Bill Pullman
Date Of Birth | December 17, 1953 |
Age | 70 years 9 months 19 days |
Day of Birth | Thursday |
Place Of Birth | Hornell, New York, United States |
Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
Professions | Actor , Producer , Director |
Full Name | William James Pullman |
Personal Information | |
Religion | Christianity |
Language | English |
Star Sign | Sagittarius |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Complexion | White |
Trademarks | Hairstyle , deep voice |
Body Features & Measurements | |
Height | 187 CM 6 Feet 2 Inches |
Eye color | Hazel |
Hair color | Brown |
Weight | 86 KG 190 lbs |
Figure Measurements | 43-16-36 |
Family Information | |
Father | James Pullman (physician) |
Mother | Johanna Blaas (nurse) |
Sons | Lewis Pullman (born in 1993) Jack Pullman (born in 1989) |
Wife | Tamara Hurwitz (married in 1987) |
Daughter | Maesa Rae Pullman (born in 1988) |
Grandfather | Albertas Blaas (Maternal) |
Grandmother | Helena Rookus (Maternal) |
Body Build | Slim |
Education Qualifications | |
Education (Graduation) | State University of New York, Oneonta , Masters of Fine Arts, University of Massachusetts Amherst , Theater Arts Major, State University of New York, Delhi, New York |
Education (High School) | Hornell High School (1971) |
Career Information | |
Debut (Movie) | Ruthless People(1986) |
Years Active | 1986- |
Debut (TV) | Cagney & Lacey(1986) |
Favorites, Hobbies, Likes/ Dislikes | |
Hobby | Gardening |
Favorite Foods | Norwegian Lefse French Onion Soup |
Favorite Movies | Babette’s Feast (1987) Lawrence of Arabia(1962) |
Favorite Drink | Gin and tonic |
Social Networks, Web links | |
Official Website | Bill Pullman Official Website |
More Information | |
Friend | Peter Fonda |
Net worth | $18 Million |
Biography
Bill Pullman is an American actor, a Montana State University professor turned actor. He is known for his appearances in Independence Day (1996), Spaceballs (1986), Lost Highway(1997), The Sinner (2017-2021), Your name here (2008), While you were Sleeping(1995) and others.
His recent appearances include playing Alex Murdaugh in Murdaugh Murders: The movie, Harry Ambrose in "The Sinner", David Mahoney in "Halston".
Childhood, Family, Personal Life
William James Pullman was born as William James Pullman on 17th December 1953 in Hornell, New York, United States to Johanna Wilamina Blaas (Mother) (1911–1993) a Medical nurse by profession and James Pullman(Father) (1914–1992) a doctor by profession and the city coroner..
Both his partners worked in medicine, his grandfather workd in medical field as well. [3]
Bill is of Dutch, English, Northern Irish, Scottish (father) descent.
Image: Bill Pullman's parents: Johanna Blaas(Mother) & James Pullman (Father)
He has seven siblings. He is the sixth of the seven, youngest among the brothers. He has 3 brothers and 3 sisters. One of his brothers is an English teacher at the Ithaca High School. Some of the known siblings are:
- Jay Pullman (older brother) (an artist)
- Joe Pullman
Both his parents are dead. His father died in his arms, he wasn't there when his mother died. [3]
He worked summers for a local dairy farmer. At 13 he planted his first Orchard. [4]
Education
- Hornell High School: He graduated from Hornell High School in 1971. He was on the football, wrestling, track and field teams at school. He played Trombone in the school band
- SUNY-Delhi: He graduated with a Theater Arts Major from the State University of New York, Delhi, New York in 1970s. He wanted to major in building construction, he had plans to build barns in the countryside of Western New York. He ended up unintentionally auditioning for "The Bald Soprano", a school play, it got him interested and glued. His college director Bill Campbell suggested that Bill pursue theater major
- State University of New York: He attended the State University of New York in Oneonta in Theater Studies. He left the college in 1975, he didn't finish his studies. He returned to Oneonta as a guest speaker for the class graduating in 1992.
