William Forsythe
After a few supporting roles, Forsythe's breakthrough part was that of Cockeye, a sweet faced, but ruthless gangster in Sergio Leone's masterpiece Once Upon a Time in America starring Robert De Niro.
Moving easily from comedy to drama, Forsythe has appeared in over 75 feature films working with such notable directors as John Frankenheimer (Dead Bang), Walter Hill (Extreme Prejudice), Paul Schrader (Patty Hearst), Michael Bay (The Rock), Warren Beatty (Dick Tracy) and Edward James Olmos (American Me). His other film credits include Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead with Andy Garcia, The Lightship with Robert Duvall, Virtuosity opposite Denzel Washington, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo opposite Rob Schneider, Weeds with Nick Nolte and City By the Sea, again opposite De Niro. Most recently, Forsythe appeared with critical acclaim as Sheriff Jack Wydell in Rob Zombie's 2005 box office success, The Devil's Rejects.
Forsythe was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his portrayal as Bloss in the memorable and moving The Waterdance, the winner of the Audience Choice Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 1992, which also starred Eric Stoltz and Wesley Snipes.
On television, Forsythe starred as Al Capone in the television series revival of The Untouchables. His other television credits include starring opposite Emilio Estevez in Gene Quintano's tribute to Sergio Leone and the spaghetti western A Dollar for the Dead, as well as an unforgettable performance as Sammy the Bull in HBO's Gotti, with Armand Assante and Anthony Quinn.
William Forsythe Facts
Occupation | Actor |
Birthday | June 7, 1955 (68) |
Sign | Gemini |
Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
Selected Filmography
The Devil's Rejects (2005) as Sheriff John Wydell |
Strike Force (2004) as Agent Simon |
John Doe (2002) as Digger (breakthrough) |
Blue Streak (1999) as Det. Hardcastle |
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999) as Det. Chuck Fowler |
Dollar For The Dead (1998) -movie as Dooley |
The Rock (1996) as Special Agent Ernest Paxton |
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995) as Franchise |
American Me (1992) as J.D. |
The Gun In Betty Lou's Handbag (1992) as Billy Beaudeen |
The Waterdance (1992) as Bloss |
Stone Cold (1991) as Ice |
Dick Tracy (1990) as Flattop |
Raising Arizona (1987) as Evelle Snoats |
Once Upon a Time in America (1984) as 'Cockeye' Stein |