Biography for
William Devane More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

5 September 1939, Albany, New York, USA

Birth Name

William Joseph Devane

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

William Devane, the movie and television actor, was born in Albany, New York, the son of Joseph Devane, who served as Franklin D. Roosevelt's chauffeur when he was Governor of New York. After graduating from New York City's American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he appeared on-stage. He finally made his Broadway debut in "The Watering Place" with Shirley Knight, a flop that lasted but one performance. (He was more successful with "The Chinese and Dr. Fish" during the 1970 season, which lasted three weeks. His sole Broadway directorial effort, the Vietnam War drama "G. R. Point," lasted for 32 performances in 1979 and brought Michael Jeter a 1979 Theatre World Award.)

He made his movie debut as a revolutionary in the independently produced In the Country (1967) and began appearing on series TV. He had a small but memorable part as the lawyer committed to free-enterprise in Robert Altman's masterpiece McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) in 1971, but what made his reputation was his turn as President John F. Kennedy in the The Missiles of October (1974) (TV), a 1973 telefilm about the Cuban Missile Crisis. He made a bid for stardom with major roles in Alfred Hitchcock's Family Plot (1976) and John Schlesinger's Marathon Man (1976) (both 1976) and The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977) (1977), as well as roles in Schlesinger's Yanks (1979) and the TV adaptation of James Jones' classic barracks drama "From Here to Eternity" (1979). However, any chances for a successful movie career essentially were doomed by the monumental failure of Schlesinger's comedy Honky Tonk Freeway (1981), one of the great flops its time, bringing in only $2 million at the box office against a $24 million budget. Devane moved over to nighttime series TV, playing the cad Greg Sumner on the night-time soap opera "Knots Landing" (1979) for 10 years.

Because of his resemblance to President Kennedy and his ability to master a Kennedyesque Boston accent, Devane continues to be in demand as politicians, including presidents, in such shows as "The West Wing" (1999), "24" (2001), and "Stargate SG-1" (1997).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Jon C. Hopwood

Spouse

Eugenie ?

(1961 - present) 2 children

Trivia

Enjoys horseback riding and is an avid polo player and has won many awards for it.

Owns a Restaurant, Devane's, that specializes in New York-Italian cuisine. Originally located in Indio, the restaurant has expanded to offer locations in Rancho Mirage, CA. Additional restaurants in La Quinta and Palm Springs are slated for a 2008 opening.

Has the rare distinction of being in two movies that opened on the same weekend in the U.S.: Hollow Man (2000) and Space Cowboys (2000) (August 6, 2000).

He replaced Roy Thinnes in Alfred Hitchcock's Family Plot (1976) one month into the filming, after the legendary director found out that he was then available because Devane was Hitchcock's first choice for the part. Some long shots in the film are still of Thinnes, but all other footage was re-shot with Devane.

Appeared with Donald Sutherland in Space Cowboys (2000). He later costarred with Donald's son, Kiefer Sutherland, in "24" (2001).

Has played two US cabinet members in his roles: the Secretary of Defense in "24" (2001) and the Secretary of State in "The West Wing" (1999).

As an added irony after playing cabinet members in "The West Wing" (1999), he went on to play the President on "Stargate SG-1" (1997).

Best-known for political roles, largely because of his Kennedyesque looks and mannerisms.

When "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" debuted off-Broadway, at the Mercer Arts Center, as a stage play in 1971, he originated the role of Randall P. McMurphy.

Admits that he only did Poor White Trash (2000) for the money.

Personal Quotes

[on Robert Redford] I can't stand around like Redford. I'm not that narcissistic. Not that photogenic, either.

[on working with Vanessa Redgrave in Yanks (1979)] It's been a terrific experience working with somebody as good as she is. An incredible actress. I'm in there with a really high-powered dame, you know. You cut back and forth and Vanessa is incredible. Incredible! She'd survive with Marlon Brando and no woman ever has, except maybe Eva Marie Saint at the beginning.