--- name: "Bill Pullman" canonical: "https://film.one/person/bill-pullman" fi1m_id: "bill-pullman" imdb_id: "nm0000597" tmdb_id: 8984 wikidata_id: "Q315763" roles: ["Actor"] born: "17 December 1953" reviewed_on_fi1m: 12 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 12 updated: "2026-10-04T23:15:04.646830+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Bill Pullman ## Identity Bill Pullman - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/bill-pullman - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** bill-pullman - **IMDb ID:** nm0000597 - **TMDB ID:** 8984 - **Wikidata ID:** Q315763 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Pullman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q315763, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000597/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8984 Actor. Born 17 December 1953 in Hornell, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 17 December 1953, Hornell, New York, USA - **Active:** 1986–present - **Also known as:** William Pullman, William James Pullman - **Frequently works with:** [Bridget Fonda](https://film.one/person/bridget-fonda.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 12 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 78 (2), 1990s 75 (8), 2000s 73 (1), 2020s 73 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 70 across 11 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 3 of 10 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 8, Comedy 6, Romance 6, Mystery 3, Thriller 3, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2 - **Screen time:** 19 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,632m across 10 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Pullman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q315763, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000597/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8984 ## Coming up - *Spaceballs: The New One* (2027-04-22), as Lone Starr ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Last Seduction*](https://film.one/film/the-last-seduction.md) (81), [*Ruthless People*](https://film.one/film/ruthless-people.md) (77), [*Sommersby*](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md) (63) - **The Roku Channel:** [*The Accidental Tourist*](https://film.one/film/the-accidental-tourist.md) (78), [*Singles*](https://film.one/film/singles.md) (74) - **Disney+:** [*Independence Day*](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md) (75), [*While You Were Sleeping*](https://film.one/film/while-you-were-sleeping.md) (74) - **Netflix:** [*Sleepless in Seattle*](https://film.one/film/sleepless-in-seattle.md) (78) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Bill Pullman > Bill Pullman makes apparently ordinary men worth watching, particularly when their composure comes under strain. We rate his ability to take a foolish film seriously, though the reliable suitor roles have sometimes asked too little of him. With aliens invading in *Independence Day* (1996), Bill Pullman behaves as though being president remains a job worth doing properly. His Thomas J. Whitmore gives Roland Emmerich’s film someone who takes the emergency seriously while the audience enjoys the destruction. We warmed to him because that earnestness gives us a person to care about in a screenplay mostly supplying types. Pullman is useful here precisely because he does not treat the material as beneath him. *Spaceballs* (1987) gave him an early lead as Lone Starr for Mel Brooks, before the romantic comedies made his dependability familiar. His Walter in *Sleepless in Seattle* (1993) belongs to the run of reliable suitors that helped fix an unduly narrow idea of what he could do. There is a drawback to such casting: an actor employed to seem ordinary can end up being overlooked. We would not mistake that familiarity for a lack of ability, but those parts can leave too much of the work to his basic likeability. In *Independence Day*, the contrast with Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum matters. Smith’s Captain Steven Hiller supplies ease, while Goldblum makes David Levinson individual enough for us to forgive some of the dialogue. Pullman has the