William Sadler
Actor
Known for
A dependable American character actor with a knack for both villains and hard-bitten authority figures. William Sadler is memorable as the long-institutionalized convict Heywood in 'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994), the terrorist ringleader Colonel Stuart in 'Die Hard 2' (1990), and a wonderfully deadpan Grim Reaper in 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey'. He later appeared in the horror film 'The Mist' (2007) and the blockbuster 'Iron Man 3' (2013). The Buffalo-born actor brings a lean, flinty edge to a long career of sharp, well-observed supporting roles across film and television.
William Sadler
Actor
75 Movies · 50 Series
A dependable American character actor with a knack for both villains and hard-bitten authority figures. William Sadler is memorable as the long-institutionalized convict Heywood in 'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994), the terrorist ringleader Colonel Stuart in 'Die Hard 2' (1990), and a wonderfully deadpan Grim Reaper in 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey'. He later appeared in the horror film 'The Mist' (2007) and the blockbuster 'Iron Man 3' (2013). The Buffalo-born actor brings a lean, flinty edge to a long career of sharp, well-observed supporting roles across film and television.
Movies
Plays Heywood
The Shawshank Redemption
1994
Plays Klaus Detterick
The Green Mile
1999
Plays President Ellis
Iron Man 3
2013
Plays Valet
Man on a Ledge
2012
Plays Stuart
Die Hard 2
1990
Plays Jim
The Mist
2007
Plays Jerry's Dad
Eagle Eye
2008
Plays Father Hagan
The Unholy
2021
Plays Frank Sutton
The Hot Spot
1990
Plays Thomas Novacek
August Rush
2007
Plays Parkins Gillespie
Salem's Lot
2024
Plays Detective Wilson
The Grudge
2019
Plays Mummy
Bordello of Blood
1996
Plays Senator Vernon Trent
Hard to Kill
1990
Producer
Plays Death
Bill & Ted Face the Music
2020
Plays Henry Barrow
The Highwaymen
2019
Plays Sheriff Doakes
Machete Kills
2013
Plays Wild Bill Overbeck
RocketMan
1997
Plays Frank Brayker
Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight
1995
Plays Grim Reaper
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey
1991
Plays Salesman Don
K-9
1989
Plays Hollis Bannister
The Yeti
2026
Plays Dick Brian
Freaked
1993
Plays Coach Dickey
Unconquered
1989
Plays Ivan Reisz
DeVour
2005
Plays Wilson Wyler Concannon
The Hills Run Red
2009
Plays Kenneth Braun
Kinsey
2004
Plays Governor Ross
The Duel
2016
Plays Dickson
Off Beat
1986
Plays Peter Santucci
Freeheld
2015
Plays Newberry
Disturbing Behavior
1998
Plays Don
Trespass
1992
Plays Ray
Being Flynn
2012
Plays Frank Hellner
Valerie 23
1995
Plays Hotel Clerk
Hanky Panky
1982
Plays Senator Lampert
Confess
2005
Plays Roger Dewitt
A New Wave
2007
Plays George Youngstown
Restitution
2011
Producer
Plays Gilbert McCalister
She Came from the Woods
2023
Plays Dr. Carroll
Project X
1987
Plays Barry
A Stage of Twilight
2024
Plays Colonel Frank Madden / Improved Solo
Solo
1996
Plays Monroe
Rush
1991
Plays Ringo
Skippy
2001
Plays Walter Reed
VFW
2019
Plays Uncle Rodney
Jimmy and Judy
2006
Plays Sheriff Dusty Hawkins
Deadly Crush
2018
Plays Abe
The Battle of Shaker Heights
2003
Plays Bernard
Ava's Possessions
2015
Plays John Capper
Silent but Deadly
2011
TV Shows
Director
Plays Jim Valenti
Roswell
1999
Plays General Kelly / Mitch McConnell / Jeff Sessions (voice)
Our Cartoon President
2018
Plays Darrin Tyler
Wonderfalls
2004
Plays Lt Col. Lewis 'Chesty' Puller
The Pacific
2010
Plays Carlton Fog
Traveler
2007
Plays John McGarrett
Hawaii Five-0
2010
Plays McClarenTruth.org's Financier
Damages
2007
Plays Gene McCusker
Full Circle
2023
Plays Sam Milhoan
The Blacklist
2013
Plays Detective Michael Sheehan
When They See Us
2019
Plays President Ellis
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2013
Plays Sloan
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993
Plays Michael Higgins
Homeland
2011
Plays Neil Herman
The Path to 9/11
2006
Plays Ken
Dear John
1988
Plays Tony Teresi
Power
2014
Plays Shamus Bloom
Poltergeist: The Legacy
1996
Plays Nate McKenny
666 Park Avenue
2012
Plays Rev. Elias
God Friended Me
2018
Plays The Grim Reaper
Tales from the Crypt
1989
Plays Dr. Sumner
Fringe
2008
Plays Dr. Linus
The Omen
1995
Plays Colonel Fitzpatrick
Murphy Brown
1988
Plays Travis
Tru Calling
2003
Plays Sarge
Rebel Highway
1994
Plays Michael Flynn
The Comey Rule
2020
Plays Lee Leetch
Ed
2000
Plays Paul Rice
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
2005
Plays Police Commissioner Jack Dowdell
Golden Boy
2013
Plays Dr. Friedrich Mann
Hunters
2020
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
The Yeti
Full Filmography 125
The Last Day of Byron Bray
Byron Bray
2026
The Yeti
Hollis Bannister
2026
The Rookie
Walter Fields
2025Season 7
Salem's Lot
Parkins Gillespie
2024
A Stage of Twilight
Barry
2024
Full Circle
Gene McCusker
2023Season 1
She Came from the Woods
Gilbert McCalister
2023
The Unholy
Father Hagan
2021
Alice Fades Away
James
2021
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is William Sadler and where are they from?
William Sadler is 76 years old, born on April 13, 1950 in Buffalo, New York, USA.
What are the most famous roles of William Sadler?
William Sadler is best known for roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Iron Man 3, The Green Mile.
How many movies has William Sadler been in?
Over a 48-year career (since 1978), William Sadler has appeared in 75 movies and 50 TV shows.
What was William Sadler's first movie?
The career of William Sadler began with The Great Wallendas (1978).
What is William Sadler's most recent movie or series?
William Sadler's most recent release is The Last Day of Byron Bray, which premiered on April 11, 2026.
What TV shows has William Sadler appeared in?
On television, William Sadler has appeared in The Flash, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Criminal Minds, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
William Sadler
1950-04-13 · Buffalo, New York, USA
William Thomas Sadler (born April 13, 1950) is an American actor who works in film and television. His television and motion picture roles have included Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller in The Pacific, Luther Sloan in Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Sheriff Jim Valenti in Roswell, and—perhaps most notably—the Grim Reaper in Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, a role for which he was nominated for, and won, the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor, and his role as Colonel Stuart alongside Bruce Willis in Die Hard 2.