Biography
Who is William Sanderson?
Background and education
William Sanderson was born in Memphis, Tennessee. His parents included a scene designer father and an elementary school teacher mother. He attended Central High School in his hometown before pursuing further education.
After finishing high school, William joined the United States Army in 1962 at age 18. Upon completing his military service, he attended college using the G.I. Bill. He first studied at Southern Methodist University for one year. Later, he transferred to the University of Memphis, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1968 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1971. Although he completed law school at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, he did not sit for the bar examination. In the early 1970s, he worked as a bartender while also pursuing acting opportunities.
Acting career highlights
William gained significant attention for his work in the 1982 science fiction film Blade Runner, where he portrayed the inventor J. F. Sebastian. Before this, he appeared in the 1977 thriller Fight for Your Life. His television career included a memorable role as Larry on the series Newhart, which aired from 1982 until 1990. Viewers often remember him for the catchphrase involving his brothers Darryl and Darryl.
Throughout his career, William appeared in many other well-known projects. He played the diner mechanic in The Rocketeer and voiced Dr. Karl Rossum for Batman: The Animated Series. His television guest credits include shows such as The X-Files, Knight Rider, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Married... With Children. In 2001, he played a bartender in the television film Crossfire Trail. He also performed in an audio adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin's Vaster than Empires and More Slow for the NPR 2000X series.
Retirement and recent projects
In May 2019, William published an autobiography titled Yes, I'm That Guy: The Rough-and-Tumble Life of a Character Actor. Following the book release, he collaborated with Nick Katsouros on a six-episode podcast called Sanderson Says to discuss his life and career experiences. He officially announced his retirement from acting on May 13, 2020.
Personal life
William Sanderson lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with his wife. He has one son named Andrew Sanderson. He is also a grandfather to William and Jaxon Sanderson, who reside in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Birthday and age
William Sanderson was born on January 10, 1944, which makes William 82 years old today. That birthday falls under the Capricorn sign. William shares the date with 24 other famous people.
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