William Petersen: Age and Career Overview
William Petersen is an American actor born on February 21, 1953, which makes him 71 years old as of 2025. He is widely recognized for his role as Gil Grissom on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a character he portrayed from 2000 to 2015 across the franchise. Petersen has also appeared in series such as Dawson's Creek and Criminal Minds, and films like To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. This profile explains his age in context, career milestones, and key biographical details relevant to long-term public interest.
Age Calculation and Context
Because William Petersen was born on February 21, 1953, his age changes depending on whether his birthday has occurred in the current year. As of mid-2025, he is 71 years old. Below is a concise reference for selected years, illustrating how his age progresses over time.
Age Reference Table
| Year | William Petersen Age | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 71 | Current age as of mid-2025 |
| 2020 | 67 | Age at the end of the CSI original run |
| 2015 | 62 | Final season of CSI |
| 2000 | 47 | Premiere of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation |
| 1992 | 39 | Early career in film and television |
Biographical Overview
William Petersen is an actor with a decades-long presence in film and television. He was born in Evanston, Illinois, on February 21, 1953. He attended Idaho State University, where he studied theatre before pursuing professional acting work. His career combines stage experience with screen work, leading to sustained recognition since the 1980s. Personal details such as his birth date are consistently documented in reliable biographies and official records, supporting accurate age references over time.
Key Career Highlights
While Petersen has worked across stage and screen, certain roles define his public profile. His portrayal of Gil Grissom remains his most iconic performance and anchors his legacy in forensic drama. Other notable appearances demonstrate his range, though they play a smaller role in his overall recognition. His career reflects a long-term commitment to craft, with select roles continuing to shape how audiences identify him.
Notable Acting Roles
- Gil Grissom on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–2015)
- Billie on Dawson's Creek (1999)
- Special Agent Frank Garcia on Criminal Minds (2007–2008)
- Vincent Ludwig in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
- Supporting roles in films such as Fearless (1993) and The Whole Wide World (1996)
Personal Background and Stability
William Petersen has maintained a relatively private personal life, limiting public disclosures about family and daily routines. He has been married to actress Marisa since 1986, and the couple has two children. Such details are rarely subject to change and do not typically affect his professional standing. Because his career is rooted in performance rather than frequent public commentary, biographical summaries tend to remain stable over time, making age and career references durable for reference purposes.
Public Interest and Common Searches
Interest in William Petersen frequently centers on his age in relation to long-running television roles and legacy questions. Queries often compare his career trajectory to peers from the same era or seek clarification on his current activity. Because he has not been involved in frequent public controversy, misinformation is limited. However, age estimates can become outdated if not anchored to a specific year, which is why precise birthdate context remains relevant.
Reliable Sourcing and Verification
Age and career details for William Petersen are drawn from publicly available records, including official biographies, entertainment databases, and reputable media archives. Birth date is consistently reported as February 21, 1953, across multiple authoritative sources. This consistency supports high confidence in the information presented. Readers seeking primary sources can reference public records, interviews, and entertainment industry registries that document professional history and personal background.
Conclusion
William Petersen, born February 21, 1953, is 71 years old in 2025. His career, highlighted by the long-running role of Gil Grissom on CSI, contributes to a durable public profile. Understanding his age within career milestones provides clarity and context for ongoing interest. This profile is designed to remain useful by focusing on verifiable details and avoiding speculative or time-sensitive framing.