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William Atherton

William Atherton

Actor, also producer · Born July 30, 1947 (79) · Orange, Connecticut, USA

William Atherton Knight Jr. (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.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 30, 1947 (79)
From
Orange, Connecticut, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
61 on MovieCove · 86 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26

What are William Atherton's films like?

Across their 39 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 27th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Fantasy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 6th percentile
: browse their Fantasy movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 14th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Thriller2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Thriller movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
27%
Bonds
18%
Society
17%
Self
15%
Survival
13%
Power
7%
Ideas
3%
Justice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 38 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 9 · Dark 20

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 23 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 9 · Charged 11 · Intense 18

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 16 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 24 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 7

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 20 · Relentless 6

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 13 · Engaged 22 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 15 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 10

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 26 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

19 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 9 of 19 analyzed roles.

Shadow
9 of 19
Threshold guardian
4 of 19
Hero
2 of 19
Shapeshifter
2 of 19
Ally
1 of 19
Mentor
1 of 19
Show the 19 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
26
Melancholic
14
Absurd
10
Thrilling
10
Dread
8
Other
33

How their films linger

Bittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet17
  • Tragic5
  • Ambiguous8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch William Atherton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 49 of their 61 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (24).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for William Atherton's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

86 credits, 61 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Where Did the Adults Go?(2025)

    as The Father

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire(2024)

    as Mayor Walter Peck

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Bad Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Clinical(2017)

    as Terry Drummond

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Spielberg(2017)

    as Clovis

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Jinn(2014)

    as Father Westhoff

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The Citizen(2012)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Jersey Shore Shark Attack(2012)

    as Dolan

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie(2012)

    as Earle Swinter

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Workaholics(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Thor Holmvik

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Kane Files: Life of Trial(2010)

    as Daniel Morgan

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Ari Weiss

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Childrens Hospital(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Levon Bainter

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Ghouls(2008)

    as Stefan

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Black Crescent Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Jo Dexton

  • Aces 'N' Eights(2008)

    as Howard

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Life(2007)

    Show 8 episodes · as Mickey Rayborn

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Girl Next Door(2007)

    as Adult David Moran

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Kush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as King

  • Towards Darkness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as John

  • Into the Sun(2005)

    as Agent Block

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Headspace(2005)

    Co-Producer · as Dr. Ira Gold

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Numb3rs(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Warren Pierce

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Gone But Not Forgotten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Sen. Ray Colby

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as A.D.A. Howard Zale

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Desperate Housewives(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Barr

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Lost(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Donald Reynolds

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Who's Your Daddy?(2002)

    as Duncan Mack

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Last Samurai(2003)

    as Winchester Rep

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Commander Nathan Whitaker

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Justice League(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Destiny / John Dee (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Race to Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Ralph Stanton

  • Night Visions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as William Price (segment "Hate Puppet")

  • Burning Down the House(2001)

    as Arthur Kranston

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bread and Roses(2000)

    as Party Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Crow: Salvation(2000)

    as Nathan Randall

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Stranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Ned Bogden

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Introducing Dorothy Dandridge(1999)

    as Darryl Zanuck

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Michael Kael vs. the World News Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as James Denit

  • Mad City(1997)

    as Dohlen

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Executive Power(1997)

    as President Fields

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Hoodlum(1997)

    as Thomas E. Dewey

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Stargate SG-1(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Emissary Varta

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 3 episodes · as Keith Pratt

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Raven Hawk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Philip Thorne

  • Nash Bridges(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Linus Mills

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Bio-Dome(1996)

    as Dr. Noah Faulkner

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Broken Trust(1995)

    as Neil Roemer

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Virus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Dr. Reginald Holloway

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Franklin Murdoch

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Frank & Jesse(1994)

    as Allan Pinkerton

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Saints and Sinners(1994)

    as Terence

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Pelican Brief(1993)

    as Bob Gminski

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • HBO First Look (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Chrome Soldiers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Sheriff Blackwell

  • Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder(1992)

    as Eric Walker

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Oscar(1991)

    as Overton

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Grim Prairie Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Arthur

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Dan Jensen · as Don Snyder

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Die Hard 2(1990)

    as Richard Thornberg

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Buried Alive(1990)

    as Cort van Owen

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Max Monroe: Loose Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Sloane

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Malcolm Mayflower

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Intrigue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Doggett

  • Die Hard(1988)

    as Richard Thornburg

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Martin 'Alpha' Loeber

  • No Mercy(1986)

    as Allan Deveneux

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • A Fight for Jenny(1986)

    as Michael Rosen

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as (segment "The Card") · as Brian Wolfe (segment "Night of the Meek")

  • The Equalizer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gideon · as Martin 'Alpha' Loeber

  • Real Genius(1985)

    as Professor Hathaway

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Andy Henley · as Greg Dalton · as Larry Holleran

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Ghostbusters(1984)

    as Walter Peck

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Malibu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Stan Harvey

  • Tomorrow's Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Jim Spence

  • The House of Mirth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Lawrence Selden

  • Centennial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 12 episodes · as Jim Lloyd

  • Looking for Mr. Goodbar(1977)

    as James

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Independence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Benjamin Rush

  • The Hindenburg(1975)

    as Boerth

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Day of the Locust(1975)

    as Tod Hackett

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Sugarland Express(1974)

    as Clovis Poplin

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Class of '44(1973)

    as Fraternity President

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The New Centurions(1972)

    as Johnson

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Midnight Men: A John Schlesinger and Michael Childers Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 85 titles, 84 of them dated from 1972 to 2025; peak year 1989.

Biggest box office

Ghostbusters (1984)

$297M worldwide

Highest rated

Die Hard (1988)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Life (2007)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19722025

Peak 1989 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 9 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting85 of 85: 84 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thProducing1 of 85: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s8 · acting1980s14 · acting1990s27 · acting2000s25 · 25 acting · 1 crew2010s8 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 34 roles
7282920212

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do William Atherton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 43; across their 38 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Midcredits score across 61 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up27
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 61 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved13
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser24
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

Where Did the Adults Go? (2025)

88th percentile spread · 17% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Die Hard (1988)

Midcredits 99th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 35 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is William Atherton's work okay for kids?

Across up to 19 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore14 titles31–89 · median 73 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity19 titles25–67 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity14 titles35–90 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs12 titles27–75 · median 50 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense10 titles17–87 · median 60 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does William Atherton work with?

People who share at least 2 of William Atherton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Dan Aykroyd shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles