William Petersen

William Petersen, an acclaimed actor and producer, solidified his status in television in 2000 with his starring role as Gil Grissom in the CBS drama series ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.’ This iconic performance earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2005 and a Golden Globe nomination in 2004, along with three Primetime Emmy nominations as an executive producer for the series. Petersen’s career journey began in theatre, where he became deeply involved in the Chicago scene. He co-founded the Remains Theater Ensemble alongside actors like Gary Cole and Ted Levine, establishing a strong foundation before transitioning to film and television. His film debut was a minor role in Michael Mann’s ‘Thief’ (1981), followed by significant recognition for his lead roles in William Friedkin’s 1985 action film ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ and as FBI agent Will Graham in the 1986 Hannibal Lecter film, ‘Manhunter.’ Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Petersen expanded his range with projects such as ‘Young Guns II’ (1990) and the miniseries ‘The Kennedys of Massachusetts’ (1990), where he portrayed Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. After departing as a regular cast member from ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ in 2009, Petersen continued his involvement as an executive producer and returned for guest appearances, including the critically acclaimed 2015 series finale ‘CSI: Immortality.’ Simultaneously, his commitment to theatre remained strong, becoming an ensemble member of the esteemed Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 2008. His contributions to the entertainment industry were further recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009. Petersen reprised his iconic role as Gil Grissom in 2021 for the sequel series ‘CSI: Vegas,’ further extending his legacy and bringing the beloved character back to a new generation of viewers on CBS.