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William Sadler, actor
Actor

William Sadler: Movies & Box Office

films
60
on screen
1978–2024
box office
$317M
average score
59
Born
April 13, 1950 (age 76)
Birthplace
Buffalo, New York, United States
Citizenship
United States
Occupations
film actor, television actor
Years active
1980-present
Spouses
Marni Joan Bakst
Children
1
Known for

The Best William Sadler Movies

The highest-rated films William Sadler is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) scores highest, at 80. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

William Sadler's Career in Numbers

William Sadler's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres William Sadler works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from The Great Wallendas (1978) to Salem's Lot (2024), and the 1990s were the busiest decade.

William Sadler Movies by Decade

  1. 1970s 1
  2. 1980s 2
  3. 1990s 18
  4. 2000s 12
  5. 2010s 18
  6. 2020s 8

The 1990s were William Sadler's busiest decade, with 18 films.

William Sadler Movies by Genre

  • Drama 8
  • Action 8
  • Mystery 7
  • Horror 6
  • Thriller 6
  • Comedy 6
  • Tv movie 6
  • Adventure 2
  • Sci-Fi 2
  • Romance 2

Drama is the genre William Sadler has worked in most, with 8 films, ahead of action (8).

William Sadler Career Milestones

First film
The Great Wallendas 1978
Biggest box office hit
The Grudge $49.5M worldwide
Best-rated film
Bill & Ted Face the Music Movie Echo Score 80
Newest film
Salem's Lot 2024
60 credits

William Sadler Filmography: Every Movie

Every film William Sadler is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 59. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

William Sadler Movies as an Actor

59
  1. 2024 Salem's Lot (2024) movie poster Salem's Lot as Parkins Gillespie · Horror Movie Echo Score: 50
  2. 2022 She Came from the Woods (2022) movie poster She Came from the Woods as Gilbert McCalister · Horror Movie Echo Score: 47
  3. 2022 A Stage of Twilight (2022) movie poster A Stage of Twilight as Barry · Drama
  4. 2021 The Unholy (2021) movie poster The Unholy as Father Hagan · Drama Movie Echo Score: 51
  5. 2021 Alice Fades Away (2021) movie poster Alice Fades Away as James · Thriller
  6. 2020 Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) movie poster Bill & Ted Face the Music as Death · Adventure Movie Echo Score: 80
  7. 2020 VFW (2020) movie poster VFW as Walter Reed · Action Movie Echo Score: 74
  8. 2020 The Grudge (2020) movie poster The Grudge as Detective Wilson · Mystery Movie Echo Score: 47
  9. 2019 The Grudge (2019) movie poster The Grudge as Detective Wilson · Horror Movie Echo Score: 38
  10. 2019 VFW (2019) movie poster VFW as Walter Reed · Horror Movie Echo Score: 71
  11. 2019 The Highwaymen (2019) movie poster The Highwaymen as Henry Barrow · Biography Movie Echo Score: 73
  12. 2018 Deadly Crush (2018) movie poster Deadly Crush as Sheriff Dusty Hawkins · Thriller
  13. 2018 Melvin Smarty (2018) movie poster Melvin Smarty as Bob · Comedy
  14. 2018 Living Among Us (2018) movie poster Living Among Us as Samuel · Sci-Fi Movie Echo Score: 59
  15. 2015 Edge (2015) movie poster Edge as Big Bill · Western
  16. 2015 Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015) movie poster Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise as Gino Fish · Mystery
  17. 2013 Greetings from Tim Buckley (2013) movie poster Greetings from Tim Buckley Drama
  18. 2013 Onion News Empire (2013) movie poster Onion News Empire as Ed Musgrove · Comedy
  19. 2013 Riddle (2013) movie poster Riddle as Western Man / Jack Abel · Mystery
  20. 2012 Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012) movie poster Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt as Gino Fish · Drama
  21. 2012 See Girl Run (2012) movie poster See Girl Run as Marty · Romance
  22. 2011 Silent But Deadly (2011) movie poster Silent But Deadly as John Capper · Horror
  23. 2011 Restitution (2011) movie poster Restitution as George Youngstown · Thriller
  24. 2011 Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011) movie poster Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost as Gino Fish · Tv movie
  25. 2010 Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010) movie poster Jesse Stone: No Remorse as Gino Fish · Mystery
  26. 2010 The Pacific (2010) movie poster The Pacific as Lt Col. Lewis 'Chesty' Puller · Drama
  27. 2009 Beyond All Boundaries (2009) movie poster Beyond All Boundaries as Lt. Colonel Lewis B. 'Chesty' Puller · War
  28. 2009 Shadowheart (2009) movie poster Shadowheart as Thomas Conners · Action
  29. 2009 The Hills Run Red (2009) movie poster The Hills Run Red as Wilson Wyler Concannon · Thriller
  30. 2007 A New Wave (2007) movie poster A New Wave as Roger Dewitt · Comedy
  31. 2007 Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007) movie poster Jesse Stone: Sea Change as Gino Fish · Tv movie
  32. 2006 Jimmy and Judy (2006) movie poster Jimmy and Judy as Uncle Rodney · Drama
  33. 2006 Premium (2006) movie poster Premium as Cole Carter · Romance
  34. 2006 The Good Student (2006) movie poster The Good Student as Phil Palmer · Comedy
  35. 2006 The Path to 9/11 (2006) movie poster The Path to 9/11 as Neil Herman · Drama
  36. 2005 Devour (2005) movie poster Devour Horror
  37. 2005 Confess (2005) movie poster Confess as Senator Lampert · Thriller
  38. 2005 Purple Heart (2005) movie poster Purple Heart as Colonel Allen · Action
  39. 1999 Witness Protection (1999) movie poster Witness Protection as Sharp · Crime
  40. 1999 Stealth Fighter (1999) movie poster Stealth Fighter as Adm. Frank Petersen · Thriller
  41. 1998 Disturbing Behavior (1998) movie poster Disturbing Behavior as Newberry · Mystery
  42. 1998 Ambushed (1998) movie poster Ambushed as Jim Natter · Tv movie
  43. 1997 RocketMan (1997) movie poster RocketMan as Wild Bill Overbeck · Comedy
  44. 1996 Solo (1996) movie poster Solo as Colonel Frank Madden / Improved Solo · Action
  45. 1996 Tales From the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood (1996) movie poster Tales From the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood Fantasy
  46. 1995 The Omen (1995) movie poster The Omen as Dr. Linus · Tv movie
  47. 1995 Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995) movie poster Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight Action
  48. 1994 Roadracers (1994) movie poster Roadracers as Sarge · Fantasy
  49. 1993 Jack Reed: Badge of Honor (1993) movie poster Jack Reed: Badge of Honor as David Anatole · Mystery
  50. 1993 Freaked (1993) movie poster Freaked Sci-Fi
  51. 1992 Trespass (1992) movie poster Trespass Action
  52. 1992 Two-Fisted Tales (1992) movie poster Two-Fisted Tales as Mr. Rush (Presenter) · Tv movie
  53. 1992 Rush (1992) movie poster Rush Action
  54. 1991 Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) movie poster Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey Adventure
  55. 1990 The Face of Fear (1990) movie poster The Face of Fear as Anthony Prine · Tv movie
  56. 1990 Hard to Kill (1990) movie poster Hard to Kill Action
  57. 1986 Off Beat (1986) movie poster Off Beat as Dickson · Comedy
  58. 1982 Hanky Panky (1982) movie poster Hanky Panky as Hotel Clerk · Mystery
  59. 1978 The Great Wallendas (1978) movie poster The Great Wallendas as Dieter Schmidt · Drama

