---
name: "William Fichtner"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/william-fichtner"
fi1m_id: "william-fichtner"
imdb_id: "nm0001209"
tmdb_id: 886
wikidata_id: "Q220335"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "27 November 1956"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 14
average_fi1m_score: 66
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 14
updated: "2026-10-05T13:18:25.763890+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."
---

# William Fichtner

## Identity

William Fichtner

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/william-fichtner
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** william-fichtner
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001209
- **TMDB ID:** 886
- **Wikidata ID:** Q220335
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Fichtner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220335, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001209/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/886

Actor. Born 27 November 1956 in Mitchell Field Air Force Base, East Meadow, Long Island, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 27 November 1956, Mitchell Field Air Force Base, East Meadow, Long Island, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1995–present
- **Also known as:** Bill Fichtner, William Edward Fichtner
- **Frequently works with:** [Jerry Bruckheimer](https://film.one/person/jerry-bruckheimer.md), [Jodie Foster](https://film.one/person/jodie-foster.md), [Michael Bay](https://film.one/person/michael-bay.md), [Tom Sizemore](https://film.one/person/tom-sizemore.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 66, as actor, over 14 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 73 (4), 2000s 69 (5), 2010s 57 (4), 2020s 57 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 63 across 14 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Action 8, Crime 5, Adventure 4, Science Fiction 4, Thriller 4
- **Screen time:** 27 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,552m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Fichtner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220335, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001209/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/886

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Black Hawk Down*](https://film.one/film/black-hawk-down.md) (73), [*Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*](https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2014.md) (40)
- **Disney+:** [*Prison Break*](https://film.one/tv/prison-break.md) (68)
- **Netflix:** [*Elysium*](https://film.one/film/elysium.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on William Fichtner

> William Fichtner can smile while threatening someone and make both seem sincere. We rate that unnerving directness: he gives supporting parts weight, even when the film has left its leading character with little to offer.

The smile is the thing to watch in *The Underneath* (1995). William Fichtner’s Tommy Dundee seems pleased to be threatening someone, and there is nothing reassuring about his friendliness. We felt a stir of interest when he smiled through a threat, because this otherwise chilly film had given us someone whose next move mattered. Steven Soderbergh gets a forceful performance from him, but the central character remains too empty to hold our attention; Fichtner makes his scenes count without solving that problem.

The move into films in the mid-1990s put that intensity to work in ensembles, including Michael Mann’s *Heat* (1995), in which he played Roger Van Zant. *Armageddon* (1998) and Christopher Nolan’s *The Dark Knight* (2008) followed, the latter giving him a single scene as a bank manager. These parts fit a recurring pattern: men with authority, or men prepared to enforce their wishes. The danger of such casting is that an actor becomes a familiar warning sign before he has spoken.

Kent, the blind astronomer he plays in Robert Zemeckis’s *Contact* (1997), is a useful reminder that his work extends beyond those jobs. That film earns our recommendation through Jodie Foster’s persuasive urgency and the excitement of discovery, though the repeated speeches about science and belief slow it down. We would choose it over *The Underneath* as a film, without making extravagant claims for Fichtner’s contribution. Dundee is the stronger reason to watch an individual actor, but we cannot recommend the whole film as readily.

Television gave him a longer stretch as Alexander Mahone, the FBI agent in *Prison Break* (2005), rather than another brief appearance in a crowded film. The regular role made use of his intensity over time, a sensible development for an actor so often employed to make a quick impression. We would still like more parts that do not arrive with authority or danger already attached. Leading roles alone would not necessarily help; the writing needs to give him more to do than establish who is in charge. Try *The Underneath* for Dundee, but be prepared to care less about the man at its centre.

## Biography

William Fichtner is an American actor. Born on 27 November 1956, he began his career with supporting roles in several 1995 films, including Tommy Dundee in *The Underneath*.

Fichtner is a prolific character actor whose film credits include *Heat* (1995), *Contact* (1997), *Armageddon* (1998), *Black Hawk Down* (2001), *Crash* (2004) and *The Dark Knight* (2008). On television he has played Sheriff Tom Underlay in *Invasion* (2005), Alexander Mahone in *Prison Break* and Adam Janikowski in *Mom*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (14)

