William Atherton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William Atherton Knight (born July 30, 1947) is an American actor, best known for portraying Richard Thornburg in Die Hard and its sequel and Walter Peck in Ghostbusters.

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Die Hard (1988)

Action-packedFunFast pacedFunny

NYPD cop John McClane's plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her office, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John McTiernan
CAST:  Bruce Willis  •  Alan Rickman  •  Reginald VelJohnson  •  Bonnie Bedelia

NYPD cop John McClane's plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her office, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John McTiernan
CAST:  Bruce Willis  •  Alan Rickman  •  Reginald VelJohnson  •  Bonnie Bedelia

Class of '44 (1973)

Sequel to "Summer of '42" reunites Hermie, Oscy and Benjie as they graduate from high school. Benjie departs shortly to war while Hermie and Oscy go on to college and experience fraternity hazings, cheating on exams, sex scandals and other unsavory college ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Bogart
CAST:  Gary Grimes  •  Jerry Houser  •  Oliver Conant  •  Deborah Winters

Sequel to "Summer of '42" reunites Hermie, Oscy and Benjie as they graduate from high school. Benjie departs shortly to war while Hermie and Oscy go on to college and experience fraternity hazings, cheating on exams, sex scandals and other unsavory college ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Bogart
CAST:  Gary Grimes  •  Jerry Houser  •  Oliver Conant  •  Deborah Winters

Die Hard 2 (1990)

Action-packedFast pacedFunnyThrilling

Off-duty cop John McClane is gripped with a feeling of déjà vu when, on a snowy Christmas Eve in the nation’s capital, terrorists seize a major international airport, holding thousands of holiday travelers hostage. Renegade military commandos led by a murderous ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Renny Harlin
CAST:  Bruce Willis  •  Bonnie Bedelia  •  William Sadler  •  Franco Nero

Off-duty cop John McClane is gripped with a feeling of déjà vu when, on a snowy Christmas Eve in the nation’s capital, terrorists seize a major international airport, holding thousands of holiday travelers hostage. Renegade military commandos led by a murderous ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Renny Harlin
CAST:  Bruce Willis  •  Bonnie Bedelia  •  William Sadler  •  Franco Nero

Ghostbusters (1984)

FunnyBrilliantAction-packedClassic

After losing their academic posts at a prestigious university, a team of parapsychologists goes into business as proton-pack-toting "ghostbusters" who exterminate ghouls, hobgoblins and supernatural pests of all stripes. An ad campaign pays off when a knockout ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ivan Reitman
CAST:  Bill Murray  •  Dan Aykroyd  •  Sigourney Weaver  •  Harold Ramis

After losing their academic posts at a prestigious university, a team of parapsychologists goes into business as proton-pack-toting "ghostbusters" who exterminate ghouls, hobgoblins and supernatural pests of all stripes. An ad campaign pays off when a knockout ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ivan Reitman
CAST:  Bill Murray  •  Dan Aykroyd  •  Sigourney Weaver  •  Harold Ramis

Into the Sun (2005)

After the assassination of Tokyo's Governor by Yakuza members, the CIA bureau chief (William Atherton) for Tokyo puts out a call to an agent (Steven Seagal) that had been raised in Japan and trained by ex-Yakuza. Using his former ties, he quickly determines that a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  mink
CAST:  Steven Seagal  •  Matthew Davis  •  Takao Osawa  •  William Atherton

After the assassination of Tokyo's Governor by Yakuza members, the CIA bureau chief (William Atherton) for Tokyo puts out a call to an agent (Steven Seagal) that had been raised in Japan and trained by ex-Yakuza. Using his former ties, he quickly determines that a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  mink
CAST:  Steven Seagal  •  Matthew Davis  •  Takao Osawa  •  William Atherton

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)

An acclaimed stage performer, Dorothy still struggled with the challenge of her color, in a time that wouldn't let some stars in by the front door. Yet against the odds she beat out many more famous rivals for the role of "Carmen Jones", becoming the first black ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martha Coolidge
CAST:  Halle Berry  •  Brent Spiner  •  Klaus Maria Brandauer  •  Obba Babatundé

An acclaimed stage performer, Dorothy still struggled with the challenge of her color, in a time that wouldn't let some stars in by the front door. Yet against the odds she beat out many more famous rivals for the role of "Carmen Jones", becoming the first black ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martha Coolidge
CAST:  Halle Berry  •  Brent Spiner  •  Klaus Maria Brandauer  •  Obba Babatundé

