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William Sadler

William Sadler

54 movies on Netflix

Biography

William Sadler is an American actor known as a character actor. Born in Buffalo, New York, he trained at Cornell University, where he earned a master's degree in acting. He began his career in New York theater and originated the role of Sgt. Toomey in Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues on Broadway in 1985. His best known film roles include Colonel Stuart in Die Hard 2 (1990), Death in Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991), Heywood in The Shawshank Redemption (1994), The Green Mile (1999), The Mist (2007), and he returned as Death in Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020). He also played President Matthew Ellis in Marvel Cinematic Universe projects such as Iron Man 3 (2013) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Gino Fish in the Jesse Stone television films. On television he had roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Roswell, The Pacific, and Hawaii Five-0.

76years old

Turns 77 on April 13in 186 days

  • Born Buffalo
  • Star sign: AriesThe sign runs March 21 to April 19
  • Also credited as William Thomas Sadler

Movie Career

Films
54
Career span
39 years1987 to 2026

Genres

First and latest

Photos

  • William Sadler, photo 1 of 3
  • William Sadler, photo 2 of 3
  • William Sadler, photo 3 of 3

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Did you know?!

  1. Big break

    Told he was too young at his first audition for Tales From the Crypt, Sadler got help from a make-up artist friend and tried again as a 70-year-old, landing the role.

  2. First role

    Sadler was the first to play Sgt. Toomey in the Broadway production of Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues, sharing the stage with Matthew Broderick in 1985.

William Sadler movies on Netflix

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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  1. The Shawshank Redemption1994 Crime, Dramaas Heywood

    IMDb rating 9.33.2M votes

  2. Die Hard 21990 Action, Thrilleras Col. Stuart

    IMDb rating 7.2410K votes

  3. The Mist2007as Jim

    IMDb rating 7.1380K votes

  4. Iron Man 32013as President Ellis

    IMDb rating 7.1984K votes

  5. Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey1991as Grim Reaper

    IMDb rating 6.386K votes

  6. August Rush2007as Thomas Novacek

    IMDb rating 7.4115K votes

  7. The Green Mile1999as Klaus Detterick

    IMDb rating 8.61.6M votes

  8. Hard to Kill1990as Senator Vernon Trent

    IMDb rating 5.835K votes

Most often with

Robert Harmon directed five of these films, Frank Darabont three and Robert Rodriguez two. Three actors appear in six of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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William Devane, 6 films togetherSee the 6 films with William DevaneTom Selleck, 6 films togetherSee the 6 films with Tom SelleckKohl Sudduth, 6 films togetherSee the 6 films with Kohl SudduthKathy Baker, 5 films togetherSee the 5 films with Kathy BakerStephen McHattie, 5 films togetherSee the 5 films with Stephen McHattieJeremy Akerman, 5 films togetherSee the 5 films with Jeremy AkermanRobert HarmonDirector, 5 filmsSee the 5 films by Robert HarmonFrank DarabontDirector, 3 filmsSee the 3 films by Frank DarabontRobert RodriguezDirector, 2 filmsSee the 2 films by Robert Rodriguez

Films together

Box office

What William Sadler's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$2.5 billion

27 of the 54 films have a worldwide figure.

Of the 54 films: 27 worldwide figure; 6 us gross only; 10 never in cinemas; 1 streaming, short cinema run; 10 figure not found.

  • 27Worldwide figure
  • 6US gross only
  • 10Never in cinemas
  • 1Streaming, short cinema run
  • 10Figure not found

Top grosser

Iron Man 32013as President Ellis$1.2 billion

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 88% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

  1. 1
    Iron Man 32013as President Ellis
    $1.2B49.1% of the total
  2. 2
    The Green Mile1999as Klaus Detterick
    $287M11.6% of the total
  3. 3
    Die Hard 21990as Col. Stuart
    $240M9.7% of the total
  4. 4
    Eagle Eye2008as Jerry's Dad
    $179M7.2% of the total
  5. 5
    K-91989as Salesman Don
    $78M3.2% of the total
  6. 6
    August Rush2007as Thomas Novacek
    $66M2.7% of the total
  7. 7
    The Mist2007as Jim
    $57M2.3% of the total
  8. 8
    The Grudge2019as Detective Wilson
    $50M2.0% of the total
Hard to Kill (1990), $47.4 millionMan on a Ledge (2012), $46.2 millionBill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991), $38.0 millionThe Unholy (2021), $30.8 millionThe Shawshank Redemption (1994), $28.3 millionProject X (1987), $18.5 millionMachete Kills (2013), $17.5 millionDisturbing Behavior (1998), $17.5 millionKinsey (2004), $17.1 millionRocketMan (1997), $15.4 millionTrespass (1992), $13.2 millionBill & Ted Face the Music (2020), $6.3 millionBordello of Blood (1996), $5.6 millionThe Hot Spot (1990), $1.3 millionSalem's Lot (2024), $851,156Freeheld (2015), $573,335

$305 millionfrom the other 19 films with a worldwide figure, 12% of the total

Awards

Two awards and honors.

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William Sadler's awards and nominations, grouped by award
YearAwardFilmResult
Other honors
Clarence Derwent AwardsWon
Saturn AwardsWon

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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