William Ragsdale
Biography
William Ragsdale, also known as Bill Ragsdale and born Robert William Ragsdale, is an American actor born on January 19, 1961, in El Dorado, Arkansas. He graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, where he studied religion and humanities. His parents gave him tuition for the Drama Studio London's American school at Berkeley, California, as a graduation present. He is known for playing teenaged vampire slayer Charley Brewster in the horror vampire film Fright Night. He also gained attention onstage in Neil Simon's plays Biloxi Blues and Brighton Beach Memoirs, two parts of the trilogy that ends with Broadway Bound. Additionally, he starred in the romantic comedy movie Mannequin Two On the Move in 1991.
Career overview
William Ragsdale, born Robert William Ragsdale, is an American actor. He was born on January 19, 1961, in El Dorado, Arkansas. He graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, where he studied religion and humanities. As a graduation present, his parents provided him with tuition for the Drama Studio Londons American school at Berkeley, California.
On film, Ragsdale is known for playing the teenaged vampire slayer Charley Brewster in the horror vampire film Fright Night. He also starred in the romance comedy movie Mannequin Two On the Move, which was released in 1991. Additionally, he featured for three years as Herman Brooks.
Onstage, Ragsdale garnered attention in Neil Simon plays, specifically Biloxi Blues and Brighton Beach Memoirs. These two productions form parts of Simon's trilogy, which also includes Broadway Bound.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
69 titles- Love in Storytown (2026) as Mayor Jeff
- The Barn Part III (2026)
- Re-Election (2025)
- Renfield (2023) as Older Priest
- WeCrashed (2022) as Chris
- In Search of Darkness: Part III (2022) as Self
- The Equalizer (2021) as Kent, Comic Book Store Owner
- NOS4A2 (2019) as Auctioneer
- Alex Strangelove (2018) as Ron Truelove
- The Good Fight (2017) as Rodney Pebbler
- A Very Merry Toy Store (2017) as Pete Griffin
- Search Party (2016) as Chuck
- BrainDead (2016) as Hank
- You're So Cool, Brewster! The Story of Fright Night (2016) as Himself
- Blindspot (2015) as Russell Franklin
- Younger (2015) as Jeffrey Jacobs
- Madam Secretary (2014) as Peter Gunderson
- black-ish (2014) as Dr. Chubb
- Left Behind (2014) as Chris Smith
- The Blacklist (2013) as Carl Conway
- Broken City (2013) as Mr. Davies
- Elementary (2012) as Patrick Moore
- Perception (2012) as Dr. Julian Corvis
- Touch (2012) as Travis Cooper
- Thunderstruck (2012) as Joe Newall
- Justified (2010) as Gary Hawkins
- Shake It Up (2010) as Announcer
- White Collar (2009) as Jack Conroy
- The Mentalist (2008) as Murphy Traver
- What Just Happened (2008) as Agent #1
- Living Proof (2008) as Andy Marks
- The Reaping (2007) as Sheriff Cade
- LA Blues (2007) as Paul
- Big Momma's House 2 (2006) as Bob
- Road House 2: Last Call (2006) as Sands Cooper
- For One Night (2006) as Earl Randall
- Medium (2005)
- The War at Home (2005) as Doctor
- The Bad Girl's Guide (2005)
- Romy and Michele: In the Beginning (2005) as Kevin
- Desperate Housewives (2004) as Scott McKinney
- Entourage (2004) as Frank Giovanello
- The Madam's Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel (2004) as B. B. Boudreaux
- NCIS (2003) as Brett Creevy
- Miss Match (2003) as Russell Dixon
- CSI: Miami (2002) as Kenneth McGuire
- Without a Trace (2002) as Robert Newton
- Less than Perfect (2002) as Mitch Calgrove
- Still Standing (2002) as Dan Goldman
- Crossing Jordan (2001) as Bob
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Dr. Bill Ryan
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) as Dr. Anthony Parker
- Grosse Pointe (2000) as Rob Fields
- Judging Amy (1999) as Charles Duff
- Just a Little Harmless Sex (1999) as Brent
- Brother's Keeper (1998) as Porter Waide
- Hope and Gloria (1995) as Danny Saterfield
- National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins (1995) as Todd Farrit
- Ellen (1994) as Dan
- Herman's Head (1991) as Herman Brooks
- Mannequin Two: On the Move (1991) as Jason Williamson / Prince William
- Frankenstein: The College Years (1991) as Mark Chrisman
- Law & Order (1990) as Fire Marshal Julian Jenca
- Fright Night Part 2 (1988) as Charley Brewster
- Fright Night (1985) as Charley Brewster
- Smooth Talk (1985) as Jeff
- American Playhouse (1982) as Jeff
- Screams of a Winter Night (1979) as The Kid - Service Station Attendant
- The Eye from Beyond
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is William Ragsdale best known for?
William Ragsdale is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Renfield (2023), WeCrashed (2022), The Equalizer (2021), NOS4A2 (2019).
When and where was William Ragsdale born?
William Ragsdale was born on January 19, 1961 in El Dorado, Arkansas, USA.
How many credits does William Ragsdale have?
William Ragsdale has accumulated over 69 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1979 to 2026.
What is William Ragsdale's background in cinema and television?
William Ragsdale, also known as Bill Ragsdale and born Robert William Ragsdale, is an American actor born on January 19, 1961, in El Dorado, Arkansas. He graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, where he studied religion and humanities. His parents gave him tuition for the Drama Studio London's American scho...