William Sadler in Documentaries & Specials

1
  1. 2014 Walking the Mile (2014) movie poster Walking the Mile as Self · Documentary
Biography

Who Is William Sadler?

William Sadler was born in Buffalo, New York, United States in 1950 and is 76 years old. Credited on films since 1978, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

William Sadler is a renowned American film and television actor, known for his versatile performances across various genres. Born on April 13th, 1950, Sadler began his career in the early 1980s and has made significant contributions to both the film and television industry. With an acting prowess characterized by depth and adaptability, Sadler has played an impressive array of characters, often stealing scenes with his nuanced performances. Over the decades of his career, he has become a recognizable and respected face in the industry, with many critics praising his ability to slip into roles seamlessly. Sadler's range extends well beyond any single genre, and he has proven his skills in drama, comedy, action, and even horror.

Sadler's acting career includes prominent roles in both high-profile blockbusters and critically acclaimed indie films. He's perhaps best known for his roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, and Die Hard 2. In television, he has made remarkable contributions to popular series like Roswell, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and The Flash. Despite his success, Sadler has retained a humble and grounded approach to his craft, demonstrating the dedication and passion that are hallmarks of his career. He has been an active player in the industry for over four decades, consistently delivering performances that command attention.

FAQ

William Sadler: Questions & Answers

How many movies William Sadler has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has William Sadler been in?

William Sadler is credited on 60 films, from 1978 to 2024. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is William Sadler's highest-grossing movie?

The Grudge (2020) is William Sadler's biggest box office hit, with $49.5M worldwide, ahead of The Grudge (2019) ($49.5M). Across every film with box office figures, William Sadler's movies have made $317M.

William Sadler's biggest hits

What is the best William Sadler movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, William Sadler's best-rated film is Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) with a score of 80, followed by VFW (2020) (74).

Best William Sadler movies, ranked

How old is William Sadler?

William Sadler is 76 years old, born on April 13, 1950 in Buffalo, New York, United States.

What is William Sadler's newest movie?

The most recent film on William Sadler's filmography is Salem's Lot (2024), in the role of Parkins Gillespie.

Who does William Sadler work with most often?

William Sadler shares the most films with Tom Selleck (5 films), William Devane (5 films) and Kathy Baker (4 films).

The Best William Sadler Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 60 credits.

See the ranking

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