William Atherton
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- July 30, 1947 in Orange, Connecticut, USA
- Active Years
- 1972–2025 (54 Years)
- Total Credits
- 95 credits in database
Biography
William Atherton is an American actor born on July 30, 1947, in Orange, Connecticut, USA. He is known for his acting career, with 89 known credits. He is male and has been active in the entertainment industry. Atherton is also known by other names, including William Atherton Knight and Willi.
Career overview
William Atherton is an American actor born on July 30, 1947, in Orange, Connecticut, USA. He has a long career in the entertainment industry, with a significant number of credits to his name. Atherton is known for his versatility as an actor, having appeared in a wide range of film and television roles.
One of Atherton's most notable roles is that of Richard Thornburg in the Die Hard franchise. He has also portrayed Walter Peck in the classic comedy film Ghostbusters. These iconic characters have contributed significantly to his recognition and reputation as a talented character actor.
Throughout his career, Atherton has accumulated a substantial number of credits, with 89 known credits to date. His extensive experience in the industry has allowed him to develop a distinctive style and range as an actor. With a career spanning several decades, Atherton has established himself as a respected and accomplished actor in the American film and television industry.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about William Atherton.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
95 titles- Where Did the Adults Go? (2025) as The Father
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) as Mayor Walter Peck
- Reunited Apart (2020) as Self
- Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters (2020) as Self
- Bad Company (2018)
- Clinical (2017) as Terry Drummond
- Ghostheads (2016) as Self
- Jinn (2014) as Father Westhoff
- The Citizen (2012)
- Jersey Shore Shark Attack (2012) as Dolan
- Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie (2012) as Earle Swinter
- Workaholics (2011) as Thor Holmvik
- The Kane Files: Life of Trial (2010) as Daniel Morgan
- Castle (2009) as Ari Weiss
- Childrens Hospital (2008) as Levon Bainter
- Ghouls (2008) as Stefan
- Aces 'N' Eights (2008) as Howard
- Black Crescent Moon (2008) as Jo Dexton
- Life (2007) as Mickey Rayborn
- The Girl Next Door (2007) as Adult David Moran
- Towards Darkness (2007) as John
- Kush (2007) as King
- Numb3rs (2005) as Warren Pierce
- Gone But Not Forgotten (2005) as Sen. Ray Colby
- Headspace (2005) as Dr. Ira Gold
- Headspace (2005) Co-Producer
- Into the Sun (2005) as Agent Block
- Desperate Housewives (2004) as Dr. Barr
- Lost (2004) as Donald Reynolds
- Boston Legal (2004) as A.D.A. Howard Zale
- Who's Your Daddy? (2004) as Duncan Mack
- The Last Samurai (2003) as Winchester Rep
- Monk (2002) as Commander Nathan Whitaker
- Justice League (2001) as Dr. Destiny / John Dee (voice)
- Night Visions (2001) as William Price (segment "Hate Puppet")
- Race to Space (2001) as Ralph Stanton
- Burning Down the House (2001) as Arthur Kranston
- Bread and Roses (2000) as Party Guest (uncredited)
- The Crow: Salvation (2000) as Nathan Randall
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Ned Bogden
- Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999) as Darryl Zanuck
- The Stranger (1999)
- Michael Kael vs. the World News Company (1998) as James Denit
- Stargate SG-1 (1997) as Emissary Varta
- The Practice (1997) as D.A. Keith Pratt
- Hoodlum (1997) as Thomas E. Dewey
- Executive Power (1997) as President Fields
- Mad City (1997) as Dohlen
- Nash Bridges (1996) as Dr. Linus Mills
- Bio-Dome (1996) as Dr. Noah Faulkner
- Raven Hawk (1996) as Philip Thorne
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Franklin Murdoch
- A Night to Die For (1995) as Self
- Broken Trust (1995) as Neil Roemer
- Virus (1995) as Dr. Reginald Holloway
- Frank & Jesse (1994) as Allan Pinkerton
- Saints and Sinners (1994) as Terence
- The Pelican Brief (1993) as Bob Gminski
- HBO First Look (1992)
- Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder (1992) as Eric Walker
- Chrome Soldiers (1992) as Sheriff Blackwell
- Oscar (1991) as Overton
- Law & Order (1990) as Don Snyder
- Law & Order (1990) as Dan Jensen
- Die Hard 2 (1990) as Richard Thornberg
- Grim Prairie Tales (1990) as Arthur
- Buried Alive (1990) as Cort van Owen
- Max Monroe: Loose Cannon (1990) as Sloane
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Malcolm Mayflower
- Die Hard (1988) as Richard Thornburg
- Intrigue (1988) as Doggett
- The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine (1987) as Martin 'Alpha' Loeber
- No Mercy (1986) as Allan Deveneux
- A Fight for Jenny (1986) as Michael Rosen
- The Equalizer (1985) as Martin 'Alpha' Loeber
- The Equalizer (1985) as Gideon
- The Twilight Zone (1985) as Brian Wolfe (segment "Night of the Meek")
- The Twilight Zone (1985) as (segment "The Card")
- Real Genius (1985) as Professor Hathaway
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Larry Holleran
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Greg Dalton
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Andy Henley
- Ghostbusters (1984) as Walter Peck
- Malibu (1983) as Stan Harvey
- Tomorrow's Child (1982) as Jim Spence
- The House of Mirth (1981) as Lawrence Selden
- Centennial (1978) as Jim Lloyd
- Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) as James
- Independence (1976) as Benjamin Rush
- The Hindenburg (1975) as Boerth
- The Day of the Locust (1975) as Tod Hackett
- The Sugarland Express (1974) as Clovis Poplin
- Class of '44 (1973) as Fraternity President
- The New Centurions (1972) as Johnson
- Midnight Men: A John Schlesinger and Michael Childers Story
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is William Atherton best known for?
William Atherton is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), Ghostheads (2016), Jinn (2014), Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie (2012).
When and where was William Atherton born?
William Atherton was born on July 30, 1947 in Orange, Connecticut, USA.
How many credits does William Atherton have?
William Atherton has accumulated over 95 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1972 to 2025.
What is William Atherton's background in cinema and television?
William Atherton is an American actor born on July 30, 1947, in Orange, Connecticut, USA. He is known for his acting career, with 89 known credits. He is male and has been active in the entertainment industry. Atherton is also known by other names, including William Atherton Knight and Willi.
William Atherton by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Stargate SG-1 (1997) as Emissary Varta — aged about 49
- Justice League (2001) as Dr. Destiny / John Dee (voice) — aged about 53
- Castle (2009) as Ari Weiss — aged about 61
- Lost (2004) as Donald Reynolds — aged about 56
- Monk (2002) as Commander Nathan Whitaker — aged about 54
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Ned Bogden — aged about 51
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on William Atherton.