Race to Space (2001)

In the 1960s a young woman works at NASA as an animal trainer responsible for the chimpanzee who will go into space.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sean McNamara
CAST:  Alex D. Linz  •  William Atherton  •  James Woods  •  Annabeth Gish

In the 1960s a young woman works at NASA as an animal trainer responsible for the chimpanzee who will go into space.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sean McNamara
CAST:  Alex D. Linz  •  William Atherton  •  James Woods  •  Annabeth Gish

Real Genius (1985)

FunnyBrainyAction-packedClever

Chris is the top brain who just wants to party, Mitch is the 15-year-old college wiz kid. Supposedly hard at work on a lab project with a mysterious deadline, they still find time to use their genius to discover new ways to have fun.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martha Coolidge
CAST:  Val Kilmer  •  Gabriel Jarret  •  Michelle Meyrink  •  William Atherton

Chris is the top brain who just wants to party, Mitch is the 15-year-old college wiz kid. Supposedly hard at work on a lab project with a mysterious deadline, they still find time to use their genius to discover new ways to have fun.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Martha Coolidge
CAST:  Val Kilmer  •  Gabriel Jarret  •  Michelle Meyrink  •  William Atherton

The Crow: Salvation (2000)

Action-packedViolentSuspensefulDark

Alex Corvis returns to the world of the living to avenge the murder of his girlfriend, who he was wrongly accused of killing. But first he must uncover the truth about who really killed her.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bharat Nalluri
CAST:  Eric Mabius  •  Kirsten Dunst  •  William Atherton  •  Jodi Lyn O'Keefe

Alex Corvis returns to the world of the living to avenge the murder of his girlfriend, who he was wrongly accused of killing. But first he must uncover the truth about who really killed her.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bharat Nalluri
CAST:  Eric Mabius  •  Kirsten Dunst  •  William Atherton  •  Jodi Lyn O'Keefe

The Hindenburg (1975)

In this highly speculative historical thriller, Colonel Franz Ritter (George C. Scott), a former hero pilot now working for military intelligence, is assigned to the great Hindenburg airship as its chief of security. As he races against the clock to uncover a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Wise
CAST:  George C. Scott  •  Anne Bancroft  •  William Atherton  •  Roy Thinnes

In this highly speculative historical thriller, Colonel Franz Ritter (George C. Scott), a former hero pilot now working for military intelligence, is assigned to the great Hindenburg airship as its chief of security. As he races against the clock to uncover a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Wise
CAST:  George C. Scott  •  Anne Bancroft  •  William Atherton  •  Roy Thinnes

The Last Samurai (2003)

BeautifulEpicDramaticEmotional

Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Zwick
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Ken Watanabe  •  William Atherton  •  Chad Lindberg

Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Zwick
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Ken Watanabe  •  William Atherton  •  Chad Lindberg

The Pelican Brief (1993)

A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alan J. Pakula
CAST:  Julia Roberts  •  Denzel Washington  •  Sam Shepard  •  William Atherton

A law student's theory about the recent deaths of two Supreme Court justices embroils her in a far-reaching web of murder, corruption, and greed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alan J. Pakula
CAST:  Julia Roberts  •  Denzel Washington  •  Sam Shepard  •  William Atherton

The Sugarland Express (1974)

SmartAction-packedEnjoyableInsightful

Married small-time crooks Lou-Jean and Clovis Poplin lose their baby to the state of Texas and resolve to do whatever it takes to get him back. Lou-Jean gets Clovis out of jail, and the two steal their son from his foster home, in addition to taking a highway ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Spielberg
CAST:  Goldie Hawn  •  William Atherton  •  Ben Johnson  •  Louise Latham

Married small-time crooks Lou-Jean and Clovis Poplin lose their baby to the state of Texas and resolve to do whatever it takes to get him back. Lou-Jean gets Clovis out of jail, and the two steal their son from his foster home, in addition to taking a highway ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Spielberg
CAST:  Goldie Hawn  •  William Atherton  •  Ben Johnson  •  Louise Latham

Hoodlum (1997)

