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Bill Pullman

Birth Place: Hornell, NY, USA

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BIO

During the 1980s, Pullman worked primarily with theater companies around New York and Los Angeles. His first prominent film role was in Ruthless People, starring Danny DeVito and Bette Midler. Other notable films included the lead in Spaceballs (1987), The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) (with Zakes Mokae), A League of Their Own (1992), Malice (1993), Casper and While You Were Sleeping (both 1995). In 1996, he played the President of the United States in the sci-fi film Independence Day. A year later he had a major role in Lost Highway (1997) and voiced Korso in the animated post-apocalyptic film Titan A.E.



From February 2002 until September 2002, Pullman starred with Mercedes Ruehl in Edward Albee's play The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? on Broadway. It won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Play, the 2002 Drama Desk Award Outstanding New Play, and the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Pullman was nominated for the 2002 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play.

He starred as Dr. Richard Massey in the 2005 miniseries Revelations. He appeared in Albee's play Peter and Jerry at off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre in New York for which he received a second Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Play in 2008.

Pullman is also a creative writer. His first play, Expedition 6, is about the International Space Station mission Expedition 6, in orbit at the time the Space Shuttle Columbia was destroyed on reentry, grounding the U.S. Space Shuttle program and requiring the ISS crew to remain in orbit an additional two months. The play opened at San Francisco's Magic Theater in September 2007.

He also appeared in the Broadway production of David Mamet's Oleanna, co-starring Julia Stiles. It opened at the John Golden Theatre October 11, 2009, and closed on December 6, 2009, after 65 performances.

He is a jury member for the digital studio Filmaka, a platform for undiscovered filmmakers to show their work to industry professionals.

Pullman played Oswald Danes, a pedophile and child killer, in Torchwood: Miracle Day, the fourth series of the BBC/Starz Entertainment television show Torchwood (a spinoff to the BBC series Doctor Who), the former of which began airing in July 2011. For his performance as Danes, he received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor on Television.

From 2012 to 2013, Pullman portrayed the president of the United States in the television comedy series 1600 Penn. He played detective Harry Ambrose in the USA Network mystery series The Sinner, which premiered in 2017 and has aired for four seasons.

In 2023, Pullman portrayed Alex Murdaugh, a South Carolina attorney convicted of murdering his wife and son. The two-part Lifetime series Murdaugh Murders: The Movie premiered on 14 October. In June 2025, Pullman was announced to reprise the role of Lone Star in the sequel to Spaceballs, which is scheduled for release in 2027, and that he would be co-starring alongside his son Lewis Pullman.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Mad House Mad House
[West End]
London Production, 2022
Daniel
All My Sons All My Sons
[West End]
London Revival at Old Vic Theatre, 2019
Joe
The Jacksonian The Jacksonian
[Off-Broadway]
New Group Production, 2013
Performer
The Other Place The Other Place
[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2013
Ian [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Oleanna Oleanna
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
John
Peter and Jerry
[Off-Broadway]
2007
Peter
The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Martin

