Who is William Petersen? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: William Louis Petersen

Age: 71 Years, 71 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Gina Cirone (m. 2003), Joanne Brady (m. 1974–1981)

children: Maite Petersen

Actors T V & Movie Producers

Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males

Ancestry: Danish American, German American

Notable Alumni: Idaho State University

City: Evanston, Illinois

U.S. State: Illinois

More Facts

education: Idaho State University

Recommended For You

Recommended Lists:

Career

William Petersen received his first break in 1985 when he played a Secret Service agent in William Friedkin's action movie ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’. A year later, he made his television debut in an episode of ‘The Twilight Zone’ and also played a role in the first Hannibal Lecter flick, ‘Manhunter’. Soon after this, he worked in HBO’s TV film ‘Long Gone’ as a minor baseball player and manager Cecil Cantrell. In the year 1990, the actor portrayed the legendary Patrick Floyd Garrett in ‘Young Guns II’. That year, he played the lead role in the miniseries ‘The Kennedys of Massachusetts’ which focused primarily on the married life of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Kennedy.

Petersen next produced as well as starred in Martin Davidson’s romantic comedy ‘Hard Promises’. In 1993, he featured in three episodes of ‘Return to Lonesome Dove’. Three years later, he appeared in ‘Fear’, a physiological thriller revolving around a rich family whose apparently perfect existence is threatened as their young daughter starts dating a charming and mysterious guy, much to her father's chagrin. After this, the actor was cast as Jeff in ‘Kiss the Sky’, a drama film about two adult men, friends since college, who travel together on a professional trip to the Philippines.

In 2000, he joined the cast of CBS’ crime series ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ as Dr. Gil Grissom. That year, he also played the role of Jack Hathaway in the political drama film ‘The Contender’ and earned a Critics Choice Movie Award for his performance in the same. In 2011, Petersen featured in the drama movie ‘Detachment’ as Sarge. The following year, he starred in the romantic comedy ‘Seeking a Friend for the End of the World’. He next played Col. Emmett Darrow in the sitcom ‘Manhattan’.

Recommended Lists:

Actors Who Are In Their 70s

American TV & Movie Producers

American Film & Theater Personalities

Pisces Men

Continue Reading Below

Family & Personal Life

William Petersen was born on February 21, 1953, in Evanston, Illinois, USA, to Arthur Edward Petersen and Helen June. He has three sisters: Mary Kay, Anne, and Elizabeth, and two brothers, Robert and Arthur Jr. He studied at Bishop Kelly High School and later attended Idaho State University with a football scholarship.

In 2003, the actor married his sweetheart, Gina Cirone. The couple welcomed twins via surrogacy in June 2011. Petersen also has a daughter named Maite from his previous marriage. He has two grandsons, Indigo August and Mazrik William.

William Petersen Biography