William Sanderson is a renowned character actor born on January 10, 1944, in Memphis, Tennessee. His mother, an elementary school teacher, and father, a landscape designer, instilled in him a strong foundation. Sanderson served two years in the US Army before attending Southern Methodist University, where he earned both a BBA degree and a JD law degree from Memphis State University.
He then pursued his passion for acting in New York, studying under the guidance of Herbert Berghof and William Hickey. Sanderson began his acting career in off-Broadway stage productions and independent films, showcasing his versatility and range.
Some of his notable performances include his intense portrayal of Jessie Lee Kane in the exploitation feature Fight for Your Life (1977),his gentle and quirky performance as J.F. Sebastian in the science-fiction cult classic Blade Runner (1982),and his numerous roles as loathsome villains.
Sanderson has also appeared in several westerns, comedies, and TV mini-series, including Wagons East (1994),Crossfire Trail (2001),Monte Walsh (2003),Andersonville (1996),Gods and Generals (2003),and Lonesome Dove (1989). He has worked alongside notable actors such as Tommy Lee Jones on several projects.
In addition to his film and television work, Sanderson has had a successful stage career, performing in various productions of plays such as "The Taming of the Shrew," "When Ya Comin' Back, Red Ryder?," "Insect Comedy," and "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Sanderson is married to Sharon Wix and resides in Burbank, California.
