William Petersen

William Petersen
Name	William Petersen
Birth date	21 February 1953
Birth place	Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, producer
Years active	1979–present
Spouse	Joanne Brady (m. 1974; div. 1981), Gina Cirone (m. 2003)

William Petersen is an American actor and producer, best known for his role as Gil Grissom on the long-running CBS television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. His career spans over four decades, encompassing significant work in film, television, and theater, where he has been recognized for his intense and cerebral performances. Petersen is also a founding member of the Remains Theatre ensemble in Chicago, underscoring his deep roots in the city's storied theatrical community.

Early life and education

Born in Evanston, Illinois, he was raised in the nearby suburb of Skokie. He attended Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho, after his family relocated. Initially pursuing a football scholarship, he returned to Illinois to study at Idaho State University before ultimately transferring to Illinois State University. His interest in acting was sparked after seeing a production at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, leading him to enroll at the Goodman School of Drama (now part of DePaul University).

Career

Petersen began his professional career on the Chicago stage, co-founding the Remains Theatre with fellow actors. His breakthrough film role came in 1985 when he was cast by director Michael Mann in the neo-noir thriller Manhunter, where he portrayed Will Graham, the FBI profiler who hunts the serial killer Hannibal Lecter. This performance established his reputation for playing complex, driven characters. He continued to work in film throughout the 1980s and 1990s in projects such as To Live and Die in L.A., Young Guns II, and The Contender. His television work includes the miniseries The Kennedys of Massachusetts and the CBS series The Beast. However, his most defining role came in 2000 when he was cast as the lead in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a series that became a global phenomenon and redefined the forensic science procedural genre. He served as an executive producer on the show and remained a central figure until 2015, making recurring appearances thereafter.

Personal life

Petersen has been married twice, first to Joanne Brady and later to Gina Cirone, with whom he has two daughters. He also has a son from a previous relationship. A lifelong resident of Chicago, he is a noted fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. He maintains a relatively private life, focusing on his family and his ongoing involvement with Chicago's theater scene, having performed at venues like the Goodman Theatre and the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C..

Filmography

A selected list of his notable works includes the film Manhunter (1986), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), Cousins (1989), Young Guns II (1990), The Contender (2000), and Detachment (2011). His extensive television work is dominated by his role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–2015, 2021), with other credits including The Kennedys of Massachusetts (1990), The Beast (2009), and the television film The Staircase (2022).

Awards and nominations

For his work on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Petersen received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. He was also nominated for a Satellite Award and multiple People's Choice Awards. His theatrical contributions have been recognized with honors from Chicago's theater community, including awards from the Joseph Jefferson Awards committee for his work with the Remains Theatre.

Legacy and influence

William Petersen is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in popularizing the forensic crime drama genre through his portrayal of the meticulous Gil Grissom. His commitment to Chicago theater, through the Remains Theatre and performances at institutions like the Goodman Theatre, has solidified his reputation as a serious actor dedicated to his craft beyond Hollywood. His performance in Manhunter remains a cult classic, influencing later portrayals of FBI profilers in series such as Criminal Minds and Hannibal. Petersen's career exemplifies a successful bridge between independent theater, film, and blockbuster television.

Category:American male television actors Category:American film actors Category:People from Evanston, Illinois Category:1953 births Category:Living people