- *Lucky* (2026), Fi1m 57, as Wayne Whittaker — [page](https://film.one/tv/lucky.md)
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (2014), Fi1m 40, as Eric Sacks — [page](https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2014.md)
- *The Homesman* (2014), Fi1m 72, as Vester Belknap — [page](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md)
- *Elysium* (2013), Fi1m 60, as John Carlyle — [page](https://film.one/film/elysium.md)
- *The Lone Ranger* (2013), Fi1m 55, as Butch Cavendish — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lone-ranger.md)
- *The Dark Knight* (2008), Fi1m 85, as Bank Manager — [page](https://film.one/film/the-dark-knight.md)
- *Crash* (2005), Fi1m 54, as Flanagan — [page](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md)
- *Prison Break* (2005), Fi1m 68, as Alexander Mahone — [page](https://film.one/tv/prison-break.md)
- *Black Hawk Down* (2001), Fi1m 73, as Sanderson — [page](https://film.one/film/black-hawk-down.md)
- *The Perfect Storm* (2000), Fi1m 63, as David "Sully" Sullivan — [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md)
- *Armageddon* (1998), Fi1m 64, as Willie Sharp — [page](https://film.one/film/armageddon.md)
- *Contact* (1997), Fi1m 76, as Kent — [page](https://film.one/film/contact.md)
- *Heat* (1995), Fi1m 91, as Roger Van Zant — [page](https://film.one/film/heat.md)
- *The Underneath* (1995), Fi1m 62, as Tommy Dundee — [page](https://film.one/film/the-underneath.md)

## Complete filmography (97)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Outer Threat* (2026), as Sam
- *Lucky* (2026), series, as Wayne Whittaker — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/lucky.md)
- *The Plastic Men* (2026), as The Narrator (voice)
- *The Gettysburg Address* (2025), as John G. Nicolay (voice)
- *Talamasca: The Secret Order* (2025), series, as Jasper
- *Cutman* (2025), as Emmerit
- *The Sound* (2025), as Conner
- *French Girl* (2024), as Peter Kinski
- *Hypnotic* (2023), as Dellrayne
- *BEEF* (2023), series, as Troy
- *The Company You Keep* (2023), series, as Leo Nicoletti
- *88* (2023), as Ron Holt
- *Six* (2022), as Davis
- *Joe vs Carole* (2022), series, as Rick Kirkham
- *That Night* (2021), as Narrator
- *The Birthday Cake* (2021), as Uncle Ricardo
- *The Space Between* (2021), as Donny Rumson
- *The Neighbor* (2020), as Mike · Producer
- *Cold Brook* (2019), as Ted Markham · Writer, Director
- *Josie & Jack* (2019), as Raeburn
- *Finding Steve McQueen* (2019), as Enzo Rotella
- *Armed* (2018), as Richard
- *Hot Summer Nights* (2018), as Shep
- *All the Devil's Men* (2018), as Brennan
- *Traffik* (2018), as Mr. Waynewright
- *O.G.* (2018), as Danvers
- *Krystal* (2018), as Dr. Farley
- *12 Strong* (2018), as Colonel Mulholland
- *American Wrestler: The Wizard* (2017), as Coach Plyler
- *Black Holes* (2017), as Youston (voice)
- *Shooter* (2016), series, as O'Brien
- *The War of 1996: A United World News Special* (2016), as General Adams
- *Last Day in LA* (2016), as Narrator (voice)
- *Independence Day: Resurgence* (2016), as General Adams
- *Four Falls of Buffalo* (2015), as Narrator (voice)
- *Empire* (2015), series, as Jameson Henthrop
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (2014), as Eric Sacks — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2014.md)
- *The Homesman* (2014), as Vester Belknap — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md)
- *Hell on Earth* (2014), as Satan
- *Mom* (2013), series, as Adam Janikowski
- *Crossing Lines* (2013), series, as Carl Hickman
- *Elysium* (2013), as John Carlyle — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/elysium.md)
- *The Lone Ranger* (2013), as Butch Cavendish — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lone-ranger.md)
- *Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's* (2013), as Narrator (voice)
- *Phantom* (2013), as Alex
- *Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden* (2012), as Guidry
- *Wrong* (2012), as Master Chang
- *Veep* (2012), series, as Felix Wade — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md)
- *Drive Angry* (2011), as Accountant
- *The Big Bang* (2011), as Poley
- *Date Night* (2010), as DA Frank Crenshaw
- *Prison Break: The Final Break* (2009), as Alex Mahone
- *The Dark Knight* (2008), as Bank Manager — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-dark-knight.md)
- *Blades of Glory* (2007), as Darren MacElroy
- *First Snow* (2006), as Ed Jacomoi
- *The Amateurs* (2006), as Otis
- *Ultraviolet* (2006), as Garth
- *Invasion* (2005), series, as Sheriff Tom Underlay
- *Nine Lives* (2005), as Andrew
- *Prison Break* (2005), series, as Alexander Mahone — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/prison-break.md)
- *The Chumscrubber* (2005), as Mr. Bill Stiffle
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (2005), as Dr. Wexler - Marriage Counselor (voice) (uncredited) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/mr-and-mrs-smith-2005.md)
- *Empire Falls* (2005), series, as Jimmy Minty
- *The Longest Yard* (2005), as Captain Knauer
- *Crash* (2005), as Flanagan — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Harland (voice)
- *Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - The Introduction* (2004), as Rosenberg (voice)
- *Entourage* (2004), series, as Phil Yagoda — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *Equilibrium* (2002), as Jürgen
- *MDs* (2002), series, as Dr. Bruce Kellerman
- *Julie Walking Home* (2002), as Henry
- *Black Hawk Down* (2001), as Sanderson — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/black-hawk-down.md)
- *What's the Worst That Could Happen?* (2001), as Detective Alex Tardio
- *Pearl Harbor* (2001), as Danny's Father
- *Endsville* (2000), as Prince Victor
- *The Perfect Storm* (2000), as David "Sully" Sullivan — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md)
- *Drowning Mona* (2000), as Phil Dearly
- *Passion of Mind* (2000), as Aaron Reilly
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Christopher Mulready — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Go* (1999), as Burke
- *The Settlement* (1999), as Jerry
- *Armageddon* (1998), as Willie Sharp — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/armageddon.md)
- *Switchback* (1997), as Chief Jack McGinnis
- *Contact* (1997), as Kent — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/contact.md)
- *Albino Alligator* (1997), as Law
- *Heat* (1995), as Roger Van Zant — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/heat.md)
- *Reckless* (1995), as Rachel's Father
- *Strange Days* (1995), as Dwayne Engelman
- *Virtuosity* (1995), as Wallace
- *The Underneath* (1995), as Tommy Dundee — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-underneath.md)
- *A Father for Charlie* (1995), as Sheriff
- *Quiz Show* (1994), as Stage Manager — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/quiz-show.md)
- *Grace Under Fire* (1993), series, as Ryan Sparks
- *Malcolm X* (1992), as Cop at Harlem Station — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/malcolm-x.md)
- *Baywatch* (1989), series, as Howard Ganza
- *That's Amore!*, Actor
- *Bosch: Start of Watch*, series, as Calhern

