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William Sadler (actor) facts for kids

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William Sadler
William Sadler 2019.jpg
Sadler in 2019
Born
William Thomas Sadler

(1950-04-13) April 13, 1950 (age 75)
Education State University of New York, Geneseo (BA)
Cornell University (MFA)
Occupation Actor
Years active 1977–present
Spouse(s)
Marni Joan Bakst
(m. 1978; died 2024)
Children 1

William Thomas Sadler (born April 13, 1950) is an American actor. He has played many different characters in movies and TV shows. You might know him as President Matthew Ellis in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies like Iron Man 3. He also played Gino Fish in the Jesse Stone TV films.

William Sadler has been in popular TV shows such as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Roswell, and Hawaii Five-0. His movie roles include Die Hard 2, The Shawshank Redemption, and Bill & Ted Face the Music.

Early Life and Education

William Sadler was born in Buffalo, New York. His parents were Jane and William Sadler.

From a young age, William loved to perform for people. In high school, he played many string instruments. He was known as Banjo Bill Sadler. He would sing, play the banjo, and tell jokes.

After high school, he went to SUNY Geneseo. Then, he studied for two years at Cornell University. There, he earned a master's degree in acting.

Acting Career Highlights

William Sadler started his acting career in New York City. He appeared in over 75 plays. One of his first big roles was in the Broadway play Biloxi Blues in 1985. He played Sgt. Toomey alongside actor Matthew Broderick.

Famous Movie Roles

Sadler is well-known for several movie parts. He played Colonel Stuart in the 1990 action film Die Hard 2. He was Heywood in the 1994 prison drama The Shawshank Redemption. He also played Death in the 1991 comedy Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey. He returned as Death in the 2020 movie Bill & Ted Face the Music.

When he first tried out for Die Hard 2, he was told he looked too young. So, with help from a makeup artist, he tried out again looking like a 70-year-old. He got the part! In Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, his real wife and young daughter also appeared in scenes.

Television Appearances

William Sadler was a regular on the TV show Roswell. He played Sheriff Jim Valenti. He also appeared in Wonderfalls as Darrin Tyler.

He has made guest appearances on many other TV shows. These include CSI, Numb3rs, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He had a repeating role on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Luther Sloan.

William Sadler (cropped)
Sadler in 2010

In 2013, Sadler played Matthew Ellis, the President of the United States, in Iron Man 3. He also appeared as President Ellis in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. from 2015 to 2016.

In 2010, he voiced the robot Victor in the video game Fallout: New Vegas.

Personal Life

William Sadler married Marni Joan Bakst on May 6, 1978. They had one daughter, Sadler Colley Bakst, born on February 17, 1986. Marni Joan Bakst passed away on December 19, 2024.

Film and Television Roles

William Sadler has had many roles in movies and on television. Here are some of them:

Movies

Year Title Role
1987 Project X Dr. Carroll
1989 K-9 Don, Car Salesman
1990 Die Hard 2 Colonel William Stuart
1991 Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey Death
1992 Trespass Don Perry
1994 The Shawshank Redemption Heywood
1995 Demon Knight Frank Brayker
1998 Disturbing Behavior Dorian Newberry
1999 The Green Mile Klaus Detterick
2004 Kinsey Kenneth Braun
2007 August Rush Thomas Novacek
2007 The Mist Jim Grondin
2013 Iron Man 3 President Matthew Ellis
2019 The Highwaymen Henry Barrow
2020 Bill & Ted Face the Music Death
2021 The Unholy Father William Hagan
2024 'Salem's Lot Parkins Gillespie

Television Shows

Year Title Role
1987–1988 Private Eye Lieutenant Charlie Fontana
1989–1994 Tales from the Crypt Niles Talbot / The Grim Reaper
1998–1999 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Luther Sloan
1999–2002 Roswell Sheriff Jim Valenti
2004 Wonderfalls Darrin Tyler
2010 The Pacific Lieutenant Colonel Lewis 'Chesty' Puller
2010–2020 Hawaii Five-0 John McGarrett
2015–2016 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. President Matthew Ellis
2017–2018 Power Tony Teresi
2019 When They See Us Michael Sheehan
2020 The Comey Rule Michael Flynn
2023 Full Circle Gene McCusker

Video Games

Year Title Voice Role
2010 Fallout: New Vegas Victor

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: William Sadler (actor) para niños

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