Portrait of William Atherton

William Atherton

Bio: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William Atherton Knight (born July 30, 1947) is an American actor, best known for portraying Richard Thornburg in Die Hard and its sequel and Walter Peck in Ghostbusters.
Born: Wed, Jul 30 1947
Birthplace: Orange, Connecticut, USA
William Atherton is 77 years old
External Links
IMDb logo
Sort by Popularity
Scroll to TV Credits
Acting Roles
Crew Roles

Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
William Atherton was 76 in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire as 'Mayor Walter Peck'.
Movie Released: Wed, Mar 20 2024
Poster of Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters
Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters
William Atherton was 72 in Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jan 07 2020
Poster of Clinical
Clinical
William Atherton was 69 in Clinical as 'Terry Drummond'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 13 2017
Poster of Ghostheads
Ghostheads
William Atherton was 68 in Ghostheads as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Sat, Apr 23 2016
Poster of Jinn
Jinn
William Atherton was 66 in Jinn as 'Father Westhoff'.
Movie Released: Fri, Apr 04 2014
Poster of Jersey Shore Shark Attack
Jersey Shore Shark Attack
William Atherton was 64 in Jersey Shore Shark Attack as 'Dolan'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jun 09 2012
Poster of Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie
Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie
William Atherton was 64 in Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie as 'Earle Swinter'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 02 2012
Poster of The Kane Files: Life of Trial
The Kane Files: Life of Trial
William Atherton was 63 in The Kane Files: Life of Trial as 'Daniel Morgan'.
Movie Released: Sat, Oct 02 2010
Poster of Ghouls
Ghouls
William Atherton was 60 in Ghouls as 'Stefan'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jul 12 2008
Poster of Black Crescent Moon
Black Crescent Moon
William Atherton was 60 in Black Crescent Moon as 'Jo Dexton'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jun 15 2008
Poster of Aces 'N' Eights
Aces 'N' Eights
William Atherton was 60 in Aces 'N' Eights as 'Howard'.
Movie Released: Sat, Mar 15 2008
Poster of The Girl Next Door
The Girl Next Door
William Atherton was 59 in The Girl Next Door as 'Adult David Moran'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jul 19 2007
Poster of Kush
Kush
William Atherton was 59 in Kush as 'King'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jun 03 2007
Poster of Towards Darkness
Towards Darkness
William Atherton was 59 in Towards Darkness as 'John'.
Movie Released: Sat, Apr 28 2007
Poster of Into the Sun
Into the Sun
William Atherton was 58 in Into the Sun as 'Agent Block'.
Movie Released: Sat, Nov 26 2005
Poster of Headspace
Headspace
William Atherton was 58 in Headspace as 'Dr. Ira Gold'.
Movie Released: Sun, Sep 18 2005
Poster of Gone But Not Forgotten
Gone But Not Forgotten
William Atherton was 57 in Gone But Not Forgotten as 'Sen. Ray Colby'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jan 01 2005
Poster of Who's Your Daddy?
Who's Your Daddy?
William Atherton was 56 in Who's Your Daddy? as 'Duncan Mack'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jan 07 2004
Poster of The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai
William Atherton was 56 in The Last Samurai as 'Winchester Rep'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 05 2003
Poster of Race to Space
Race to Space
William Atherton was 54 in Race to Space as 'Ralph Stanton'.
Movie Released: Wed, Oct 31 2001
Poster of Burning Down the House
Burning Down the House
William Atherton was 53 in Burning Down the House as 'Arthur Kranston'.
Movie Released: Wed, Feb 07 2001
Poster of Bread and Roses
Bread and Roses
William Atherton was 53 in Bread and Roses as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Thu, Sep 14 2000
Poster of The Crow: Salvation
The Crow: Salvation
William Atherton was 52 in The Crow: Salvation as 'Nathan Randall'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jan 23 2000
Poster of The Stranger
The Stranger
William Atherton was 52 in The Stranger
Movie Released: Sun, Dec 12 1999
Poster of Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
William Atherton was 52 in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge as 'Darryl Zanuck'.
Movie Released: Sat, Aug 21 1999
Poster of Michael Kael vs. the World News Company
Michael Kael vs. the World News Company
William Atherton was 50 in Michael Kael vs. the World News Company as 'James Denit'.
Movie Released: Wed, Feb 18 1998
Poster of Mad City
Mad City
William Atherton was 50 in Mad City as 'Dohlen'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 07 1997
Poster of Executive Power
Executive Power
William Atherton was 50 in Executive Power as 'President Fields'.