In 1934, the second most lucrative business in New York City was running 'the numbers'. When Madam Queen—the powerful woman who runs the scam in Harlem—is arrested, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson takes over the business and must resist an invasion from a merciless mobster.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bill Duke
CAST:  Laurence Fishburne  •  Tim Roth  •  Vanessa Williams  •  Andy García

In 1934, the second most lucrative business in New York City was running 'the numbers'. When Madam Queen—the powerful woman who runs the scam in Harlem—is arrested, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson takes over the business and must resist an invasion from a merciless mobster.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bill Duke
CAST:  Laurence Fishburne  •  Tim Roth  •  Vanessa Williams  •  Andy García

Bio-Dome (1996)

Bud and Doyle are two losers who are doing nothing with their lives. Both of their girlfriends are actively involved in saving the environment, but the two friends couldn't care less about saving the Earth. One day, when a group of scientists begin a mission to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jason Bloom
CAST:  Pauly Shore  •  Stephen Baldwin  •  Joey Lauren Adams  •  Teresa Hill

Bud and Doyle are two losers who are doing nothing with their lives. Both of their girlfriends are actively involved in saving the environment, but the two friends couldn't care less about saving the Earth. One day, when a group of scientists begin a mission to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jason Bloom
CAST:  Pauly Shore  •  Stephen Baldwin  •  Joey Lauren Adams  •  Teresa Hill

Oscar (1991)

Angelo "Snaps" Provolone made his dying father a promise on his deathbed: he would leave the world of crime and become an honest businessman. Despite having no experience in making money in a legal fashion, Snaps sets about to keep his promise.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Landis
CAST:  Sylvester Stallone  •  Ornella Muti  •  Don Ameche  •  Peter Riegert

Angelo "Snaps" Provolone made his dying father a promise on his deathbed: he would leave the world of crime and become an honest businessman. Despite having no experience in making money in a legal fashion, Snaps sets about to keep his promise.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Landis
CAST:  Sylvester Stallone  •  Ornella Muti  •  Don Ameche  •  Peter Riegert

No Mercy (1986)

An unconventional undercover Chicago cop and his partner are recruited to commit the murder of a New Orleans criminal kingpin.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Pearce
CAST:  Richard Gere  •  Kim Basinger  •  Jeroen Krabbé  •  George Dzundza

An unconventional undercover Chicago cop and his partner are recruited to commit the murder of a New Orleans criminal kingpin.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Pearce
CAST:  Richard Gere  •  Kim Basinger  •  Jeroen Krabbé  •  George Dzundza

Who's Your Daddy? (2004)

An adopted Ohio high school senior discovers he is the inherited heir to a porn empire. Dropped into a bitter power struggle, his new flock of beautiful co-workers come to his aid.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andy Fickman
CAST:  Colleen Camp  •  Brandon Davis  •  Kadeem Hardison  •  Christine Lakin

An adopted Ohio high school senior discovers he is the inherited heir to a porn empire. Dropped into a bitter power struggle, his new flock of beautiful co-workers come to his aid.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andy Fickman
CAST:  Colleen Camp  •  Brandon Davis  •  Kadeem Hardison  •  Christine Lakin

Independence (1976)

John Huston directs this film giving relevance and life to the hallowed buildings and ground making up Independence National Historical Park. Through vignettes, the people and events are re-created for the present-day visitor. Featuring Eli Wallach as Benjamin Franklin.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Huston
CAST:  William Atherton  •  John Favorite  •  Pat Hingle  •  Anne Jackson

John Huston directs this film giving relevance and life to the hallowed buildings and ground making up Independence National Historical Park. Through vignettes, the people and events are re-created for the present-day visitor. Featuring Eli Wallach as Benjamin Franklin.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Huston
CAST:  William Atherton  •  John Favorite  •  Pat Hingle  •  Anne Jackson

Burning Down the House (2001)

A down-on-his-luck film director sets fire to his home so he can collect the insurance money and fund his new movie. But crime apparently does pay, because once the rumor mill gets wind of his plans, everyone suddenly wants a slice of his new project's pie.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Philippe Mora
CAST:  John Savage  •  James Wilder  •  Joanne Baron  •  David Keith

A down-on-his-luck film director sets fire to his home so he can collect the insurance money and fund his new movie. But crime apparently does pay, because once the rumor mill gets wind of his plans, everyone suddenly wants a slice of his new project's pie.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Philippe Mora
CAST:  John Savage  •  James Wilder  •  Joanne Baron  •  David Keith
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