Attended the renowned Steppenwolf Company.

Calls Long Gone (1987) (TV) the most fun he ever had making a movie. He made it instead of appearing in Platoon (1986).

Started at Idaho State University on a football scholarship, where he found acting.

Was 33 years old when Manhunter (1986) was released. When the film's remake, Red Dragon (2002) was released, his Will Graham successor, Edward Norton, was also 33 years old.

Turned down a major part in Michael Mann's Heat (1995).

Because his role in Manhunter (1986) was so emotionally exhausting, he did everything he could to rid himself of the Will Graham character after filming had been completed. This included cutting his hair and dyeing it blonde, and shaving off his beard.

Has performed at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago.

Daughter named Maite, born in 1975.

Was offered a role in Platoon (1986), but turned it down because it was a low paying job and the prospect of going to the Phillipines for weeks of training before filming didn't appeal to him.

Winner of the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Jack Abbott in "The Belly Of The Beast".

He has one grandchild named Mazrik William (born October 2003).

Was cast in To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) after Gary Sinise declined the part. Sinise became the star of "CSI: NY" (2004), which is the spin-off of Petersen's series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000).

Co-presented an award at the 2004 Emmys with Dennis Franz, whose former "NYPD Blue" (1993) co-star, David Caruso stars in "CSI: Miami" (2002) the spin-off of Petersen's series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000).

Owns the rights of James Ellroy's crime novel "Clandestine".

Appears in The Skulls (2000) with Hill Harper. Harper currently co- stars in "CSI: NY" (2004), the spin-off of Petersen's series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000).

Turned down a major part in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990).

Has played two characters with the surname "Walker." He played Gideon Walker in "Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993) (mini) and Steve Walker in Fear (1996).

Played Missy Crider's father in the mini series The Beast (1996) (TV). Crider later appeared in the second season premiere of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000).

Has been portrayed in several CSI games.

He has a production company called, High Horse (with friend & fellow "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000) producer, Cynthia Chvatal).

Married longtime girl friend, Gina Cirone, in Petrignano, Italy.

Engaged to Gina Cirone, a biology teacher. [March 2002]

Testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on increased funding for crime labs.

Declined the offer to produce "CSI: Miami" (2002), the spin-off of his series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000).

Attended Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho. He wears his old football jersey from that school in most of his movies.

An avid Chicago Cubs fan, he sings the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field every year and also narrated the documentary Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivy (2001) (V) about Wrigley Field.