Movie Released: Thu, Sep 25 1997
Poster of Hoodlum
Hoodlum
William Atherton was 50 in Hoodlum as 'Thomas E. Dewey'.
Movie Released: Wed, Aug 27 1997
Poster of Raven Hawk
Raven Hawk
William Atherton was 48 in Raven Hawk as 'Philip Thorne'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jul 20 1996
Poster of Bio-Dome
Bio-Dome
William Atherton was 48 in Bio-Dome as 'Dr. Noah Faulkner'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 12 1996
Poster of Broken Trust
Broken Trust
William Atherton was 48 in Broken Trust as 'Neil Roemer'.
Movie Released: Sun, Aug 06 1995
Poster of A Night to Die For
A Night to Die For
William Atherton was 47 in A Night to Die For as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Thu, May 18 1995
Poster of Virus
Virus
William Atherton was 47 in Virus as 'Dr. Reginald Holloway'.
Movie Released: Mon, May 08 1995
Poster of Frank & Jesse
Frank & Jesse
William Atherton was 47 in Frank & Jesse as 'Allan Pinkerton'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 21 1994
Poster of Saints and Sinners
Saints and Sinners
William Atherton was 47 in Saints and Sinners as 'Terence'.
Movie Released: Wed, Sep 28 1994
Poster of The Pelican Brief
The Pelican Brief
William Atherton was 46 in The Pelican Brief as 'Bob Gminski'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 17 1993
Poster of Chrome Soldiers
Chrome Soldiers
William Atherton was 44 in Chrome Soldiers as 'Sheriff Blackwell'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 06 1992
Poster of Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder
Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder
William Atherton was 44 in Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder as 'Eric Walker'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jan 05 1992
Poster of Oscar
Oscar
William Atherton was 43 in Oscar as 'Overton'.
Movie Released: Fri, Apr 26 1991
Poster of Grim Prairie Tales
Grim Prairie Tales
William Atherton was 43 in Grim Prairie Tales as 'Arthur'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 14 1990
Poster of Die Hard 2
Die Hard 2
William Atherton was 42 in Die Hard 2 as 'Richard Thornburg'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jul 03 1990
Poster of Buried Alive
Buried Alive
William Atherton was 42 in Buried Alive as 'Cortland "Cort" van Owen'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 09 1990
Poster of Intrigue
Intrigue
William Atherton was 41 in Intrigue as 'Doggett'.
Movie Released: Sun, Sep 11 1988
Poster of Die Hard
Die Hard
William Atherton was 40 in Die Hard as 'Richard Thornburg'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jul 15 1988
Poster of The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine
The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine
William Atherton was 40 in The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine as 'Martin 'Alpha' Loeber'.
Movie Released: Wed, Sep 23 1987
Poster of No Mercy
No Mercy
William Atherton was 39 in No Mercy as 'Allan Deveneux'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 19 1986
Poster of A Fight for Jenny
A Fight for Jenny
William Atherton was 39 in A Fight for Jenny as 'Michael Rosen'.
Movie Released: Mon, Oct 06 1986
Poster of Real Genius
Real Genius
William Atherton was 38 in Real Genius as 'Professor Hathaway'.
Movie Released: Wed, Aug 07 1985
Poster of Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
William Atherton was 36 in Ghostbusters as 'Walter Peck'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 08 1984
Poster of Malibu
Malibu
William Atherton was 35 in Malibu as 'Stan Harvey'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jan 23 1983
Poster of Tomorrow's Child
Tomorrow's Child
William Atherton was 34 in Tomorrow's Child as 'Jim Spence'.
Movie Released: Mon, Mar 22 1982
Poster of The House of Mirth
The House of Mirth
William Atherton was 33 in The House of Mirth as 'Lawrence Selden'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jan 01 1981
Poster of Looking for Mr. Goodbar
Looking for Mr. Goodbar
William Atherton was 30 in Looking for Mr. Goodbar as 'James'.
Movie Released: Wed, Oct 19 1977
Poster of Independence
Independence
William Atherton was 28 in Independence as 'Benjamin Rush'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jul 04 1976
Poster of The Hindenburg
The Hindenburg
William Atherton was 28 in The Hindenburg as 'Boerth'.
