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William Forsythe

Born in Brooklyn, New York, William Forsythe began acting at the age of 10 appearing in school and community theater productions. By age 17, he was acting professionally, appearing in over 40 plays in various dinner theaters, touring companies, stock and repertory, where he developed his craft before moving to Los Angles to pursue a movie career.

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.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2006.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

William Forsythe Facts

OccupationActor
BirthdayJune 7, 1955 (68)
SignGemini
BirthplaceBrooklyn, New York, USA

Selected Filmography

The Devil's Rejects (2005) user recommendation as Sheriff John Wydell
Strike Force (2004) as Agent Simon
John Doe (2002) tv as Digger (breakthrough)
Blue Streak (1999) as Det. Hardcastle
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999) as Det. Chuck Fowler
Dollar For The Dead (1998) tv-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
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