## Gallery

- ![Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Practice (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-e569c9959375.jpg) Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Practice (2012) — Shelby Asistio from Los Angeles, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/2012_Grand_Prix_of_Long_Beach_IMG_5942_%286935722696%29.jpg/1280px-2012_Grand_Prix_of_Long_Beach_IMG_5942_%286935722696%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Left to right: Djimon Hounsou, Stephen Moyer, Frankie Muniz, William Fichtner and Kody Swanson at the Toyota Grand Prix Celebrity Race 2011](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-ca826f608696.jpg) Left to right: Djimon Hounsou, Stephen Moyer, Frankie Muniz, William Fichtner and Kody Swanson at the Toyota Grand Prix Celebrity Race 2011 — Gordon Vasquez, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Djimon_Hounsou%2C_Stephen_Moyer%2C_Frankie_Muniz%2C_William_Fichtner%2C_Toyota_Grand_Prix_Celebrity_Race_2011.jpg/1280px-Djimon_Hounsou%2C_Stephen_Moyer%2C_Frankie_Muniz%2C_William_Fichtner%2C_Toyota_Grand_Prix_Celebrity_Race_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Drive Angry 3D Panel. Actors Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard and William Fichtner at San Diego 2010 Comic-Con International.](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-c5b2229fd49a.jpg) Drive Angry 3D Panel. Actors Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard and William Fichtner at San Diego 2010 Comic-Con International. — ewen and donabel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Drive_Angry_3D_panel_2010_CC.jpg/1280px-Drive_Angry_3D_panel_2010_CC.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Left to right: Djimon Hounsou, Stephen Moyer, unknown, Frankie Muniz, William Fichtner and Kody Swanson at the Toyota Grand Prix Celebrity Race 2011](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-7c70d1783cf9.jpg) Left to right: Djimon Hounsou, Stephen Moyer, unknown, Frankie Muniz, William Fichtner and Kody Swanson at the Toyota Grand Prix Celebrity Race 2011 — Djimon_Hounsou,_Stephen_Moyer,_Frankie_Muniz,_William_Fichtner,_Toyota_Grand_Prix_Celebrity_Race_2011.jpg: Gordon Vasquez
derivative work: Tabercil (talk), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Frankie_Muniz_and_company_Toyota_Grand_Prix_Celebrity_Race_2011.jpg/1280px-Frankie_Muniz_and_company_Toyota_Grand_Prix_Celebrity_Race_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![William Fichtner](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-4fae0d5e4c29.jpg) William Fichtner — Image via TMDB
- ![William Fichtner](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-61e00cd46d4f.jpg) William Fichtner — Image via TMDB
- ![William Fichtner](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-83fea140dd8e.jpg) William Fichtner — Image via TMDB
- ![William Fichtner at the 2011 USA Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-fb4217524e8d.jpg) William Fichtner at the 2011 USA Film Festival. — Vanessa Lua at https://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessalua/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/WilliamFichtnerApr2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![William Fichtner at the 2011 USA Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-7340855584bc.jpg) William Fichtner at the 2011 USA Film Festival. — Vanessa Lua at https://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessalua/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/WilliamFichtnerHSApr2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![William Fichtner](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-8e4c4243d4c1.jpg) William Fichtner — Image via TMDB
- ![William Fichtner](https://film.one/media/person/9915/gallery-99332787e205.jpg) William Fichtner — Image via TMDB

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© 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/william-fichtner