He’s been around for sometime. Since he started acting on the legitimate stage, William hasn’t looked back, and has more going for him now that CSI is a certified smash.
He drew attention with his films To Live and Die in LA, and Manhunter. He also drew attention with his Cousins, Young Guns II and Fear. Most recently he starred with Joan Allen in The Contender.
CSI, produced by megaman Jerry Bruckheimer of the Pearl Harbor and Armageddon fame is not his first foray into television. He did Long Gone for HBO, as well as The Rat Pack. Then there was Keep the Change. He also appeared on the award-winning The Kennedys of Massachusetts which won a Golden Globe Award and in The Beast, one of the highest rating TV series in television history.
Now, there’s Crime Scene Investigation. With the Emmys coming and the show being a serious contender, what could he ask for more? It already won in the TV Guide Awards. Know more about William Petersen, who was interviewed by this author through AXN, the action and adventure channel.
Q: So you have been in the Philippines before?
A: Yes, I was there when we shot the movie Kiss the Sky several years ago, and I think the Philippines is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
Q: What made you go into acting?
A: I was very competitive in athletics during college and I have to be put into theater department for my scholarship. Then I had the liking for it, and I wanted to part of the gypsy troupe.
I enjoy working with these people (in theater) and there’s something about them that makes me enjoy work.
Q: What do you think makes Crime Scene Investigation interesting?
A: I think one of the reasons why this show clicked with the audiences is that there is no show like this before. It’s mostly about cops and lawyers (laughs). They felt then that forensic experts aren’t that interesting. But I think that the OJ Simpson case made it more interesting.
It’s a mystery show and people try to solve the puzzle with us. And now, since it will be shown in different parts of the globe, it should have an international flavor to it.
Jerry (Bruckheimer) is very supportive of the show, and that’s a very big help. He’s known for films that are visually stimulating and I think CSI has been successful with that. The show is stylistic in nature. I think he really likes the show, the story, the technical stuff.
Q: What made you want to play Gil Grisson?
A: I got interested in it – people want me to play cop or something. I think they want me to do a role that would portray somebody who’s supposed to bring justice to society. And a forensic expert is one. He’s got tools that the police don’t have. I think it’s the morality factor in Grisson that got my attention.
Grisson by nature is a curious guy, and I think that he sees soul in the aftermath of violence and looks for clues and brings justice to the case.
Q: What do you like most about the character?
A: Oh, that’s pretty easy. He’s a scientist. Now that gives me something to do that I don’t usually do in real life. I like his focused way, the way he pieces his puzzles. I learn a lot from him. Another thing is that we both don’t have a private life (laughs). I like his willingness to teach without being overbearing and not being pretentious.
Q: Isn’t Grisson the 21st Century Sherlock Holmes? What are the similarities between them?
A: In some cases, there are similarities, but I don’t have a Watson, but I think he uses the rest of the cast as Watsons. He (Holmes) was the first sort of character to show deduction reasoning. I would like to think that Grisson would have read Sherlock Holmes novels.
Q: Are there any episodes in the series that has a similarity with your real life?
A: Oh no, (laughs) thank God no. I don’t think so. The only thing that I think we are similar with is how we do things, deal with things.
Q: Was the character based on a real person?
A: Yes, he actually is, and he’s been on the set several times. But let’s not mention his name anymore. The backgrounds of the person and the character are basically the same, and I think they both have a passion for criminology when they were kids. It made him pursue the profession.
Q: Whose idea is the show anyway?
A: Anthony Zeiker. When he came to us with the idea it was like wow. Then we did it. It really piqued my interest. Then it seemed like somehow connected to Manhunter, the movie I did before. Then somehow, it connected with the audience. I never imagined that it would click with the audience. I never thought it would make it to the top five.
Q: How does success feel?
A: I’m extremely pleased. I’ve been here long enough, so I really don’t care about the work. The fun part is the interaction with the crew, cast and writers.
I know I’m more recognized now than ever, more recognized in groceries or planes (laughs) – it’s weird. Different people approach you. When you’re TV, they approach you differently – sort of familiarity – I think that’s because they see you in their living room.
Q: How’s the decision-making in terms of the creative flow?
A: I think that as in any show, it is a collaborative effort between the cast, the writers and the directors who have handled the episodes.
I think one of the qualities worth mentioning is the quality of the character I’m playing. We try to keep the character enigmatic so that he will not mature fast, so if the show progresses we can bring him to new places, explore new avenues.
This is the most collaborative show that I ever did.
Q: Why did you decide to shoot in Vegas?
A: Well, Anthony Zeiker’s from Las Vegas, so that’s one.
Las Vegas is one of the most insane places around, and a lot has changed in the last 20 years or so. It’s the cross section of humanity! And you know what? I think it’s the number one place that ex-convicts to go to look for work.
CSI won the TV Guide Awards, and Marg (Helgenberger) is nominated for the Emmy’s. Weren’t you disappointed (that you were not nominated in any awards derby?)
I’m not disappointed. I’m not really into awards. There’s so many of them and that everybody has one and I heard that CBS will have one of its own for its shows (laughs). I don’t think we should be in competition with each other. Competition belongs in the football field.
Q: Do you have any projects in between?
A: Right now, this is the only thing I do, we shoot for 10 1/2 months so I guess that is a lot of work already. This is my first long-term TV show. I’m afraid of doing something over and over again. I get tired of things easily. It’s the role basically that made me agree. Look, I’m even tired of Hollywood movies – I watch films from Europe.
Q: Do you think that CSI would have been successful five years ago?
A: No, I don’t think so. Nobody would have thought of doing so because they would have no idea how to do it. We have become modern over the years and we became aware of people doing this. It’s like stem cell research.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I talk to you guys (laughter)! I try to watch football as much as I can. And yeah, I have a huge family, no, I don’t have many kids, but I have many cousins (laughs). And oh, I return a lot of calls.