Photo: Shane Saunders / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
William Petersen is a film producer, stage actor and film actor. Born on February 21, 1953, William Petersen is from Evanston, Illinois, United States. That works out to 73 years old in 2026. Schooling on record includes Bishop Kelly High School and Idaho State University. Recorded honors include Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2005) and star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.
My Take
Petersen is, for me, the definition of an actor who wins through substance rather than flash. He built himself up through Chicago stage work before sharp films like To Live and Die in L.A. and Manhunter marked him as a serious talent. Then CSI made Gil Grissom a household figure, and his calm, cerebral presence anchored that show for years. A Screen Actors Guild ensemble award in 2005 and a star on the Walk of Fame confirm the respect he commands. I admire performers whose appeal deepens with age rather than fading, and his understated gravitas is exactly the kind of craft I find myself drawn to.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- William Petersen
- Name (Japanese)
- ウィリアム・ピーターセン
- Reading
- うぃりあむ・ぴーたーせん
- Born
- February 21, 1953 (age 73)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Snake
- Origin
- Evanston, Illinois, United States
- Occupation
- film producer / stage actor / film actor / television actor / actor
2. Background
- High school
- Bishop Kelly High School
- University
- Idaho State University
Awards & achievements
- 2005 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | — | |
| Notable work | The Staircase | — | |
| Notable work | To Live and Die in L.A. | — | |
| Notable work | Manhunter | — | |
| Notable work | Young Guns II | — | |
| Notable work | Fear | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was William Petersen born?
Born February 21, 1953 (age 73).
Where is William Petersen from?
William Petersen is from Evanston, Illinois, United States.
What does William Petersen do?
William Petersen works as film producer, stage actor, film actor, television actor, actor.
What is William Petersen known for?
Notable works include CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Staircase, To Live and Die in L.A..
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