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William Petersen

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For the sociologist, see William Petersen (demographer). For other people, see William Peterson.
William Petersen
Petersen on the set of CSI in March 2004.
Born
William Louis Petersen

(1953-02-21) February 21, 1953 (age 71)
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Other namesWilliam L. Petersen
EducationBishop Kelly High School
Alma materIdaho State University
OccupationActor
Years active1976–present
Known forCSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Spouses
Joanne Brady
​
​
(m. 1974; div. 1981)​
Gina Cirone
​
(m. 2003)​
Children3

William Louis Petersen (born February 21, 1953) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Gil Grissom in the CBS drama thriller series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–2015), for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award; he was further nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards as a producer of the show.[1] He reprised his role as Gil Grissom in the sequel CSI: Vegas, which premiered on October 6, 2021.

He also starred in the films To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), Manhunter (1986), Young Guns II (1990), Fear (1996), The Contender (2000), Detachment (2011), and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012).[2]

Early life

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Petersen was born in Evanston, Illinois, the youngest of six children of June (née Hoene; 1909–2006) and Arthur Edward Petersen (1907–2004), who worked in the furniture business.[3][4] Of Danish and German descent, he was raised in the Roman Catholic faith of his mother.[5][6] He has two brothers, Arthur Jr. and Robert, and three sisters, Anne, Mary Kay, and Elizabeth.[7]

He graduated from Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho, in 1972. He was accepted to Idaho State University on a football scholarship. While at Idaho State, Petersen took an acting course, which changed the direction of his life. He left school[8] along with his wife, Joanne, in 1974, and followed a drama professor to the Basque country, where he studied as a Shakespearean actor. Petersen was interested in Basque culture: He studied the Basque language and gave his daughter the Basque name "Maite Nerea" ("My Beloved"); she was born in Arrasate/Mondragón in 1975.[9] Petersen returned to Idaho with the intention of being an actor. Not wanting to work a nonacting job in Idaho, he returned to the Chicago area, living with relatives. He became active in the theater and earned his Actors' Equity card. He performed with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, of which he has been an ensemble member since 2008,[10] and was a co-founder of the Remains Theater Ensemble,[8] which also included other prominent Chicago actors Gary Cole and Ted Levine.[citation needed]

Career

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Petersen made his film debut with a bit part in Thief (1981), directed by Michael Mann. The actor received his first break when he played a Secret Service agent gone rogue to avenge his mentor in William Friedkin's 1985 action film To Live and Die in L.A.[11] In 1986, he played FBI agent Will Graham in the first Hannibal Lecter film, Manhunter.[12] Because his role was so emotionally exhausting, he did everything he could to rid himself of Graham after finishing principal photography. He shaved off his beard, cut his hair, and bleached it blond. He also claims to have done this because, while rehearsing for a play in Chicago, his dialogue was always coming out like Graham's; he dyed his hair so he could look in the mirror and see a different person.[13]

He declined a part in Oliver Stone's Platoon, as it would have kept him in the Philippines, away from his family. Instead, he worked on the 1987 HBO made-for-TV movie Long Gone as a minor league baseball player and manager named Cecil "Stud" Cantrell.[14] Petersen was offered the role of Henry Hill in the film Goodfellas, but turned it down. An exposé about the film in the May 2015 issue of Playboy claims that Petersen turned down the audition altogether.[15] In a 1990 ABC three-part miniseries, The Kennedys of Massachusetts, Petersen played U.S. President John F. Kennedy's father, Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy.[16] The film won an Emmy and a Golden Globe from eight and two nominations, respectively. Also in 1990, Petersen portrayed the infamous Patrick Floyd "Pat" Garrett in Young Guns II.[17]

In 1993, Petersen appeared in a CBS TV miniseries, Return to Lonesome Dove, as former Ranger Gideon Walker.[18] He played Steven Walker, a father who stops at nothing to break up the relationship between his daughter and her vicious boyfriend in Fear (1996).[19] Petersen played Governor Jack Hathaway, an unscrupulous candidate for vice president following the death of the incumbent, in The Contender in 2000.[20]