- University of Massachusetts Amherst: He graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1980, with an emphasis in directing, he wanted to become a director. [4]
Marriage
Tamara Hurwitz
Bill Pullman married Tamara Hurwitz a modern dancer on January 3rd 1987, she teaches dance, she has taught at the Alfred University.
Tamara and Bill met at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where Tamara and Bill were cast as husband and wife in Moliere’s "Impromptu at Versailles". He later directed "The Changeling", Tamara Choreographed it.
They have three children together. Two sons and a daughter. A daughter named Maesa (b. 1988) & sons named Jack (b. 1989) & Lewis (born 1993). All three are into music.
Image: Bill Pullman with wife Tamara Hurwitz
Image: Bill Pullman Family: wife Tamara Hurwitz & Children, daughter Maesa, sons Jack & Lewis
His Son Lewis is an actor, who has appeared in series such as "Outer Range" and "Lessons in Chemistry. He has appeared alongside his father in The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017)
Maesa works as a music composer. Some of her works include- "Indigo Valley", "Highway One", "Under the Lantern Lit Sky", "Terror on the Prairie (2022)", "Hobo Code" series among others
Jack has worked in the music department as a musician in some of his sister's works. Also works as an art assistant.
Career
Teaching
Bill Pullman after his education started teaching theater at the State University of New York and Film and Photography at the Montana State University, Bozeman. Inspired by him, his students urged he try acting, thus began his career. Film director John Dahl who cast him in "The Last Seduction" was one of his students at the Montana State University.
He was a co-chairman in the art department at the Montana State University.
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks: Bill was part of a summer theater group called "Montana Shakespeare in the Parks", Bill played romantic leads and comic parts in the group plays. He also directed for the company dramas.
Acting
Soon after moving to New York City, he worked with actress Kathy Bates in the stage production of famous play "Curse of the Starving Class".
Some of his early jobs between auditioning adn stage acting in New York include working as a proof reader, liquor store clerk, bank teller among others
Bill's first movie was Ruthless People(1986), a comedy drama directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker starring Danny DeVito, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, Bette Midler. He played the role of 'Lone Starr'.
Spaceballs (1987), a comic science fiction starring Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman, John Candy, Rick Moranis directed by Mel Brooks gave him the initial popularity.
While You Were Sleeping (1995), a Romantic Comedy starring Sandra Bullock directed by Jon Turteltaub was another big hit of his career. Independence Day(1997) an alien science fiction movie where he played the president of the United States of America is among the biggest successes of his career.
Other popular movies of Bill Pullman are: A League of Their Own (1992), The Lost Highway (1997), Bottle Shock (2008), Phoebe in Wonderland (2009)
Some of the popular TV series he has been part of are- Revelations(2005), Torchwood: Miracle Day(2011), 1600 Penn(2012–13), The Sinner(2017).
