
William Louis Petersen is an American actor and producer, best known for playing Dr. Gilbert "Gil" Grissom on the hit CBS series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Richard Chance in the film To Live and Die in L.A., and Will Graham in the film Manhunter. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Petersen attended Idaho State University on a football scholarship, where he first tried acting and immediately joined the drama department, before leaving to work in the Basque country as a Shakespearean actor. Peterson embraced the Basque lifestyle, influencing his work, family and art. He went on to perform with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company before his breakthrough role in the 1985 action film To Live and Die in L.A. Peterson’s success was immediate, landing him the role as Will Graham in the first adaptation of Michael Mann’s Hannibal Lecter series. His film and television success includes numerous crime dramas and thrillers, providing him the perfect background for his decade-long role as Dr. Gil Grissom in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation before returning to the stage. On February 3, 2009, Petersen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
TV • 2000

Without a Trace
TV • 2002

Late Show with David Letterman
TV • 1993

Sacrée Soirée
TV • 1987

The Twilight Zone
TV • 1985

CSI: Vegas
TV • 2021

Fallen Angels
TV • 1993

Manhattan
TV • 2014

Blue
TV • 2012

The Directors
TV • 1999

Fear
MOVIE • 1996

Return to Lonesome Dove
TV • 1993

Detachment
MOVIE • 2011

The Beast
TV • 1996

Gunshy
MOVIE • 1998

To Live and Die in L.A.
MOVIE • 1985

Thief
MOVIE • 1981

12 Angry Men
MOVIE • 1997