William Forsythe Biography

Fast Facts

• Was honored by the Vail Film Festival in 2006 for his contributions to film
• Is a 1973 graduate of New York's South Shore High School
• Made his on-stage acting debut at the age of 16
• Quote: "I always try to do the same job, whatever it is I come in and I gave a hundred percent․ I try and do the very best job I can․ Sometimes it works, sometimes the film doesn't but I always try my best․"
• Quote: "(On acting) "I just bring what I bring, which is passion, and I try to make it as real as possible, and still try to keep always a little bit of a sense of humor somewhere in there․""
• Got his big break in Hollywood starring opposite Robert De Niro in the 1984 crime drama "Once Upon a Time in America․"
• Is well-known for his gritty portrayals of roguish, criminal figures, including mobster Al Capone in the TV crime drama "The Untouchables" and serial killer John Wayne Gacy in the 2010 thriller "Dear Mr․ Gacy․"
• As a child, debuted his acting talent as the character Julius Caesar in a school play