less immediately rewarding job, since solemnity is difficult to sell in a film this cheerfully foolish. He helps keep the ensemble worth following, but he cannot give Whitmore depth the script has not supplied. The cast earns the film a good deal of patience from us. David Lynch makes a different use of that conventional appearance in *Lost Highway* (1997), casting Pullman as Fred Madison and finding something darker beneath it. The possibility of rage makes the familiar face unsettling, and this is the turn in his work that interests us most. Later, his Detective Harry Ambrose in *The Sinner* (2017–2021) gives him sustained work at the centre of a television drama. Start with *Independence Day* for the steadiness, then try *Lost Highway* before deciding that steadiness is all he offers. ## Biography Bill Pullman is an American actor. Born in Hornell, New York, he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He served as an adjunct professor at Montana State University before beginning his professional acting career. Pullman made his film debut in *Ruthless People* (1986). He appeared as Walter in *Sleepless in Seattle* (1993) and as President Thomas J. Whitmore in *Independence Day* (1996). Other film roles include *Spaceballs* (1987), *Casper* (1995), *While You Were Sleeping* (1995) and *Lost Highway* (1997). He has also worked in television, with regular roles in *1600 Penn* (2012–13) and *The Sinner* (2017–2021). Pullman maintains a stage career and has appeared on Broadway, including in Edward Albee's *The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?* (2002). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, ew.com.* ## On Fi1m (12) - *The Boroughs* (2026), Fi1m 73, as Jack Willard — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-boroughs.md) - *Torchwood* (2006), Fi1m 73, as Oswald Danes — [page](https://film.one/tv/torchwood.md) - *Lost Highway* (1997), Fi1m 78, as Fred Madison — [page](https://film.one/film/lost-highway.md) - *Independence Day* (1996), Fi1m 75, as President Thomas J. Whitmore — [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md) - *While You Were Sleeping* (1995), Fi1m 74, as Jack Callaghan — [page](https://film.one/film/while-you-were-sleeping.md) - *The Last Seduction* (1994), Fi1m 81, as Clay Gregory — [page](https://film.one/film/the-last-seduction.md) - *Sleepless in Seattle* (1993), Fi1m 78, as Walter — [page](https://film.one/film/sleepless-in-seattle.md) - *Sommersby* (1993), Fi1m 63, as Orin Meecham — [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md) - *A League of Their Own* (1992), Fi1m 80, as Bob Hinson — [page](https://film.one/film/a-league-of-their-own.md) - *Singles* (1992), Fi1m 74, as Dr. Jeffrey Jamison — [page](https://film.one/film/singles.md) - *The Accidental Tourist* (1988), Fi1m 78, as Julian Hedge — [page](https://film.one/film/the-accidental-tourist.md) - *Ruthless People* (1986), Fi1m 77, as Earl James Mott — [page](https://film.one/film/ruthless-people.md) ## Complete filmography (110) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Spaceballs: The New One* (2027), as Lone Starr - *Everybody Digs Bill Evans* (2026), as Harry - *The Basics of Philosophy* (2026), as Melvyn Jorrisen - *The Boroughs* (2026), series, as Jack Willard — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-boroughs.md) - *Killing Faith* (2025), as Ross - *Murdaugh Murders: The Movie* (2023), series, as Alex Murdaugh - *This Fool* (2022), series, as Curtis - *American Horses* (2022), as Narrator (voice) - *Halston* (2021), series, as David Mahoney - *Charlie Russell's Old West* (2020), as Charles M. Russell - *Yellowstone* (2020), as (voice) - *The High Note* (2020), as Max - *Dark Waters* (2019), as Harry Dietzler - *The Coldest Game* (2019), as Joshua Mansky - *National Theatre Live: All My Sons* (2019), as Joe Keller - *Epic Yellowstone* (2019), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Trouble* (2018), as Ben - *The Equalizer 2* (2018), as Brian Plummer - *The Ballad of Lefty Brown* (2017), as Lefty Brown - *LBJ* (2017), as Ralph Yarborough - *Battle of the Sexes* (2017), as Jack Kramer - *The Sinner* (2017), series, as Harry Ambrose - *A Thousand Junkies* (2017), as Bill Pullman - *Walking