William Sadler (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Sadler
|
|
|---|---|
Sadler in 2019
|
|
| Born |
William Thomas Sadler
April 13, 1950 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
|
| 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.
Contents
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.
.jpg)
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
In Spanish: William Sadler (actor) para niños