Filmography
Movies
Year | Movie | Character | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | The High Note | Max | |
2019 | Dark Waters | Harry Dietzler | |
2019 | The Coldest Game | Joshua Mansky | |
2019 | National Theatre Live: All My Sons | Joe Keller | |
2018 | The Equalizer 2 | Brian Plummer | |
2017 | Battle of the Sexes | Jack Kramer | |
2017 | Trouble | Ben | |
2017 | A Thousand Junkies | Bill Pullman | |
2017 | The Ballad of Lefty Brown | Lefty Brown | |
2017 | Walking Out | Clyde | |
2016 | LBJ | Senator Ralph Yarborough | |
2016 | Brother Nature | Jerry Turley | |
2016 | Independence Day: Resurgence | President Whitmore | |
2015 | American Ultra | Krueger | |
2014 | The Equalizer | Brian Plummer | |
2014 | Cymbeline | Sicilius Leonatus | |
2014 | Red Sky | John Webster | |
2013 | A Fall from Grace | Detective | Short movie |
2013 | May in the Summer | Edward | |
2012 | Lola Versus | Lenny | |
2011 | Innocent | Rusty Sabich | TV Movie |
2011 | Bringing Up Bobby | Kent | |
2011 | Too Big to Fail | Jamie Dimon | TV Movie |
2010 | Nathan vs. Nurture | Arthur | TV Movie |
2010 | Rio Sex Comedy | William | |
2010 | Peacock | Edmund French | |
2010 | The Killer Inside Me | Billy Boy Walker | |
2008 | Your Name Here | William J. Frick | |
2008 | Surveillance | Sam Hallaway | |
2008 | Phoebe in Wonderland | Peter Lichten | |
2008 | Bottle Shock | Jim Barrett | |
2007 | You Kill Me | Dave | |
2007 | Nobel Son | Max Mariner | |
2006 | Scary Movie 4 | Henry Hale | |
2006 | Alien Autopsy | Morgan Banner | |
2005 | The Orphan King | ||
2005 | Dear Wendy | Krugsby | |
2004 | The Grudge | Peter | |
2004 | Tiger Cruise | Cmdr. Gary Dolan | TV Movie |
2003 | Rick | Rick O'Lette | |
2002 | 29 Palms | The Ticket Clerk | |
2002 | Igby Goes Down | Jason | |
2001 | Ignition | Deputy Marshal Conor Gallagher | |
2000 | Lucky Numbers | Det. Pat Lakewood | |
2000 | A Man Is Mostly Water | Parking Fascist | |
2000 | Titan A.E | Korso (voice) | |
2000 | The Guilty | Callum Crane | |
2000 | The Virginian | The Virginian | TV Movie; also as the director |
1999 | Spy Games | Harry Howe/ Ernie Halliday | |
1999 | Brokedown Palace | Hank Greene | |
1999 | Lake Placid | Jack Wells | |
1998 | Zero Effect | Daryl Zero | |
1997 | Merry Christmas, George Bailey | George Bailey | TV Movie |
1997 | The End of Violence | Mike Max | |
1997 | Lost Highway | Fred Madison | |
1996 | Mistrial | Steve Donohue | TV Movie |
1996 | Independence Day | President Thomas J. Whitmore | |
1996 | Mr. Wrong | Whitman Crawford | |
1995 | Casper | Dr. Harvey | |
1995 | While You Were Sleeping | Jack | |
1994 | Wyatt Earp | Ed Masterson | |
1994 | The Favor | Peter Whiting | |
1994 | The Last Seduction | Clay Gregory | |
1993 | Phone | Duke | Short Movie |
1993 | Mr. Jones | Construction Site Foreman | |
1993 | Malice | Andy | |
1993 | Sleepless in Seattle | Walter | |
1993 | Sommersby | Orin | |
1992 | Singles | Dr. Jeffrey Jamison | |
1992 | Crazy in Love | Nick Symonds | TV Movie |
1992 | A League of Their Own | Bob Hinson | |
1992 | Newsies | Bryan Denton | |
1992 | Nervous Ticks | York Daley | |
1991 | Blood Drips Heavily on Newsies Square | Newsreporter | Video |
1991 | Liebestraum | Paul Kessler | |
1991 | Going Under | Biff Banner | |
1990 | Bright Angel | Bob | |
1990 | Sibling Rivalry | Nicholas Meany | |
1990 | Brain Dead | Rex Martin | |
1989 | Cold Feet | Buck | |
1989 | Home Fires Burning | Lt. Henry Tibbetts | TV Movie |
1988 | The Accidental Tourist | Julian Hedge | |
1988 | Rocket Gibraltar | Crow Black | |
1988 | The Serpent and the Rainbow | Dennis Alan | |
1987 | Spaceballs | Lone Starr | |
1986 | Ruthless People | Earl |
TV Series
Year | Series | Character | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Hobo Code | Old Jack | Podcast Series; 1 episode |
2023 | Murdaugh Murders: The Movie | Alex Murdaugh | TV Mini Series; 2 episodes |
