The Actor

William Forsythe is one of the most powerful and versatile actors of his generation. With a career spanning decades, he has delivered a wide range of unforgettable performances that defy easy labels or typecasting.

Forsythe’s breakthrough came when the legendary director Sergio Leone cast him in his epic gangster classic Once Upon a Time in America, starring Robert De Niro. That film marked the beginning of a career defined by depth, fearlessness, and conviction.

Among his many standout roles, Forsythe delivered a bone-chilling performance as serial killer John Wayne Gacy in Dear Mr. Gacy, dove in and convincingly played middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta in The Bronx Bull, and brought emotional weight and intensity to his roles in American Me and The Rock. His ability to fully inhabit such drastically different characters is a testament to the raw talent and commitment he brings to each role.

Other memorable performances by William Forsythe include his portrayals of Al Capone in the acclaimed series The Untouchables and his powerful turn as Sammy Gravano in HBO's feature Gotti and his dynamic and driven performance as sheriff John Quincy Wydell in Rob Zombies the Devils Rejects.

With over 150 feature films and television shows to his credit, Forsythe is equally adept at comedy as well as drama. He has left fans in stitches with his comedic performances in Raising Arizona, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Blue Streak, and many others.

Raised in Brooklyn during the 1960s, Forsythe recalls a pivotal moment when a teacher recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue acting. That early belief helped shape a lifelong dedication to the craft.

From gritty dramas to true crime portrayals to historical epics and comedy, Forsythe’s work resonates because it is honest, unflinching, and deeply human. He’s not just playing roles—he disappears into them, making each performance distinct, unforgettable, and entirely his own.

 

William is not only known for his movies, he’s also had recurring rolls on some popular TV shows such as

 

  • Boardwalk empire - Manny Horvitz
  • The Untouchables - Al Capone
  • The man in the high castle - J Edgar Hoover
  • Entourage - Eddie Kapowski
  • The Mob Doctor - Constantine Alexander
  • The Mentalist - Steve Rigsby
  • John Doe - Digger
  • Magnum P.I. - Harry Brown
  • Hawaii Five-O - Harry Brown

 

And not forgetting guest starring on show such as

 

Chips, Hill street blues, T J Hooker, Fame, Cybill, CSI Miami and Chicago Justice.