William Sadler

Best known as a Supporting Actor based on credits in that role in 29 films, with $2,342,377,107 worldwide aggregate box office (rank #732)
Best-known acting roles: U.S. President (Iron Man 3), Klaus Detterick (The Green Mile), Col. Stuart (Die Hard 2), Detective Wilson (The Grudge), Father Hagan (The Unholy)
Best-known technical roles: Serenity (Executive Producer)
Most productive collaborators: Shane Black, Robert Downey, Jr., Drew Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Tapert
Born: April 13, 1950 (75 years old)
                                    

  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Acting Credits
  4. Technical Credits

Career Summary


  MoviesDomestic
Box Office		International
Box Office		Worldwide
Box Office
As an ActorSupporting29$1,051,149,699$1,291,227,408$2,342,377,107
Leading5$4,932,915$13,398,105$18,331,020
Lead Ensemble Member4$10,878$0$10,878
(Unclassified)13$97,058,355$2,914,958$99,973,313
In Technical RolesExecutive Producer2$8,547,045$6,121,989$14,669,034

Latest Ranking on Selected Box Office Record Lists


RecordRankAmount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 4,701-4,800) 4,779 $4,943,793
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 954 $1,153,151,847
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 3,901-4,000) 3,999 $13,398,105
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,251 $1,307,540,471
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000) 4,949 $18,341,898
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,086 $2,460,692,318
Top Grossing Executive Producer at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 4,301-4,400) 4,393 $8,547,045
Top Grossing Executive Producer at the International Box Office (Rank 4,501-4,600) 4,517 $6,121,989
Top Grossing Executive Producer at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,701-4,800) 4,746 $14,669,034

See the Acting Credits tab for all Acting Box Office Records and the Technical Credits tab for all Technical Box Office Records.


Featured Blu-ray / DVD Review: Machete Kills

January 17th, 2014

Machete had one of the strangest origins. It began as a fake trailer in Grindhouse, but the fake trailer was so popular they turned it into a real movie. Unfortunately, while that movie earned good reviews, the target audience for Grindhouse cinema is too small to thrive in theaters. It must have done well enough to justify a sequel in someone's mind, albeit a sequel with a greatly reduced production budget being released by a smaller studio. But can the sequel live up to its predecessor? More...

Featured Blu-ray / DVD Review: Iron Man 3

September 23rd, 2013

Iron Man 3 was the first Marvel Comics movie since The Avengers broke records. Expectations for this film rose dramatically as a result of that film's box office success, not to mention its critical acclaim. Can Iron Man 3 live up to these expectations? Or has The Avengers set the bar too high? More...

