American actor William Devane is well-known for his roles in theater, television, and motion pictures. His recurring role as James Heller in the well-known American TV series “24” is among his most illustrious accomplishments. The program was a great hit and won two Golden Globes in addition to multiple Emmy Awards. In addition, he became well-known for playing Greg Sumner in the 269 episodes of the American television soap opera “Knots Landing.” Additionally, the American series was broadcast abroad. William Devane has also made numerous cinematic appearances, mostly in supporting roles. He portrayed Clement Samuels in the Oscar-nominated movie “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” in which he appeared in. He also appeared in a significant part in the Oscar-nominated movie “Marathon Man.” He most recently played the President of the United States in Christopher Nolan’s superhero movie “The Dark Knight Rises.” The movie was a box office success. He appeared in a cameo in Christopher Nolan’s monumental science fiction picture “Interstellar.”
Early Childhood & Life
William Joseph Devane was born in Albany, New York on September 5, 1939. Joseph Devane and Kate Devane were his parents. When Franklin D. Roosevelt was the governor of New York, his father served as his chauffier.
Devane completed his studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where he received his diploma in 1962.
Career of William Devane
William Devane participated in numerous productions with the New York Shakespeare Festival after graduating. In the Broadway satire “Macbird,” he played John F. Kennedy, the president of the United States. In 1974’s TV docudrama “The Missiles of October,” for which he received widespread praise, he reprised his role as Kennedy.
He played in the 1975 Emmy-winning TV movie “Fear on Trial” after becoming well-known for his part in “The Missiles of October.” He took on the role of renowned radio host John Henry Faulk. He starred in the television miniseries “From Here to Eternity” in 1979.
During this time, he was also becoming more well-known for his work in movies. His early works include “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” an Oscar-nominated movie from 1971, “Report to the Commissioner,” “Marathon Man,” and “Yanks” (1979). Devane primarily appeared in supporting parts.
After playing Greg Sumner in the American soap opera “Knots Landing,” Devane’s fame soared to new heights. From December 1979 to May 1993, the show was shown. It became one of the longest-running American TV dramas in addition to gaining enormous popularity. The program eventually began airing in additional nations, including the UK, Australia, France, and Israel.
He continued acting, making appearances in films like “Testament” and “Honky Tonky Freeway” (1981). (1983). He played the protagonist in the science fiction television film “Timestalkers” in 1987. The film, which was directed by Michael Schultz, was based on Ray Brown’s book “The Tintype.” Critics largely gave it positive feedback.
He appeared in movies including “Vital Signs” (1990), “Lady in Waiting” (1994), “Exception to the Rule” (1997), “Space Cowboys” (2000), “The Badge” (2002), and “The Least Among You” throughout the following decades (2009). His television work during this time span includes the shows “Early Edition” (which ran from 1997 to 1999) and “Phenom,” both of which ran from 1993 to 1994.
He began as James Heller in the popular American TV series “24” in 2005. Throughout the course of the series, he was seen in 32 different episodes. The program received favorable reviews and won numerous accolades. From 2001 through 2014, it was broadcast.
Red Clover (2012), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Bad Turns Worse (2013), and Interstellar are some of his more recent efforts (2014). He appeared in the TV shows “The Grinder” and “Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise” in 2015.
Major Works of William Devane
One of William Devane’s earliest films was the 1971 American movie “McCabe and Mrs. Miller.” The Robert Altman-directed movie was based on Edmund Naughton’s 1959 novel “McCabe.” Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Michael Murphy, and Anthony Holland were among the actors in the movie. Both a Writers Guild of America Award and a British Academy Film Award nomination were made for the movie.
In the renowned American television series “24,” William Devane had a significant part. The program was centered on the fictional US Counter Terrorist Unit’s efforts to defend the nation against terrorist attacks. The program amassed enormous popularity and numerous accolades. Twenty of the sixty-eight nominations for the Emmy Awards and two of the twelve nominations for the Golden Globe Awards were won by the show. From 2001 through 2014, it was broadcast. The show was also adapted for India, and it debuted in 2013 and 2016.
In the 2012 movie “The Dark Knight Rises,” Devane played the role of the President of the United States. The movie, which Christopher Nolan directed, was based on the well-known vigilante superhero “Batman” from DC Comics. Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Hardy also acted in the movie. With more than $1 billion in revenue, the movie was a major commercial hit. It received numerous honors, including the Golden Trailer Award and the Teen Choice Award.
Recognition & Achievements
William Devane was nominated for a “Golden Globe” for “Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series” for his work in the television show “Knots Landing”
He received two Emmy Award nominations, in 1975 and 1976. His first nomination was for “The Missiles of October,” a docudrama, and his second nomination was for “Fear on Trial,” a television film.
For his performance in the soap opera “Knots Landing,” he received three Soap Opera Digest Awards. In 1989, he received his first honor for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role.” He earned his second and third awards in the category of “Outstanding Lead Actor” in 1990 and 1991, respectively.
He shared the 2009 TV Land Award for his performance in “Knots Landing” with the rest of the ensemble.
Individual Life of William Devane
Eugenie Devane and William Devane got married in 1961. The two sons of the marriage.