Movie Released: Thu, Dec 25 1975
Poster of The Day of the Locust
The Day of the Locust
William Atherton was 27 in The Day of the Locust as 'Tod Hackett'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 07 1975
Poster of The Sugarland Express
The Sugarland Express
William Atherton was 26 in The Sugarland Express as 'Clovis Poplin'.
Movie Released: Sun, Mar 31 1974
Poster of Class of '44
Class of '44
William Atherton was 25 in Class of '44 as 'Fraternity President'.
Movie Released: Tue, Apr 10 1973
Poster of The New Centurions
The New Centurions
William Atherton was 25 in The New Centurions as 'Johnson'.
Movie Released: Thu, Aug 03 1972
Poster of Where Did the Adults Go?
Where Did the Adults Go?
William Atherton will be 77+ in Where Did the Adults Go? as 'The Father'.
Movie Released: Unreleased
Poster of Midnight Men - A John Schlesinger & Michael Childers Story
Midnight Men - A John Schlesinger & Michael Childers Story
William Atherton will be 77+ in Midnight Men - A John Schlesinger & Michael Childers Story
Movie Released: Unreleased

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Reunited Apart
Reunited Apart
William Atherton was 72+ in Reunited Apart as 'Self'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Apr 27 2020
Poster of Castle
Castle
William Atherton was 61+ in Castle as 'Ari Weiss'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Mar 09 2009
Poster of Childrens Hospital
Childrens Hospital
William Atherton was 61+ in Childrens Hospital as 'Levon Bainter'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Dec 08 2008
Poster of Life
Life
William Atherton was 60+ in Life as 'Mickey Rayborn'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 26 2007
Poster of Numb3rs
Numb3rs
William Atherton was 57+ in Numb3rs
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 23 2005
Poster of Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
William Atherton was 57+ in Desperate Housewives as 'Dr. Barr'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Oct 03 2004
Poster of Boston Legal
Boston Legal
William Atherton was 57+ in Boston Legal as 'A.D.A. Howard Zale'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Oct 03 2004
Poster of Lost
Lost
William Atherton was 57+ in Lost as 'Donald Reynolds'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 22 2004
Poster of Monk
Monk
William Atherton was 54+ in Monk as 'Commander Nathan Whitaker'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Jul 12 2002
Poster of Justice League
Justice League
William Atherton was 54+ in Justice League as 'Dr. Destiny / John Dee (voice)'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Nov 17 2001
Poster of Night Visions
Night Visions
William Atherton was 53+ in Night Visions as 'William Price (segment "Hate Puppet")'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jul 12 2001
Poster of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
William Atherton was 52+ in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as 'Ned Bogden'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 20 1999
Poster of The Crow: Stairway to Heaven
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven
William Atherton was 51+ in The Crow: Stairway to Heaven as 'Nathan Randall'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 25 1998
Poster of Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1
William Atherton was 49+ in Stargate SG-1 as 'Emissary Varta'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jul 27 1997
Poster of The Practice
The Practice
William Atherton was 49+ in The Practice as 'D.A. Keith Pratt'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Mar 04 1997
Poster of Nash Bridges
Nash Bridges
William Atherton was 48+ in Nash Bridges
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Mar 29 1996
Poster of The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits
William Atherton was 47+ in The Outer Limits as 'Franklin Murdoch'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Mar 26 1995
Poster of HBO First Look
HBO First Look
William Atherton was 44+ in HBO First Look
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Jun 12 1992
Poster of Law & Order
Law & Order
William Atherton was 43+ in Law & Order as 'Don Snyder, Dan Jensen'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 13 1990
Poster of Max Monroe: Loose Cannon
Max Monroe: Loose Cannon
William Atherton was 42+ in Max Monroe: Loose Cannon
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Jan 05 1990
Poster of Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Crypt
William Atherton was 41+ in Tales from the Crypt as 'Malcolm Mayflower'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Jun 10 1989
Poster of The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
William Atherton was 38+ in The Twilight Zone as 'Brian Wolfe (segment "Night of the Meek"), (segment "The Card")'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 27 1985
Poster of The Equalizer
The Equalizer
William Atherton was 38+ in The Equalizer as 'Martin 'Alpha' Loeber, Gideon'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 18 1985
Poster of Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
William Atherton was 37+ in Murder, She Wrote as 'Larry Holleran, Greg Dalton, Prosecutor Andy Henley'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 30 1984
Poster of Centennial
Centennial
William Atherton was 31+ in Centennial as 'Jim Lloyd'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Oct 01 1978