He appeared uncredited in the noir thriller Mulholland Falls as a character who finds himself on the violent receiving end of a Los Angeles police squad's tactics. In 1999, he starred in Kiss the Sky as "Jeff."[21][22] He appeared as part of an all-star cast in a remake of the 1997 film 12 Angry Men (as Juror #12, a.k.a. "the Snob").[23]

From 2000 to 2009, he played Dr. Gil Grissom in the CBS crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Petersen took a break from CSI in 2006 to appear in a five-week run of the Trinity Repertory Company production of Dublin Carol by Conor McPherson, in Providence, Rhode Island.[24] Petersen renewed his contract with CBS to appear on CSI for the 2008–09 season, reportedly for $600,000 per episode.[25] On July 15, 2008, the Associated Press reported that Petersen was leaving the show as a regular following Season 9's tenth episode in order to pursue more stage-acting opportunities, but that he might return for guest spots.[26] He remained an executive producer of the show.[26] He reprised his role of Gil Grissom in the eleventh-season episode "The Two Mrs. Grissoms" (aired February 3, 2011). He came back in 2015 as a guest in the series finale, "Immortality."

In February 2020, Petersen announced to return for a CSI sequel series along with Jorja Fox, before the series was picked up as CSI: Vegas.

Personal life

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In 1975, Petersen and his then-wife Joanne Brady welcomed a daughter, Maite. In June 2003, Petersen married his longtime girlfriend Gina Cirone. On July 5, 2011, Petersen and Cirone welcomed twins, a daughter and son, via surrogate.[27]

Peterson is an avid Chicago Cubs fan. In 2004, he described to Playboy a near-death experience he had in the 1980s which gave him "assurance" that there is an afterlife.[28]

In August 2021, Petersen was taken to the hospital via ambulance after feeling unwell on the set of CSI: Vegas. He was experiencing symptoms of exhaustion after 12 weeks of shooting, and released from the facility soon after.[29]

Honors

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On February 3, 2009, Petersen received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[30]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1981 Thief Katz & Jammer Bartender
1985 To Live and Die in L.A Secret Service Agent Richard Chance
1986 Manhunter FBI Agent Will Graham
1987 Amazing Grace and Chuck Russell
1989 Cousins Tom
1990 Young Guns II Pat Garrett
1992 Hard Promises Joey Also producer[31][32]
Passed Away Frank Scanlan
1995 In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King Tony 'Tony C'
1996 Fear Steve Walker
Mulholland Falls Jack Flynn, Mobster Uncredited
1998 Gunshy Jake Bridges[33]
Kiss the Sky Jeff
2000 The Skulls Senator Ames Levritt
The Contender Jack Hathaway
2011 Detachment Sarge[34]
2012 Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Glenn
2021 The Old Country Ted Short

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Twilight Zone Edward Sayers Episode: "Need to Know"
1987 Long Gone Cecil Cantrell Television film
1990 The Kennedys of Massachusetts Joseph P. Kennedy Miniseries
1992 Keep the Change Joe Starling Television film
1993 Curacao Stephen Guerin
Return to Lonesome Dove Gideon Walker 3 episodes
1995 Fallen Angels George Episode: "Good Housekeeping"
1996 The Beast Whip Dalton Television film
1997 12 Angry Men Juror #12
1998 The Staircase Joad
The Rat Pack President John F. Kennedy
2000–2015 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gil Grissom Main Role (Seasons 1–9)
Guest role (Seasons 11, 13 & 15)
2001 Haven Jackson Connolly Television film
2007 Without a Trace Gil Grissom Episode: "Where and Why?"
2013 Blue Mitch Episode: "Hard Time"
2015 Manhattan Colonel Emmett Darrow[35] 10 episodes
2021 CSI: Vegas Gil Grissom

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gil Grissom
2004 CSI: Grime Scene Investigation - Dark Motives Gil Grissom
2006 CSI: 3 Dimensions of Murder Gil Grissom
2007 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Hard Evidence Gil Grissom

Production credits

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Live theatre

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Remains Theatre

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Steppenwolf Theatre Company

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Source: Steppenwolf[37]

Goodman Theatre

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Victory Gardens Theater (Chicago)

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Wisdom Bridge Theatre (Chicago)

