William Forsythe
ActingAbout William Forsythe
William Forsythe (born June 7, 1955) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of tough-guy, criminal characters, and has starred in films such as American Me (1992), Raising Arizona (1987), Dick Tracy (1990), Gotti (1996), The Rock (1996), and The Devil's Rejects (2005). He has also played recurring characters in television series such as Boardwalk Empire (2010) and Justified (2010).
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of William Forsythe reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of William Forsythe's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 38% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), William Forsythe remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Once Upon a Time in America, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best William Forsythe Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Forsythe's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of William Forsythe.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Just Breathe | Tony | Average | Similar → |
| 2023 | Open | Capt. Edgar J. Steadman | Average | Similar → |
| 2021 | Ida Red | Lawrence Twilley | Average | Similar → |
| 2021 | God's Not Dead: We The People | Senator Robert Benson | Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | Vault | Buddy Providence | Average | Similar → |
| 2019 | Cold Pursuit | Brock 'Wingman' Coxman | Average | Similar → |
| 2017 | Check Point | The Sheriff | Average | Similar → |
| 2016 | The Midnight Man | Fairbanks | Average | Similar → |
| 2015 | Echoes of War | Randolph McCluskey | Average | Similar → |
| 2012 | Loosies | Captain Tom Edwards | Average | Similar → |
| 2011 | Underground Entertainment: The Movie | Bill | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Slip and Fall | Jerry | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Dear Mr. Gacy | John Wayne Gacy | Average | Similar → |
| 2009 | The Nail | Massimo | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Michael Lives: The Making of Halloween | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Halloween | Ronnie White | Average | Similar → |
| 2007 | 88 Minutes | FBI Special Agent Frank Parks | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | The Devil's Rejects | Sheriff John Quincy Wydel | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | Blue Hill Avenue | Det. Torrance | Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | City by the Sea | Spyder | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo | Det. Chuck Fowler | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Blue Streak | Detective Hardcastle | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | The Pass | Charles Duprey | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | First Time Felon | Sorley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Gotti | Sammy Gravano | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Rock | Special Agent Ernest Paxton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | For Which He Stands | Johnny Rochetti | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Substitute | Hollan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead | Franchise | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | The Immortals | Tim | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Palookaville | Sid Dunleavy | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Virtuosity | William Cochran | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Thriller Zone | Marcus Deerfield (segment "The Final Hour") | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Lives in Hazard | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Willing to Kill: The Texas Cheerleader Story | Terry Harper | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | The Waterdance | Bloss | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | American Me | J.D. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Stone Cold | Ice | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Out for Justice | Richie Madano | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Career Opportunities | Custodian | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Dick Tracy | Flattop | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Torrents of Spring | Prince Ippolito Polozov | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Dead Bang | Arthur Kressler | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Patty Hearst | Teko | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Baja Oklahoma | Tommy Earl Browner | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | Extreme Prejudice | Sgt. Buck Atwater | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | Raising Arizona | Evelle | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Cloak & Dagger | Morris | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Once Upon a Time in America | Philip 'Cockeye' Stein | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | The Miracle of Kathy Miller | Mark | Super Hit | Similar → |
William Forsythe - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of William Forsythe?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring William Forsythe is "Once Upon a Time in America" with a rating of 8.4/10.
How many movies has William Forsythe acted in?
William Forsythe has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by William Forsythe?
Other notable films include "The Miracle of Kathy Miller", "Lives in Hazard", and "American Me".