EPisodeWorld "William Petersen"

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William Petersen

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Attended Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho. He wears his old football jersey from that school in most of his movies. Daughter named Maite, born in 1975. Testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on increased funding for crime labs. Attended the renowned Steppenwolf Company. Engaged to Gina Cirone, a biology teacher. [March 2002] Started at Idaho State University on a football scholarship, where he found acting. Married longtime girl friend, Gina Cirone, in Petrignano, Italy. He has a production company called, High Horse (with friend & fellow "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000) producer, Cynthia Chvatal). He has one grandchild named Mazrik William (born October 2003). One "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000) plot line had him pursuing an insane killer played by Tom Noonan, who also played the titular insane killer in Manhunter (1986). Was offered a role in Platoon (1986), but turned it down because it was a low paying job and the prospect of going to the Phillipines for weeks of training before filming didn't appeal to him. Calls Long Gone (1987) (TV) the most fun he ever had making a movie. He made it instead of appearing in Platoon (1986). Was cast in the title role of To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) after Gary Sinise was declined the part. Ironically, Sinise is currently the star of _"C.S.I.: NY" (2004)_ , which is the spin-off of Petersen's series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000). Co-presented an award at the 2004 Emmys with Dennis Franz, whose former "NYPD Blue" (1993) co-star, David Caruso stars in "CSI: Miami" (2002) the spin-off of Petersen's series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000). Shares his birthday with "Harry Potter" actor Alan Rickman. Has played two characters with the surname "Walker." He played Gideon Walker in "Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993) (mini) and Steve Walker in Fear (1996). Declined the offer to produce "CSI: Miami" (2002), the spin-off of his series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000). Because his role in Manhunter (1986) was so emotionally exhausting, he did everything he could to rid himself of the Will Graham character after filming had been completed. This included cutting his hair and dyeing it blonde, and shaving off his beard. Played Missy Crider's father in the mini series The Beast (1996) (TV). Crider later appeared in the second season premiere of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000). Was 33 years old when Manhunter (1986) was released. When the film's remake, Red Dragon (2002) was released, his Will Graham successor, Edward Norton, was also 33 years old. An avid Chicago Cubs fan, he sings the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field every year and also narrated the documentary "Beyond The Ivy" about Wrigley Field. Owns the rights of James Ellroy's crime novel "Clandestine". Turned down a major part in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990). Turned down a major part in Michael Mann's Heat (1995). Has performed at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. Appears in The Skulls (2000) with Hill Harper. Harper currently co-stars in "CSI: NY" (2004), the spin-off of Petersen's series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000). His height is 6' 1" (1.85 m). Personal Quotes: (On seeing the Marlon Brando movie "Last Tango in Paris") "It was the first time that I understood that acting was an art form. It was not Clint Eastwood on a horse, Bob Hope in a road movie. It was not Don Knotts in The Incredible Mr. Limpet. These are favorite movies of mine, too. But when I sat in Last Tango in Paris, the lightbulb went on. To this day, Brando is the one I want to meet, and the one I'm terrified to meet." "Their argument was, Everybody else is going to start copying the show, so why not us? My attitude was, Well then everybody else do it. Don't rip yourself off." (On the network and producers' decision to create the CSI spinoff series, CSI: Miami) "It took me two months to get that part. I mean, who the hell was I? I wasn't going to sell that picture." - on his role as Will Graham in Manhunter. "Theater in Chicago will always be my first love. It started careers for me and about 50 of my friends. We all love coming back. As soon as the TV show is over, I'll be back in Chicago, doing live theater." (on what he plans to do after "CSI") "The greatest thing that ever happened to me in terms of my acting was the audition for To Live and Die in L.A. After I read, William Friedkin put down the script and said, 'You got the part.' I really thought it was a joke. I went back to my hotel room and took a bath and they called and wanted to make a deal. I still didn't believe it." "I was only 21, and there were many things I didn't know. I was trying to be a man and I wasn't ready for it." - on being married at a young age "After 'Manhunter', I had to actually kill off the character. I cut off most of my hair and dyed it blonde. I changed my whole look just to get rid of him."