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Other stage works

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  • Darkness at Noon (1976), Chicago area production
  • A Streetcar Named Desire (1984) as Stanley Kowalski, Stratford Festival of Canada, Stratford, Ontario, Canada, 1984[46]
  • Days and Nights Within, by Ellen McLaughlin (1986) as Interrogator, Remains Theatre production at Organic Theatre, Chicago[47]
  • Puntila and His Hired Mano (1986) as Matti, Organic Theatre
  • Speed the Plow as Bobby Gould, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
  • The Night of the Iguana (1996) as Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon, Roundabout Theatre Company, Criterion Center Stage Right Theatre, New York City[48]
  • Twelfth Night as Unknown, Illinois Shakespeare Festival
  • As You Like It as Unknown, Illinois Shakespeare Festival
  • In Belly of the Beast (1983) as Jack Henry Abbott (Ivanhoe Theatre, Chicago, IL, 1985 and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., 1985)[44] (nominated for Helen Hayes Awards Non-Resident Acting, 1986)
  • A Class C Trial in Yokohama, Chicago Theatre Project
  • In The Belly of the Beast: Letters from Prison, Glasgow, Scotland and London, England, including the American Festival, London, 1985[44]
  • A Dublin Carol by Conor McPherson (2006) as John Plunkett, Trinity Reportory Company (Providence)[24]
  • Slowgirl by Greg Pierce (2014) (Los Angeles, California, Geffen Playhouse)[49]
  • Appeared in productions at Boise State University and Lewis and Clark College

Stage director

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  • Farmyard, Remains Theatre, Chicago, c. 1980
  • Traps, Remains Theatre, 1983

