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).
William Forsythe Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of William Forsythe reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of William Forsythe's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 52% of William Forsythe's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Long Shot, which stands out as a key performance.
Best William Forsythe Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Forsythe's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie William Forsythe has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Just Breathe | Tony | Average | Similar → |
| 2023 | Open | Capt. Edgar J. Steadman | Average | Similar → |
| 2021 | God's Not Dead: We The People | Senator Robert Benson | Hit | 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 → |
| 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 | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Substitute | Hollan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Peacock Blues | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead | Franchise | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Palookaville | Sid Dunleavy | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Thriller Zone | Marcus Deerfield (segment "The Final Hour") | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Direct Hit | John Hatch | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Lives in Hazard | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Willing to Kill: The Texas Cheerleader Story | Terry Harper | Hit | 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 → |
| 1990 | Dick Tracy: Behind the Badge, Behind the Scenes | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Sons | Mike | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Torrents of Spring | Prince Ippolito Polozov | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Dead Bang | Arthur Kressler | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Baja Oklahoma | Tommy Earl Browner | Hit | 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 → |
| 1978 | Long Shot | Bille | Super Hit | Similar → |
| N/A | Rule of Three | Mitch | 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 "Long Shot" with a rating of 9.0/10.
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 "Peacock Blues", "Lives in Hazard", and "The Miracle of Kathy Miller".