Out* (2017), as Clyde - *The War of 1996: A United World News Special* (2016), as President Whitmore - *Brother Nature* (2016), as Jerry Turley - *Independence Day: Resurgence* (2016), as President Whitmore - *American Ultra* (2015), as Krueger - *The Equalizer* (2014), as Brian Plummer - *Cymbeline* (2014), as Sicilius Leonatus - *May in the Summer* (2014), as Edward - *Red Sky* (2014), as John Webster - *1600 Penn* (2012), series, as President Dale Gilchrist - *The Fruit Hunters* (2012), as Narrator (voice) - *Lola Versus* (2012), as Lenny - *Innocent* (2011), as Rusty Sabich - *Too Big to Fail* (2011), as Jamie Dimon - *Bringing Up Bobby* (2011), as Kent - *Rio Sex Comedy* (2010), as William - *Peacock* (2010), as Edmund French - *The Killer Inside Me* (2010), as Billy Boy Walker - *The Cove* (2009), Thanks - *Bottle Shock* (2008), as Jim Barrett - *Your Name Here* (2008), as William J. Frick - *Surveillance* (2008), as Sam Hallaway - *Phoebe in Wonderland* (2008), as Peter Lichten - *Nobel Son* (2007), as Max Mariner - *You Kill Me* (2007), as Dave - *Torchwood* (2006), series, as Oswald Danes — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/torchwood.md) - *Scary Movie 4* (2006), as Henry Hale - *Alien Autopsy* (2006), as Morgan Banner - *Revelations* (2005), series, as Dr. Richard Massey - *Dear Wendy* (2005), as Krugsby - *The Grudge* (2004), as Peter Kirk - *Tiger Cruise* (2004), as Gary Dolan - *Rick* (2003), as Rick O'Lette - *Igby Goes Down* (2002), as Jason - *29 Palms* (2002), as The Ticket Clerk - *Ignition* (2002), as Conor Gallagher - *Night Visions* (2001), series, as Major Ben Darnell (segment "A View Through the Window") · Director - *Lucky Numbers* (2000), as Detective Pat Lakewood - *A Man Is Mostly Water* (2000), as Parking Fascist - *Titan A.E.* (2000), as Korso (voice) - *The Guilty* (2000), as Callum Crane - *Opening the Tombs of the Golden Mummies: Live* (2000), Actor - *The Virginian* (2000), as The Virginian · Director - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Kurt Moss - *Spy Games* (1999), as Harry Howe / Ernie Halliday - *Brokedown Palace* (1999), as Hank Greene - *Lake Placid* (1999), as Jack Wells - *Zero Effect* (1998), as Daryl Zero - *Merry Christmas, George Bailey* (1997), as George Bailey - *The End of Violence* (1997), as Mike - *Lost Highway* (1997), as Fred Madison — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/lost-highway.md) - *Mistrial* (1996), as Steve Donohue - *Independence Day* (1996), as President Thomas J. Whitmore — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md) - *Mr. Wrong* (1996), as Whitman Crawford - *Casper* (1995), as Dr. Harvey - *While You Were Sleeping* (1995), as Jack Callaghan — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/while-you-were-sleeping.md) - *Wyatt Earp* (1994), as Ed Masterson - *The Last Seduction* (1994), as Clay Gregory — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-last-seduction.md) - *The Favor* (1994), as Peter - *Mr. Jones* (1993), as Construction Site Foreman (uncredited) - *Malice* (1993), as Andy Sarafian - *Fallen Angels* (1993), series, as Rich Thurber — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/fallen-angels-1993.md) - *Sleepless in Seattle* (1993), as Walter — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/sleepless-in-seattle.md) - *Sommersby* (1993), as Orin Meecham — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md) - *Singles* (1992), as Dr. Jeffrey Jamison — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/singles.md) - *Crazy in Love* (1992), as Nick Symonds - *A League of Their Own* (1992), as Bob Hinson — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/a-league-of-their-own.md) - *Phone* (1992), as Duke - *Newsies* (1992), as Bryan Denton - *Nervous Ticks* (1992), as York Daley - *Liebestraum* (1991), as Paul Kessler - *Going Under* (1991), as Biff Banner - *Bright Angel* (1990), as Bob - *Sibling Rivalry* (1990), as Nicholas Meany - *Brain Dead* (1990), as Dr. Rex Martin - *Cold Feet* (1989), as Buck - *Home Fires Burning* (1989), as Lt. Henry Tibbettes - *The Accidental Tourist* (1988), as Julian Hedge — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-accidental-tourist.md) - *Rocket