Accolades

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Association Year Accolade Nominated Work Results Ref
Golden Globes 2004 Best Actor — Television Series, Drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated [50]
Insect Fear Film Festival at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2005 Image Award CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Won [51]
Primetime Emmy Awards 2002 Outstanding Drama Series (Executive Producer) CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated [52]
2003 Outstanding Drama Series (Executive Producer) CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated [53]
2004 Outstanding Drama Series (Executive Producer) CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated [54]
Producers Guild of America 2003 Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated [55]
2004 Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated
2005 Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2002 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated [56]
2003 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated [57]
2004 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nominated [58]
2005 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Won [59]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "William Petersen Emmy Nominations" emmys.com, accessed July 5, 2021
  2. ^ "William Petersen Filmography" tcm.com, accessed April 10, 2016
  3. ^ "William Petersen Biography, filmreference.com; accessed July 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "Marriage Announcement 3 - No Title". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. August 2, 1931. Archived from the original on March 19, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  5. ^ Obituary: June Hoene Petersen, legacy.com; accessed March 21, 2020.
  6. ^ "Star didn't have a clue 'CSI' would be a huge hit". Articles.philly.com. August 4, 2007. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  7. ^ Hiltbrand, David (February 6, 2004). "William Petersen didn't have a clue 'CSI' would be a huge hit". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
  8. ^ a b Gabettas, Chris. "William Petersen: From ISU to CSI" isu.edu, Spring 2010 Issue, accessed April 10, 2016.
  9. ^ "El Imparcial: Noticias: William Petersen (Grissom, de CSI) habla y canta en vasco". Elimparcial.es. December 20, 2008. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  10. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "William Petersen Is Now a Steppenwolf Ensemble Member" playbill.com, December 2, 2008
  11. ^ "'To Live and Die in L.A.' Listing" tcm.com, accessed April 10, 2016
  12. ^ "'Manhunter' Listing" tcm.com, accessed April 10, 2016
  13. ^ Inside Manhunter: Interviews with stars William Petersen, Joan Allen, Brian Cox and Tom Noonan
  14. ^ Richmond, Ray. "William Petersen: Leaving Las Vegas" The Hollywood Reporter, February 2, 2009
  15. ^ Playboy Magazine, May 2015
  16. ^ "The Kennedys of Massachusetts Review". Entertainment Weekly. February 16, 1990. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  17. ^ Young Guns II at AllMovie
  18. ^ Kogan, Rick. "'Return To Lonesome Dove' Trails Far Behind The Original" Chicago Tribune, November 12, 1993
  19. ^ "'Fear' Listing" tcm.com, accessed April 10, 2016
  20. ^ "'The Contender' Listing" tcm.com, accessed April 10, 2016
  21. ^ "'Kiss the Sky' Listing" tcm.com, accessed April 10, 2016
  22. ^ Kiss the Sky rottentomatoes.com, accessed April 10, 2016
  23. ^ "'12 Angry Men' Listing" tcm.com, accessed April 10, 2016
  24. ^ a b Hernandez, Ernio. "CSI" Star Petersen Opens McPherson's 'A Dublin Carol' at Trinity Rep" playbill.com, December 6, 2006
  25. ^ William Petersen Renews CSI Contract" TV Guide. March 31, 2008. Retrieved on April 1, 2008.
  26. ^ a b "CSI series star William Petersen leaving in 9th season". www.gmanews.tv. Associated Press. July 16, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  27. ^ "William Petersen Welcomes Twins Via Surrogate". People. August 23, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  28. ^ Playboy magazine, March 2004, page 139
  29. ^ Garner, Glenn (August 22, 2021). "CSI: Vegas Star William Petersen Hospitalized Due to Exhaustion on Set of Sequel Series". People. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  30. ^ "William Petersen Gets Star No. 2,379" nbclosangeles.com, accessed April 11, 2016
  31. ^ "William Petersen Is As Close To Stardom As He Plans To Get" Orlando Sentinel, June 9, 1992
  32. ^ Turan, Kenneth. "Movie Review. Hard Choices to Be Made in 'Hard Promises'" Los Angeles Times, January 31, 1992
  33. ^ McCarthy, Todd. Review: 'Gunshy'" Variety, May 11, 1998
  34. ^ Cox, Gordon. "'Detachment', Rocker Doc Join Tribeca" Variety, April 4, 2011
  35. ^ "William Petersen Returns to Television in WGN America's Manhattan". Comingsoon.net. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  36. ^ "'Keep the Change' Listing" allmovie.com, accessed April 11, 2016
  37. ^ "Member Profiles. William Petersen" steppenwolf.org, accessed April 10, 2016
  38. ^ a b "Goodman Theatre Archive, Production History Files, Part 1, 1982-83 Season and 1983-1984 Season" chipublib.org, accessed April 10, 2016
  39. ^ Glengarry Glen Ross Theatredatabase.com, accessed April 10, 2016
  40. ^ Bommer, Lawrence. "Much-awaited `Night Of The Iguana' Ready At Goodman" Chicago Tribune, March 11, 1994
  41. ^ a b c Jones, Kenneth. "'Blackbird', with Hawkinson and "CSI" Star Petersen, Makes Chicago Premiere July 3" playbill.com, July 3, 2009
  42. ^ a b "Production History" victorygardens.org, accessed April 10, 2016
  43. ^ Dretzka, Gary. "Hospital Dramas" Chicago Tribune, April 12, 1998
  44. ^ a b c Webb, Andrew. "'In The Belly Of The Beast' Searing Tale Of Prison Survival" Sun-Sentinel, June 7, 1985
  45. ^ Christiansen, Richard. Speed the Plow Chicago Tribune (archives), March 2, 1989
  46. ^ "Method Acting" Chicago Tribune (archives), August 13, 1984
  47. ^ Smith, Sid. "Remains Offers An Eerie--if Pointless--love Tale" Chicago Tribune, January 31, 1986
  48. ^ "'The Night of the Iguana' Listing" ibdb.com, accessed April 11, 2016
  49. ^ Boehm, Mike. "William Petersen among friends at Geffen Playhouse's 'Slowgirl'" Los Angeles Times, March 11, 2014
  50. ^ "Winners & Nominees 2004". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  51. ^ Barlow, Jim. "Forensic entomology to be theme of this year's 'Insect Fear Film Festival'". news.illinois.edu. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  52. ^ "Nominees/Winners". Television Academy. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  53. ^ "Nominees/Winners". Television Academy. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  54. ^ "Nominees/Winners". Television Academy. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  55. ^ "PGA Award Winners 1990-2010 - Producers Guild of America". www.producersguild.org. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  56. ^ "The 8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  57. ^ "The 9th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  58. ^ "The 10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  59. ^ "The 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
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