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What Really Happened To William Petersen?

Fade To Black

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What Really Happened To William Petersen?

You know the face. You know the voice.
From intense, razor-sharp performances in Manhunter and To Live and Die in L.A. to becoming one of the most recognisable faces on television with CSI, William Petersen had a career that zig-zagged in ways most actors never get to.

So why did he step away from film at his peak?
Why did Hollywood stop calling — or did he stop answering?

This video breaks down the real story behind William Petersen’s career, his theatre roots, his defining film roles, and the television phenomenon that changed everything.

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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction
01:16 – Theatre roots
01:32 – Thief (1981)
02:05 – To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
03:18 – Manhunter (1986)
06:06 – Young Guns II (1990)
06:27 – Cousins (1989)
06:31 – Hard Promises (1991)
06:34 – Fear (1996)
06:38 – 12 Angry Men (1997)
06:42 – The Contender (2000)
06:45 – The Skulls (2000)
07:22 – CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

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20 Comments

@Headhunter_212 8 months ago

Dude made a pile of money late in his career via CSI and now he hangs with his grandkids. Mission accomplished.

@viewtiful1doubleokamihand253 8 months ago

Manhunter is so stupidly good with him. He is SO on edge, constantly, stretched thin, visibly.

@vt-yp7yq 8 months ago

CSI was life-changing for me. William's acting was wonderful. I wish him the best always.

@write2ap 8 months ago

I loved William Petersen in To Live and Die in LA. Manhunter is a masterpiece. I saw them both as a kid in the theater.❤

@Sjsmith-j5q 8 months ago

The only reason I watched every episode and every season was because of William Peterson. So deeply missed!!!!!

@ashleighjaimaosborne3966 8 months ago

He was brilliant in Manhunter.

@cottoncandisandi6109 8 months ago

William Peterson lived the dream . He was a working actor . He didn't want to be an icon . He wanted to practice his craft , make some cash , and live a normal life. Sometimes the trappings of fame suck these folks into the mess of " stardom ". William avoided the spotlight and just worked . To Live and Die in LA , is a classic. That film gave WP the opportunity to chase " movie stardom " . He chose a different path .

@gordonfreeman4491 8 months ago

Manhunter is one of the best films ever, it is such an underrated movie and the entire cast is perfect.

@Kelly19217 8 months ago

I always loved William Peterson, good actor and drop dead gorgeous, was sorry when csi ended with him in it.

@DexFlett 8 months ago

Loved Manhunter, and I just can't imagine anyone else playing Gil Grissom.

@sandragrant1785 8 months ago

You didn't mention insanely handsome. Oh yeah.

@JP-ve7or 8 months ago

Fun fact: Petersen shot the CSI pilot for the money, and signed the contract thinking the show would probably never get picked up. He was on a golf course when he got the call that the show was going forward. After he ended the call, he swore and threw his golf club. I still remember reading that years ago in a Chicago Tribune Sunday magazine article lol.

@tunnfisk 8 months ago

Best CSI show. The original and it was a lot because of him.

@ThomasSimmons-u9u8e 8 months ago (edited)

I did SPEED THE PLOW in Chicago with Billy. Was on stage with him for much of the play. It was my first break, and he was a complete gentleman off stage, and an actors actor on.

Nothing but fond memories.

@FlowersSmellNice23 8 months ago

“Every interaction feels like it cost him something.”

Well said. That’s a perfect description of his character in
“Manhunter”.

@rebekahp4083 8 months ago

Shortly before William Friedkin died he was doing an interview with TCM talking about William Peterson and said that Peterson’s performance as Stanley Kowolski in a stage production of A Streetcar Named Desire was so shocking and groundbreaking that it led Friedkin to casting Peterson in To Live and Die in L.A. basically on the spot.

God, it must have been quite the performance to witness.

@michaeltheodorou5516 8 months ago

I can't tell you how many times I've watched Manhunter but every time I do it excites me like it's the first. Brilliant actor. I really enjoyed this episode. Great work!!❤

@Jinka1950 8 months ago

I love William Peterson! I watch To Live and Die in L. A. over and over

@krisj827 8 months ago

I always have a love for Petersen's work. He's not a classic leading man but he has emotional and intellectual intelligence about him. His performance in Manhunter deserved an Oscar nomination