Gibraltar* (1988), as Crow Black - *The Serpent and the Rainbow* (1988), as Dennis Alan - *Spaceballs* (1987), as Lone Starr - *Ruthless People* (1986), as Earl James Mott — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/ruthless-people.md) - *Nature* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, Actor — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md) - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Henry Tibbetts - *A Bridge Between*, as Bobby Verdun - *Famous*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Bill Pullman](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-9e459cf71fb7.jpg) Bill Pullman — Elena Ternovaja, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Bill_Pullmann_at_Berlinale_2026-2.jpg/1280px-Bill_Pullmann_at_Berlinale_2026-2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![cast at 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy for the film THE BASICS OF PHILOSOPHY . (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-a17a0bf0a3ae.jpg) cast at 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy for the film THE BASICS OF PHILOSOPHY . (2026) — LucaFazPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Bill_Pullman%2C_Daniel_Zovatto%2C_Dana_Delany%2C_David_M._Wulf%2C_Braxton_Pope%2C_Paul_Schrader%2C_Sofia_Boutella%2C_Jack_Huston_at_the_83rd_Venice_FILM_festival-1.jpg/1280px-Bill_Pullman%2C_Daniel_Zovatto%2C_Dana_Delany%2C_David_M._Wulf%2C_Braxton_Pope%2C_Paul_Schrader%2C_Sofia_Boutella%2C_Jack_Huston_at_the_83rd_Venice_FILM_festival-1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bill Pullman in The Fruit Hunters (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-4863faac0ddd.jpg) Bill Pullman in The Fruit Hunters (2011) — Eye Steel Film from Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Bill_Pullman_-_The_Fruit_Hunters_-_Eye_Steel_Film.jpg/1280px-Bill_Pullman_-_The_Fruit_Hunters_-_Eye_Steel_Film.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bill Pullman in The Fruit Hunters (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-3aced2887a5e.jpg) Bill Pullman in The Fruit Hunters (2011) — Eye Steel Film from Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Bill_Pullman_-_The_Fruit_Hunters_-_Eye_Steel_Film_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Bill_Pullman_-_The_Fruit_Hunters_-_Eye_Steel_Film_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bill Pullman](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-1b552e53f567.jpg) Bill Pullman — Image via TMDB - ![Bill Pullman](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-1775e869555b.jpg) Bill Pullman — Image via TMDB - ![Bill Pullman](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-cf56bc50f37a.jpg) Bill Pullman — Image via TMDB - ![bill pullman, actor, at 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy for the film THE BASICS OF PHILOSOPHY . (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-4f570965ca63.jpg) bill pullman, actor, at 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy for the film THE BASICS OF PHILOSOPHY . (2026) — LucaFazPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Bill_Pullman_at_the_83rd_Venice_FILM_festival-8.jpg/1280px-Bill_Pullman_at_the_83rd_Venice_FILM_festival-8.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![bill pullman, actor, at 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy for the film THE BASICS OF PHILOSOPHY . (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-deb7177849f2.jpg) bill pullman, actor, at 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy for the film THE BASICS OF PHILOSOPHY . (2026) — LucaFazPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Bill_Pullman_at_the_83rd_Venice_FILM_festival-9.jpg/1280px-Bill_Pullman_at_the_83rd_Venice_FILM_festival-9.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bill Pullman](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-23485a796f14.jpg) Bill Pullman — Image via TMDB - ![Bill Pullman](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-53d7bd06b98d.jpg) Bill Pullman — Image via TMDB - ![Bill Pullman](https://film.one/media/person/83199/gallery-26354b4947b5.jpg) Bill Pullman — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/bill-pullman