2023 | This Fool | Curtis | 1 episode |
2022 | Nature | Narrator (voice) | 1 episode |
2017–2021 | The Sinner | Harry Ambrose | 32 episodes |
2021 | Halston | David Mahoney | TV Mini Series; 3 episodes |
2014 | Ten X Ten | Man 60s | TV Mini Series |
2012–2013 | 1600 Penn | President Dale Gilchrist | 13 episodes |
2011 | Torchwood | Oswald Danes | 8 episodes |
2008 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Kurt Moss | 1 episode |
2005 | Revelations | Dr. Richard Massey | TV Mini Series; 6 episodes |
2001 | Night Visions | Major Ben Darnell |
1 episode "A View Through the Window" also directed the segment & produced it |
2000 | American Masters | Edward Curtis (voice) | 1 episode |
1995 | Fallen Angels | Rich Thurber | 1 episode |
1990 | The Tracey Ullman Show | Sheldon Moss | 1 episode |
1986 | Cagney & Lacey | Dr. Giordano | 1 episode |
Stage/ Theatre
Year | Play | Character | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | The Trail of the Catonsville Nine | Los Angeles | |
2023 | HONOR In Their Words | Los Angeles | |
2022 | Mad House | Daniel | Venue: Ambassadors Theatre, London Production |
Seeking Charlie Russell | Playwright-Solo Performance | ||
2019 | All My Sons | Joe Keller | Venue: Old Vic Theatre |
2016 | The Wild Hunt | Playwright-Director | |
2015 | Othello | Bergen, Norway Den Nationale Scene | |
2015 | The Jacksonian | Fred Weber | Venue: Theatre Three at Theatre Row |
2014 | Sticks and Bones | New York Revival | |
2014 | Healing Wars | Washington DC | |
2012 | The Other Place | Ian | Venue: Samuel J. Friedman Theatre |
2009 | Oleanna | John | Venue: John Golden Theatre |
2007 | Peter and Jerry | Peter | Off-broadway |
2006/ 2007 | Expedition 6 | Baltimore, Maryland; Magic Theater San Francisco | |
2006 | The Subject Was Roses | ||
2002 | The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? | Martin | Venue: John Golden Theatre |
1997 | The Sad Lament of Pecos Bill on the Eve Killing His Wife Killer's Head/Action | Off-Broadway | |
1993 | Control Freaks | Los Angeles MET | |
1989 | Demon Wine | Los Angeles Theater Center | |
1985 | Barrabas | Los Angeles Theater Center | |
1985 | Nanataiwai | Los Angeles Theater Center | |
1985 | The Curse of the Starving Class | New York - Off Broadway | |
1981 | The Rover | Folger Theater Washington, D.C. | |
The Comedy of Errors | as director | ||
The Miser | |||
A Midsummer Night's Dream | as Director & Performer | ||
The Servant of Two Masters | |||
The Two Gentlemen of Verona |
Video Games
Year | Game | Character | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1997 | Independence Day | President Thomas J. Whitmore | |
Interesting Facts
- Bill Pullman is into plays and Dramas, he still performs in them apart from TV & Movie.
- As a child he watched 'The Twilight Zone' and was terrified by it.
- Bill is creative writer as well, he has written many plays. He wrote 'Expedition 6' a science fiction drama which was played in theaters.
- He is the Jury Member at the studio Filmaka, a competition platform that helps find the talents and get them platform to showcase.
- Head injury: At the age of 21 he was involved in an accident which damaged a part of his head related to sense of Smell. He lost his sense of smell. He usually cleans manure at the ranch because of his lack of smell.
- American Football Lover: He is an avid fan of the American football club- Buffalo Bills [1]
- Bill and his brother own a cattle ranch near Whitehall, Montana.
- Bill delivered a speech at the Alfred University's commencement ceremony in 2014. It was titled 'Sense of Place/ Purpose'.
- He entered films at the age of 28 after working for a while as a theater arts teacher.
- He was nominated for Drama Desk Award for the plays 'The Goat or Who is Sylvia', 'Peter and Jerry'
- He was nominated for Helen Hayes Award.
