William Devane
Born September 05, 1939 (Age: 86)
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Albany, New York, USA
Biography
William Joseph Devane (born September 5, 1937) is an American film, television and theater actor, known for his role as Greg Sumner on the primetime soap opera Knots Landing and as James Heller on the Fox serial drama 24, the role he reprised in Live Another Day. He is also known for his supporting roles in films such as McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Family Plot), Marathon Man, Rolling Thunder and Space Cowboys. Devane began his acting career with the New York Shakespeare Festival where he performed in 15 plays. In 1966, Devane portrayed Robert F. Kennedy in the Off-Broadway spoof MacBird. He gained acclaim for his role as President John F. Kennedy in a television docudrama about the Cuban Missile Crisis, The Missiles of October, and again when he played blacklisted radio personality John Henry Faulk in the Emmy Award-winning TV movie Fear on Trial. He is widely known for his ten years as the ambitious and hardnosed politician-turned-corporate titan Greg Sumner on Knots Landing. In 1994, Devane appeared as Al Capone in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in an episode entitled "That Old Gang of Mine". He also had a recurring role on the CBS show Early Edition as the lead character's father. Devane appeared in the films McCabe & Mrs. Miller; Lady Liberty; Family Plot; Marathon Man; Rolling Thunder; Yanks; Testament; Timestalkers; Forgotten Sins; Exception to the Rule; Payback; Hollow Man and Space Cowboys. Devane has played members of the Presidential Cabinet on two evening dramas. In 2004, on The West Wing, he guest-starred as the Secretary of State and potential Vice-Presidential nominee. Devane appeared in several scenes with Martin Sheen; they also appeared together as President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert, respectively, 30 years earlier in The Missiles of October. In 2005, he joined the cast of 24 as Secretary of Defense James Heller for seasons 4, 5 and 6.
William Joseph Devane (born September 5, 1937) is an American film, television and theater actor, known for his role as Greg Sumner on the primetime soap opera Knots Landing and as James Heller on the Fox serial drama 24, the role he reprised in Live Another Day. He is also known for his supporting roles in films such as McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Family Plot), Marathon Man, Rolling Thunder and Space Cowboys.
Devane began his acting career with the New York Shakespeare Festival where he performed in 15 plays. In 1966, Devane portrayed Robert F. Kennedy in the Off-Broadway spoof MacBird. He gained acclaim for his role as President John F. Kennedy in a television docudrama about the Cuban Missile Crisis, The Missiles of October, and again when he played blacklisted radio personality John Henry Faulk in the Emmy Award-winning TV movie Fear on Trial. He is widely known for his ten years as the ambitious and hardnosed politician-turned-corporate titan Greg Sumner on Knots Landing.
In 1994, Devane appeared as Al Capone in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in an episode entitled "That Old Gang of Mine". He also had a recurring role on the CBS show Early Edition as the lead character's father. Devane appeared in the films McCabe & Mrs. Miller; Lady Liberty; Family Plot; Marathon Man; Rolling Thunder; Yanks; Testament; Timestalkers; Forgotten Sins; Exception to the Rule; Payback; Hollow Man and Space Cowboys.
Devane has played members of the Presidential Cabinet on two evening dramas. In 2004, on The West Wing, he guest-starred as the Secretary of State and potential Vice-Presidential nominee. Devane appeared in several scenes with Martin Sheen; they also appeared together as President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert, respectively, 30 years earlier in The Missiles of October. In 2005, he joined the cast of 24 as Secretary of Defense James Heller for seasons 4, 5 and 6.
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Filmography
Truth
2015
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as Gen. Hodges (voice) (uncredited)
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Age: 76
Interstellar
2014
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as Williams
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Age: 75
50 to 1
2014
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as Leonard Doc Blach
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Age: 74
The Dark Knight Rises
2012
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as President
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Age: 72
No Image
The Dealership
2009
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as Frank Carson
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Age: 69
Deceit
2004
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as Grove McCarthy
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Age: 64
A Christmas Visitor
2002
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as George Boyajian
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Age: 63
Threat of Exposure
2002
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as Col. Weldon
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Age: 63
The Badge
2002
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as The Judge
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Age: 63
Poor White Trash
2000
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as Ron Lake
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Age: 61
Space Cowboys
2000
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as Eugene Davis
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Age: 60
Hollow Man
2000
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as Dr. Kramer
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Age: 60
The Man Who Used to Be Me
2000
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as Older Sam Ryan
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Age: 60
Payback
1999
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as Carter
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Age: 59
No Image
Doomsday Rock
1997
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as Dr. Karl Sorenson
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Age: 57
The Absolute Truth
1997
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as Sen. Emmett Hunter
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Age: 57
Exception to the Rule
1997
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as Lawrence Kellerman
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Age: 57
Forgotten Sins
1996
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as Dr. Richard Ofshe
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Age: 56
Rubdown
1993
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as Harry Orwitz
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Age: 54
Prophet of Evil: The Ervil LeBaron Story
1993
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as Daniel 'Dan' Fields
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Age: 53
The President's Child
1992
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as Elliot McSwain
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Age: 53
Obsessed
1992
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as Ed Bledsoe
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Age: 53
Nightmare in Columbia County
1991
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as Sheriff Jim Metts
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Age: 52
Murder C.O.D.
1990
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as Alex Brandt
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Age: 51
Vital Signs
1990
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as Dr. Chatham
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Age: 50
Chips, the War Dog
1990
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as Col. Charnley
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Age: 50
The Preppie Murder
1989
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as Jack Litman
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Age: 50
Timestalkers
1987
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as Scott McKenzie
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Age: 47
Testament
1983
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as Tom Wetherly
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Age: 44
The Other Victim
1981
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as Harry Langford
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Age: 42
Red Flag: The Ultimate Game
1981
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as Maj. Phil Clark
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Age: 42
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981
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as Mayor Kirby T. Calo
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Age: 41
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training
1977
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as Mike Leak
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Age: 37
Marathon Man
1976
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as Janeway
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Age: 37
Family Plot
1976
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as Arthur Adamson
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Age: 36
The Missiles of October
1974
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as President John F. Kennedy
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Age: 35
Judgment: The Court Martial of the Tiger of Malaya — General Yamashita
1974
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as
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Age: 34
The Bait
1973
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as Earl Stokey
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Age: 33
Crime Club
1973
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as Kilburn
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Age: 33
The Irish Whiskey Rebellion
1972
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as LT. Ashley
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Age: 32
The 300-Year Weekend
1971
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as Tom
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Age: 31