William Atherton

Acting

William Atherton

Born 30 July 1947 · Orange, Connecticut, USA · 79

William Atherton Knight Jr. (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.

Known for

Highlights

Die Hard1988 · Film · Richard Thornburg
Ghostbusters1984 · Film · Walter Peck
Lost2004 · Series · Donald Reynolds
The Last Samurai2003 · Film · Winchester Rep
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · Series · Ned Bogden
Stargate SG-11997 · Series · Emissary Varta

Filmography

Movies

59 films

Where Did the Adults Go?2025 · Film · The Father
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire2024 · Film · Mayor Walter Peck
Bad Company2018 · Film
Clinical2017 · Film · Terry Drummond
Jinn2014 · Film · Father Westhoff
The Citizen2012 · Film
Jersey Shore Shark Attack2012 · Film · Dolan
Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie2012 · Film · Earle Swinter
The Kane Files: Life of Trial2010 · Film · Daniel Morgan
Ghouls2008 · Film · Stefan
Black Crescent Moon2008 · Film · Jo Dexton
Aces 'N' Eights2008 · Film · Howard
The Girl Next Door2007 · Film · Adult David Moran
Kush2007 · Film · King
Towards Darkness2007 · Film · John
Into the Sun2005 · Film · Agent Block
Headspace2005 · Film · Dr. Ira Gold
Gone but Not Forgotten2005 · Film · Sen. Ray Colby
Who's Your Daddy?2004 · Film · Duncan Mack
The Last Samurai2003 · Film · Winchester Rep
Race to Space2001 · Film · Ralph Stanton
Burning Down the House2001 · Film · Arthur Kranston
Bread and Roses2000 · Film · Party Guest (uncredited)
The Crow: Salvation2000 · Film · Nathan Randall
The Stranger1999 · Film
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge1999 · Film · Darryl Zanuck
Michael Kael vs. the World News Company1998 · Film · James Denit
Mad City1997 · Film · Dohlen
Executive Power1997 · Film · President Fields
Hoodlum1997 · Film · Thomas E. Dewey
Raven Hawk1996 · Film · Philip Thorne
Bio-Dome1996 · Film · Dr. Noah Faulkner
Broken Trust1995 · Film · Neil Roemer
Virus1995 · Film · Dr. Reginald Holloway
Frank & Jesse1994 · Film · Allan Pinkerton
Saints and Sinners1994 · Film · Terence
The Pelican Brief1993 · Film · Bob Gminski
Chrome Soldiers1992 · Film · Sheriff Blackwell
Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder1992 · Film · Eric Walker
Oscar1991 · Film · Overton
Grim Prairie Tales1990 · Film · Arthur
Die Hard 21990 · Film · Richard Thornberg
Buried Alive1990 · Film · Cort van Owen
Intrigue1988 · Film · Doggett
Die Hard1988 · Film · Richard Thornburg
The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine1987 · Film · Martin 'Alpha' Loeber
No Mercy1986 · Film · Allan Deveneux
A Fight for Jenny1986 · Film · Michael Rosen
Real Genius1985 · Film · Professor Hathaway
Ghostbusters1984 · Film · Walter Peck
Malibu1983 · Film · Stan Harvey
Tomorrow's Child1982 · Film · Jim Spence
Looking for Mr. Goodbar1977 · Film · James
Independence1976 · Film · Benjamin Rush
The Hindenburg1975 · Film · Boerth
The Day of the Locust1975 · Film · Tod Hackett
The Sugarland Express1974 · Film · Clovis Poplin
Class of '441973 · Film · Fraternity President
The New Centurions1972 · Film · Johnson

Filmography

Series

23 shows

Workaholics2011 · Series · Thor Holmvik
Castle2009 · Series · Ari Weiss
Childrens Hospital2008 · Series · Levon Bainter
Life2007 · Series · Mickey Rayborn
Numb3rs2005 · Series · Warren Pierce
Desperate Housewives2004 · Series · Dr. Barr
Boston Legal2004 · Series · A.D.A. Howard Zale
Lost2004 · Series · Donald Reynolds
Monk2002 · Series · Commander Nathan Whitaker
Justice League2001 · Series · Dr. Destiny / John Dee (voice)
Night Visions2001 · Series · William Price (segment "Hate Puppet")
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · Series · Ned Bogden
Stargate SG-11997 · Series · Emissary Varta
The Practice1997 · Series · Keith Pratt
Nash Bridges1996 · Series · Dr. Linus Mills
The Outer Limits1995 · Series · Franklin Murdoch
HBO First Look1992 · Series
Law & Order1990 · Series · Don Snyder
Tales from the Crypt1989 · Series · Malcolm Mayflower
The Twilight Zone1985 · Series · Brian Wolfe (segment "Night of the Meek")
The Equalizer1985 · Series · Martin 'Alpha' Loeber
Murder, She Wrote1984 · Series · Larry Holleran
Centennial1978 · Series · Jim Lloyd