Producer, Supervising Producer, Co-Executive Producer
• 2000The Contender — Jack Hathaway
• 2000The Skulls — Ames Levritt
• 1998Gunshy — Jake Bridges
• 1998Kiss the Sky — Jess
• 1998The Rat Pack — John F. Kennedy
• 1998The Staircase — Joad
• 199712 Angry Men — Juror 12
• 1996Fear — Steve Walker
• 1996Mulholland Falls — Jack Flynn
• 1996The Beast — Whip Dalton
• The Beast — Whip Dalton
• 1995In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King — Tony C.
• 1993Curaçao — Stephen Guerin
• Fallen Angels — Georgie
• Return to Lonesome Dove — Captain Gideon Walker
• 1992Hard Promises — Joey, Producer
• 1992Keep the Change — Joe Starling
• 1992Passed Away — Frank Scanlan
• The Kennedys of Massachusetts — Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
• 1990Young Guns II — Patrick Floyd 'Pat' Garrett
• 1989Cousins — Tom Hardy
• 1987Amazing Grace and Chuck — Russell
• 1987Long Gone — Stud Cantrell
• 1986Manhunter — Will Graham
• The Twilight Zone — (segment "Need to Know")
• 1985To Live and Die in L.A. — Richard Chance
• 1981Thief — Katz & Jammer Bartender

Appearances as themselves (8)

• 2018Friedkin Uncut — Self
• 2014100 Years of Wrigley Field — Self - Narrator (voice)
• 2004This Old Cub — Himself
• 2003Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.' — Self
• 2001Inside 'Manhunter' — Himself
• The Directors — Self
• Late Show with David Letterman — Self - Guest
• Sacrée soirée — Self