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William Sanderson

William Sanderson

Actor · Born January 10, 1944 (82) · Memphis, Tennessee, USA

William Sanderson (born January 10, 1944) is an American character actor.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 10, 1944 (82)
From
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
70 on MovieCove · 112 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 29% in 30 days

What are William Sanderson's films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Action11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 86th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 5th percentile
: browse their Horror 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
Survival
24%
Morality
22%
Bonds
19%
Self
14%
Society
12%
Power
7%
Ideas
1%
Survival10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 30 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 21 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 12 · Intense 10

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

Steady 12 · Shifting 15 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 21 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 20 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 19 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 0

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

Easy watch 11 · Affecting 16 · Heavy 3

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

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Mentor
2 of 6
Trickster
2 of 6
Shadow
1 of 6
Hero
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
23
Melancholic
10
Dread
7
Thrilling
7
Warm
6
Other
27

How their films linger

Bittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet18
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5

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 Sanderson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 46 of their 70 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for William Sanderson'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

112 credits, 70 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Pastacolypse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Al Dente Bob (voice)

  • Deadwood: The Movie(2019)

    as E. B. Farnum

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Griddle House(2018)

    as Gus

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • American Gods(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as The Bookkeeper

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • A Merry Friggin' Christmas(2014)

    as Father Juge

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Bar Karma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Mike & Molly(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dennis

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Trauma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Starz Inside: The Face Is Familiar(2009)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Pretty Ugly People(2008)

    as Sam

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • True Blood(2008)

    Show 38 episodes · as Bud Dearborne

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Life(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Holt Easley

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Disappearances(2006)

    as Rat Kinneson

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Treasure of Painted Forest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Paul

  • Beyond the Wall of Sleep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Joe Slaader

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Norbert Mobley

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Lost(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Oldham

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Cyber Wars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Riley

  • Promised Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Clark

  • Deadwood(2004)

    Show 36 episodes · as E. B. Farnum

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Low Budget Time Machine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as The Prospector

  • Gods and Generals(2003)

    as Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Monte Walsh(2003)

    as Skimpy Eagens

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Wally Sykes

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Joshua Skinner

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Monkey Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Bradley Chalmers

  • Smallville(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Brent

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Dying on the Edge(2001)

    as Tommy

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Crossfire Trail(2001)

    as Dewey

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Stanley's Gig (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Stanley Myer

  • Miracle on the Mountain: The Kincaid Family Story(2000)

    as Helicopter Pilot

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Psyko Ferret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Stan Veinous (voice)

  • Stageghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Jack Butler

  • Nice Guys Sleep Alone(1999)

    as Rufus

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Heat(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Maximum Bob (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 5 episodes · as Dicky Crowe

  • Babylon 5: Thirdspace(1998)

    as Deuce

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Dharma & Greg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Mike

  • George & Leo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • George Wallace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as T.Y. Odum

  • George Wallace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as T.Y. Odum

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Simmons

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Forest Warrior(1996)

    as Paul Carpio

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Last Man Standing(1996)

    as Joe Monday

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Pretender(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Roy Abbot

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Jumanji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor J.S. Ibsen (voice)

  • Andersonville (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Munn

  • Andersonville (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Munn

  • Hologram Man(1995)

    as Manny / Giggles

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

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

    as Tully

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

    as Miro

  • Santo Bugito (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Clem (voice)

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Percy

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Wagons East(1994)

    as Zeke

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The Client(1994)

    as Wally Boxx

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Mirror Mirror 2: Raven Dance(1994)

    as Roger

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Babylon 5(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Deuce

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Man's Best Friend(1993)

    as Ray

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Return to Lonesome Dove(1993)

    Show 4 episodes · as Lippy Jones

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Skeeter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Gordon Perry

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward Funsch

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Walker, Texas Ranger(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mayor · as Will Stanton

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Batman: The Animated Series(1992)

    Show 4 episodes · as Karl Rossum (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • The Bob Newhart Show 19th Anniversary Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Larry

  • The Rocketeer(1991)

    as Skeets

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Sometimes They Come Back(1991)

    as Mueller

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Giant of Thunder Mountain(1990)

    as Percey Crow

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Mirror Mirror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Mr. Veze

  • Thunderground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Ratman

  • Deadly Weapon(1989)

    as Reverend Smith

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Coach(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jesse · as Larry

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Lonesome Dove(1989)

    Show 4 episodes · as Lippy Jones

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains(1987)

    as Trump

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Last Man Standing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Casper

  • Married... with Children(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Cousin Eb

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Dead Aim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Brennan

  • Dalton: Code of Vengeance II(1986)

    as Bobby Fuller

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Mickey Sanders

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Black Moon Rising(1986)

    as Tyke Thayden

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Defiant Ones(1986)

    as Mason

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Streets of Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Weasel

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Fletch(1985)

    as Jim Swarthout

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • City Heat(1984)

    as Lonnie Ash

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Imps* (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Carl

  • Women of San Quentin(1983)

    as Countee

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Nightmares(1983)

    as Gas station attendant (segment "Terror in Topanga") (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Cowboy

  • Lone Wolf McQuade(1983)

    as Snow

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • China Lake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Little Germ

  • Who Will Love My Children?(1983)

    as Cleve Shelby

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • It Takes Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Newhart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 120 episodes · as Larry

  • Knight Rider(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as The Rev

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Blade Runner(1982)

    as Sebastian

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Cowboy

  • The Luck of Roaring Camp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Grub

  • Bret Maverick(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Raggedy Man(1981)

    as Calvin

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Death Hunt(1981)

    as Ned Warren

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Scared Straight! Another Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Harlan

  • Seed of Innocence(1980)

    as Randy Webb

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Coal Miner's Daughter(1980)

    as Lee Dollarhide

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Onion Field(1979)

    as Young Con

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Other Side of Victory(1979)

    as Ben Oakley

  • Savage Weekend(1979)

    as Otis

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Blue Nude (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Thanks · as Guy In Jail

  • Fight for Your Life(1977)

    as Jessie Lee Kane

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Battle of the Network Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Quincy, M.E. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Starsky and Hutch(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Weirdo

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 111 titles from 1975 to 2023; peak year 1982.

Biggest box office

Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)

$67M worldwide

Highest rated

Blade Runner (1982)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19752023

Peak 1982 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 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
Acting111 of 111: 110 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score58thOther crew1 of 111: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s8 · 8 acting · 1 crew1980s35 · acting1990s35 · acting2000s26 · acting2010s6 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 28 roles
77828797

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 Sanderson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of the 42 of 43 with a score; across their 30 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 32nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Approval · how many liked their films

30thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Reach · how many have seen their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Midcredits score across 69 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th19
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th18

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 69 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor

Dalton: Code of Vengeance II (1986)

93rd percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Batman: The Animated Series (1992)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 28 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 40. 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 Sanderson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles57–91 · median 77 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles38–65 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles27–74 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles35–72 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles56–78 · median 70 · 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 Sanderson work with?

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

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers