William Devane
🔥 TrendingWilliam 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
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Facts about William Devane
Did you know that William Devane's strong, authoritative presence has led him to be cast as a U.S. President in multiple projects, including "24: Live Another Day" and "The West Wing"?
- He served in the United States Air Force before pursuing his acting career.
- He was initially cast as Randle McMurphy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" before Jack Nicholson took the role.
- He co-owned a cigar company, "Devane Cigars," reflecting his personal interest in cigars.
- He frequently portrayed high-ranking political or military figures, including three different US Presidents.
- He made his Broadway debut in 1969 in "The Watering Place" after extensive work in off-Broadway theater.
His defining television role as the charmingly ruthless Greg Sumner on the primetime soap opera "Knots Landing" made him a household name, showcasing his versatility over many seasons. Later, his impactful recurring role as James Heller in "24," which evolved into President Heller in "Live Another Day," solidified his status as a go-to actor for powerful, authoritative figures.
William Devane is remembered as a prolific and dependable character actor with a distinctive gravitas, often cast in commanding roles that spanned decades in both film and television, leaving an enduring mark on American screen entertainment.