All Acting Credits



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Release
Date		TitleRoleDomestic
Box Office		International
Box Office		Worldwide
Box Office
Dec 31, 2025The Yeti
Oct 3, 2024Salem’s Lot $849,294$849,294
Feb 10, 2023She Came from the Woods
Apr 2, 2021The Unholy Father Hagan $15,532,137$15,259,887$30,792,024
Aug 28, 2020Bill & Ted Face the Music Grim Reaper $3,439,660$2,815,970$6,255,630
Jun 16, 2020Deadly Crush Sheriff Dusty Haw…
Feb 14, 2020VFW Walter Reed
Jan 3, 2020The Grudge Detective Wilson $21,216,148$28,286,969$49,503,117
Mar 29, 2019The Highwaymen
Oct 7, 2016The Hollow Sheriff Beau McKi… $3,755$3,755
Jun 24, 2016The Duel Governor Ross
Mar 4, 2016Ava’s Possessions Bernard
Oct 2, 2015Freeheld Peter Santucci $546,201$1,186,027$1,732,228
Jul 24, 2015Frank the Bastard Cyrus Gast
Jun 5, 2015Freedom Plimpton $872,757$872,757
Nov 7, 2014The Historian Valerian Hadley $7,123$7,123
Apr 22, 2014The Suspect Sheriff Dixon $12,525,348$12,525,348
Oct 11, 2013Machete Kills Sheriff Doakes $8,008,161$10,264,848$18,273,009
May 3, 2013Greetings from Tim Buc… $11,157$11,157
May 3, 2013Iron Man 3 U.S. President $408,992,272$805,638,684$1,214,630,956
Apr 26, 2013See Girl Run Marty
Mar 1, 2013Future Weather Ed
Aug 7, 2012Jesse Stone: Benefit o… Gino Fish
UnknownSilent But Deadly John Capper
Oct 28, 2011Restitution $2,664$2,664
Sep 26, 2008Eagle Eye William Shaw $101,440,743$79,144,516$180,585,259
Nov 21, 2007August Rush Thomas $31,664,162$32,941,600$64,605,762
Nov 21, 2007The Mist Jim Grondin $25,593,755$31,595,653$57,189,408
Feb 23, 2007Premium Cole Carter
Sep 15, 2006Jimmy and Judy Uncle Rodney
Nov 12, 2004Kinsey Kennneth Braun $10,214,647$7,228,882$17,443,529
Aug 22, 2003The Battle of Shaker H… Abe Ernsweiler $280,351$558,794$839,145
Dec 10, 1999The Green Mile Klaus Detterick $136,801,374$153,900,000$290,701,374
Oct 16, 1998Reach the Rock Quinn $4,960$4,960
Jul 24, 1998Disturbing Behavior Dorian Newberry $17,507,368$1,506,870$19,014,238
Jun 20, 1998Ambushed Jim Natter $5,000$5,000
Oct 10, 1997Rocket Man 'Wild Bill' Overbeck $15,448,043$15,448,043
Aug 23, 1996Solo Colonel Frank Mad… $4,932,915$4,932,915
Aug 16, 1996Tales from the Crypt P… The Mummy $5,601,285$5,601,285
Jan 13, 1995Tales from the Crypt: … Brayker $21,089,146$21,089,146
Sep 23, 1994The Shawshank Redemption Heywood $28,313,053$471,884$28,784,937
Dec 25, 1992Trespass Don Perry $13,747,138$13,747,138
Dec 22, 1991Rush Monroe $7,241,350$7,241,350
Jul 19, 1991Bill & Ted's Bogus Jou… Grim Reaper/Engli… $37,537,675$2,337$37,540,012
Oct 12, 1990The Hot Spot Frank Sutton $1,206,153$1,206,153
Jul 3, 1990Die Hard 2 Col. Stuart $117,323,878$122,490,010$239,813,888
Feb 9, 1990Hard To Kill Senator Vernon Trent $47,381,386$141$47,381,527
Apr 28, 1989K-9 Salesman Don $38,859,189$38,859,189
Apr 17, 1987Project X Dr. Carroll $18,532,286$18,532,286
Apr 11, 1986Off Beat Dickson $4,842,778$4,842,778
Jun 4, 1982Hanky Panky Hotel Clerk $9,823,934$9,823,934
 
Averages $33,916,231$65,377,024$66,505,198
Totals 51 $1,153,151,847$1,307,540,471$2,460,692,318


Leading or Lead Ensemble Roles


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Release
Date		TitleOpening
Weekend		Maximum
Theaters		Domestic
Box Office		Worldwide
Box Office		Domestic
Share
Feb 10, 2023She Came from the Woods
Jun 16, 2020Deadly Crush
Feb 14, 2020VFW
Oct 7, 2016The Hollow $2,84812$3,755$3,755100.0%
Jun 5, 2015Freedom $872,757
Nov 7, 2014The Historian 2$7,123$7,123100.0%
Apr 22, 2014The Suspect $12,525,348
UnknownSilent But Deadly
Aug 23, 1996Solo $2,228,6681,230$4,932,915$4,932,915100.0%
 
Averages $1,115,758415$1,647,931$3,668,380100.0%
Totals 9 $4,943,793$18,341,898


Supporting Roles


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Release
Date		TitleOpening
Weekend		Maximum
Theaters		Domestic
Box Office		Worldwide
Box Office		Domestic
Share
Dec 31, 2025The Yeti
Apr 2, 2021The Unholy $3,153,4562,057$15,532,137$30,792,02450.4%
Aug 28, 2020Bill & Ted Face the Music $1,125,0071,007$3,439,660$6,255,63055.0%
Jan 3, 2020The Grudge $11,404,1132,642$21,216,148$49,503,11742.9%
Mar 29, 2019The Highwaymen
Jun 24, 2016The Duel
Mar 4, 2016Ava’s Possessions
Oct 2, 2015Freeheld $37,983148$546,201$1,732,22831.5%
Jul 24, 2015Frank the Bastard
Oct 11, 2013Machete Kills $3,837,1832,538$8,008,161$18,273,00943.8%
May 3, 2013Iron Man 3 $174,144,5854,253$408,992,272$1,214,630,95633.7%
May 3, 2013Greetings from Tim Buc… 3$11,157$11,157100.0%
Apr 26, 2013See Girl Run
Mar 1, 2013Future Weather
Aug 7, 2012Jesse Stone: Benefit o…
Oct 28, 2011Restitution $1,7791$2,664$2,664100.0%
Sep 26, 2008Eagle Eye $29,150,7213,614$101,440,743$180,585,25956.2%
Nov 21, 2007The Mist $8,931,9732,423$25,593,755$57,189,40844.8%
Nov 21, 2007August Rush $9,421,3692,310$31,664,162$64,605,76249.0%
Nov 12, 2004Kinsey $169,038588$10,214,647$17,443,52958.6%
Dec 10, 1999The Green Mile $18,017,1522,878$136,801,374$290,701,37447.1%
Sep 23, 1994The Shawshank Redemption $727,327972$28,313,053$28,784,93798.4%
Dec 22, 1991Rush $7,241,350$7,241,350100.0%
Jul 19, 1991Bill & Ted's Bogus Jou… $10,241,2681,649$37,537,675$37,540,012100.0%
Oct 12, 1990The Hot Spot $1,206,153$1,206,153100.0%
Jul 3, 1990Die Hard 2 $21,744,6612,507$117,323,878$239,813,88848.9%
Feb 9, 1990Hard To Kill $9,213,6311,508$47,381,386$47,381,527100.0%
Apr 28, 1989K-9 $7,471,0351,706$38,859,189$38,859,189100.0%
Jun 4, 1982Hanky Panky $3,597,2441,238$9,823,934$9,823,934100.0%
 