- He turned down the role of Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo(1996), it went to William Macy. Bill considers this one of his professional regrets
- When promoting his movie Independence Day(1996) he was actually mistaken for the president of U.S in South America. [2]
- He compared director David Lynch with his dad.
- He was surrounded by 1000s of girls while in Japan promoting the movie 'While you were sleeping', it was both the most embarrassing and most memorable event for him.
- He initially rejected his role in 'Singles' because he hated plastic surgeons, his father who was a doctor was against those doctors who used medicine to make money instead of using it to save lives.
- Bill has acted in 'Little White Lies' with Ellen DeGeneres.
- Bill loves trees, he has a large orchard in his ranch.
- Philanthropy: He has made financial contribution towards 'St. James Mercy Hospital'
- A retreat according to him would be: walking wearing Hawaiian shirt & sandals.
- His family loves music and has a family band, it excludes Bill :)
- He wakes up very early in the morning.
- People sometimes get Bill Pullman confused with Bill Paxton.
- Casting team felt he would fit the lead role in Spaceballs because of his natural humor.
- His diet: is often loaded with Fruits, Eggs, Vegetables.
- He and his family gift people vegetables and fruits on Christmas.
- His face features at the Steuben County Hall of Fame.
Honorary Doctorates
- The University of Massachusetts at Amherst honored him with a doctorate of fine arts on 24 May 2008.
- Bill was awarded an honorary doctorate in May 2011 by the Alfred University.
- Montana State University awarded him a honorary doctorate in 2018. He had worked there as a professor previously.
Community Man
- He works for the betterment of his local community with the group named 'Concerned Citizens Montana'. They advocated for the need of smart grid for energy transmission among other concerns.
- He loves building and construction, he converted a '3-bay' barn in the western New York State near his hometown of Hornell, New York as a community center [2]
- He is on the board of Cornerstone Theater, it is one of his ways of serving the comunity.
- He also serves as a member on the board of trustees at Alfred University.
- He supports local health services. There is a section at the St James Hospital, Hornell, NY named after him- "The Pullman Women's Health and Birthing Center" [2]
- Bill is an MS Society Ambassador.
- charity Hollywood Orchard: Bil land wife Tamara started 'charity Hollywood Orchard', the charity group grows and gathers fruits to donate to families that are in need
Awards
Year | Award | Work | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2024 |
Nominee Satellite Awards Best Actor in a Miniseries, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television |
Murdaugh Murders: The Movie | |
2022 |
Nominee Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie |
The Sinner | |
2019 |
Nominee Saturn Awards Best Actor on Television |
The Sinner | |
2019 |
Nominee Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series |
The Sinner | |
2018 |
Nominee Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries |
The Sinner | |
2017 |
Winner Woodstock Film Festival Excellence in Acting Award |
||
2016 |
Winner Locarno International Film Festival Excellence Award |
||
2016 |
Winner CinemaCon Award Ensemble of the Universe |
Independence Day: Resurgence | |
2012 |
Nominee Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor on Television |
Torchwood: Miracle Day | |
2008 |
Winner RiverRun International Film Festival Master of Cinema |
||
2008 |
Winner Denver International Film Festival John Cassavetes Award |
||
2008 |
Winner CineVegas International Film Festival Special Jury Prize |
Your Name Here | |
2001 |
Winner Western Heritage Awards Television Feature Film |
The Virginian | |
1997 |
Nominee Online Film & Television Association Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Actor |
Independence Day |
Quotes
- Theater has always been most important to my psyche. It's what I was trained in
- I've been in plays where I think, I want my six months back.
- The thing about acting is it's the one thing that gets me immersed in other things.
- Agriculture is just an adjunct that gives you a quality of life
- My parents were getting older by the time I came along. They were too tired to object to my choice of career
- If I were born in the 1700s, I would look like a rounded man
Sources
- Bill Pullman on wikipedia
- Bill Pullman bio on imdb
- The guardian coverage
- Bill Pullman official website- bio
- Stage credits