What is William Petersen's current status?

William Petersen, the former star of CSI, is now happily retired and focused on his family and friends in Chicago.

How did Petersen's acting career start?

Petersen's acting career took an unexpected turn when his friend Gary Sinise referred him for a role in the 1985 film To Live and Die in L.A., which launched his successful film and TV career.

What are Petersen's plans for the future?

Petersen has no plans to return to acting, as he is content with the life he has built in Chicago, spending time with his family and close friends.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / CSI Star William Petersen Embraces Quiet Life After Decades in Hollywood

CSI Star William Petersen Embraces Quiet Life After Decades in Hollywood

1 Nov

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Summary

Veteran actor William Petersen happily retired, not actively seeking more work
Focused on family and close friends in Chicago after long Hollywood career
Considers himself "incredibly lucky" for unexpected acting success

CSI Star William Petersen Embraces Quiet Life After Decades in Hollywood

As of November 1, 2025, veteran actor William Petersen, 72, has happily embraced retirement after a long and successful Hollywood career. Petersen, best known for his nine-season stint as Gil Grissom on the hit TV series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, says he has no plans to return to acting, even though his agent hasn't had any work for him in the past 15 years.

Petersen explains that he is now content to spend his time in his hometown of Chicago, where he first launched his career as a theater actor. There, he is focused on his family, including a daughter from his first marriage and teenage twins with his current wife, as well as his close circle of friends. Petersen notes that he is also "kind of monitoring the end of lives around" him as his loved ones grow older.