Averages $17,354,9741,792$50,054,748$111,541,76769.5%
Totals 29 $1,051,149,699$2,342,377,107

Latest Ranking on All Acting Box Office Record Lists


RecordRankAmount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 4,701-4,800) 4,779 $4,943,793
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 601-700) 610 $1,051,149,699
Top Live Action Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 701-800) 717 $1,153,151,847
Top Above the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,901-2,000) 1,974 $246,160,880
Top Below the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 981 $606,454,927
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 954 $1,153,151,847
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 3,901-4,000) 3,999 $13,398,105
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 801-900) 869 $1,291,227,408
Top Live Action Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 938 $1,307,540,471
Top Above the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 2,701-2,800) 2,787 $193,837,108
Top Below the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 801-900) 801 $967,953,593
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,251 $1,307,540,471
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000) 4,949 $18,341,898
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 701-800) 732 $2,342,377,107
Top Live Action Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 801-900) 807 $2,460,692,318
Top Above the Line Stars at the Wordwide Box Office (Rank 2,301-2,400) 2,385 $439,997,988
Top Below the Line Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 801-900) 812 $1,574,408,520
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,086 $2,460,692,318
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 6,801-6,900) 6,846 $10,878
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,515 $4,932,915
Top International Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 2,601-2,700) 2,621 $13,398,105
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 3,501-3,600) 3,539 $13,408,983
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,801-1,900) 1,822 $4,932,915
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 4,201-4,300) 4,289 $4,943,793
Top International Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,380 $13,398,105
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 4,301-4,400) 4,344 $18,341,898
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 6,301-6,400) 6,315 $10,878
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Science Fiction Movies (Rank 801-900) 854 $4,932,915
Top International Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 2,401-2,500) 2,440 $12,525,348
Top International Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,295 $872,757
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,394 $12,536,226
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Science Fiction Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 980 $4,932,915
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 1,801-1,900) 1,880 $872,757
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Action Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,003 $4,932,915
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Drama Movies (Rank 4,101-4,200) 4,116 $7,123
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,522 $3,755
Top International Leading Stars for Drama Movies (Rank 2,201-2,300) 2,249 $872,757
Top International Leading Stars for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 601-700) 610 $12,525,348
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Action Movies (Rank 1,401-1,500) 1,417 $4,932,915
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Drama Movies (Rank 3,001-3,100) 3,079 $879,880
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 701-800) 789 $12,529,103
Top Domestic Leading Stars for PG-13 Movies (Rank 2,201-2,300) 2,207 $4,932,915
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Not Rated Movies (Rank 2,501-2,600) 2,501 $10,878
Top International Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 2,401-2,500) 2,449 $872,757
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for PG-13 Movies (Rank 2,301-2,400) 2,399 $4,932,915
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 3,401-3,500) 3,417 $872,757
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Not Rated Movies (Rank 3,201-3,300) 3,299 $10,878
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 918 $4,932,915
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 959 $4,932,915

All Technical Credits



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Release
Date		TitleRoleDomestic
Box Office		International
Box Office		Worldwide
Box Office
Jan 25, 2019Serenity Executive Producer $8,547,045$4,461,759$13,008,804
Aug 31, 2018Destination Wedding Executive Producer $1,660,230$1,660,230
 
Averages $8,547,045$3,060,995$7,334,517
Totals 2 $8,547,045$6,121,989$14,669,034

Latest Ranking on All Technical Box Office Record Lists


RecordRankAmount
Top Grossing Executive Producer at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 4,301-4,400) 4,393 $8,547,045
Top Grossing Executive Producer at the International Box Office (Rank 4,501-4,600) 4,517 $6,121,989
Top Grossing Executive Producer at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,701-4,800) 4,746 $14,669,034