Movies

Ruthless People
[ 1986 ] Earl
Spaceballs
[ 1987 ] Lone Starr
Rocket Gibraltar
[ 1988 ] Crow Black
The Serpent and the Rainbow
[ 1988 ] Dennis Alan
The Accidental Tourist
[ 1988 ] Julian Hedge
Cold Feet
[ 1989 ] Buck
Bright Angel
[ 1990 ] Bob
Sibling Rivalry
[ 1990 ] Nichol Meany
Brain Dead
[ 1990 ] Rex Martin
Going Under
[ 1991 ] Biff Banner
Liebestraum
[ 1991 ] Paul Kessler
A League of Their Own
[ 1992 ] Bob Hinson
Newsies
[ 1992 ] Bryan Denton
Singles
[ 1992 ] Dr. Jeffrey Jamison
Nervous Ticks
[ 1992 ] York Daley
Malice
[ 1993 ] Andy
Sommersby
[ 1993 ] Orin
Sleepless in Seattle
[ 1993 ] Walter
The Last Seduction
[ 1994 ] Clay Gregory
Wyatt Earp
[ 1994 ] Ed Mterson
The Favor
[ 1994 ] Peter Whiting
Casper
[ 1995 ] Dr. Harvey
While You Were Sleeping
[ 1995 ] Jack
Independence Day
[ 1996 ] President Thom J. Whitmore
Mr. Wrong
[ 1996 ] Whitman Crawford
Lost Highway
[ 1997 ] Fred Madison
The End of Violence
[ 1997 ] Mike Max
Zero Effect
[ 1998 ] Daryl Zero
Brokedown Palace
[ 1999 ] Hank Greene
History Is Made at Night
[ 1999 ] Harry Howe, Ernie Halliday
Lake Placid
[ 1999 ] Jack Wells
The Guilty
[ 2000 ] Callum Crane
Lucky Numbers
[ 2000 ] Det. Pat Lakewood
Titan A.E.
[ 2000 ] Korso
A Man Is Mostly Water
[ 2000 ] Parking Fcist
Ignition
[ 2001 ] Deputy Marshal Conor Gallagher
Igby Goes Down
[ 2002 ] Jon
29 Palms
[ 2002 ] The Ticket Clerk
Rick
[ 2003 ] Rick O Lette
The Grudge
[ 2004 ] Peter
Dear Wendy
[ 2005 ] Krugsby
Scary Movie 4
[ 2006 ] Henry Hale
Alien Autopsy
[ 2006 ] Morgan Banner
You Kill Me
[ 2007 ] Dave
Nobel Son
[ 2007 ] Max Mariner
Bottle Shock
[ 2008 ] Jim Barrett
Phoebe in Wonderland
[ 2008 ] Peter Lichten
Surveillance
[ 2008 ] Sam Hallaway
Your Name Here
[ 2008 ] William J. Frick
The Killer Inside Me
[ 2010 ] Billy Boy Walker
Peacock
[ 2010 ] Edmund French
Rio Sex Comedy
[ 2010 ] William
Bringing Up Bobby
[ 2011 ] Kent
Lola Versus
[ 2012 ] Lenny
May in the Summer
[ 2013 ] Edward
The Equalizer
[ 2014 ] Brian Plummer
Red Sky
[ 2014 ] John Webster
Cymbeline
[ 2014 ] Sicilius Leonatus
American Ultra
[ 2015 ] Krueger
Brother Nature
[ 2016 ] Jerry Turley
Independence Day: Resurgence
[ 2016 ] President Whitmore
LBJ
[ 2016 ] Senator Ralph Yarborough
Trouble
[ 2017 ] Ben
A Thousand Junkies
[ 2017 ] Bill Pullman
Walking Out
[ 2017 ] Clyde
Battle of the Sexes
[ 2017 ] Jack Kramer
The Ballad of Lefty Brown
[ 2017 ] Lefty Brown
The Equalizer 2
[ 2018 ] Brian Plummer
Dark Waters
[ 2019 ] Harry Dietzler
National Theatre Live: All My Sons
[ 2019 ] Joe Keller
The Coldest Game
[ 2019 ] Joshua Mansky
The High Note
[ 2020 ] Max
Killing Faith
[ 2025 ] Ross

TV Shows

1600 Penn
President Dale Gilchrist
The Sinner
Harry Ambrose
Hobo Code
Old Jack
Hobo Code
Old Jack

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Bill Pullman, Sticks and Bones

The Lortels - 2015 - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play

Bill Pullman, Sticks and Bones

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Bill Pullman, The Jacksonian

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Bill Pullman, Peter and Jerry


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Bill Pullman, The Goat

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Bill Pullman, The Goat

Videos

More Videos

News


Photo: SPACEBALLS 2 Begins Production with Josh Gad, Rick Moranis, & More Photo
Photo: SPACEBALLS 2 Begins Production with Josh Gad, Rick Moranis, & More
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 25, 2025

Original Spaceballs cast members Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, and George Wyner are all set to reprise their roles in the long-awaited sequel to the 1987 cult classic from Mel Brooks. Check out a photo of the first table read!
THE UNDERSTUDY Comes to the Hub Theatre Company of Boston Photo
THE UNDERSTUDY Comes to the Hub Theatre Company of Boston
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2025

Elliot Norton Award winning Hub Theatre Company of Boston will kick off its highly anticipated 12th season with Theresa Rebeck’s celebrated comedy The Understudy, directed by five time Elliot Norton Award winner Paula Plum.
Paula Plum Directs Theresa Rebeck's THE UNDERSTUDY With Hub Theatre Photo
Paula Plum Directs Theresa Rebeck's THE UNDERSTUDY With Hub Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - May 21, 2025

Hub Theatre Company of Boston will kick off its 12th season with Theresa Rebeck's celebrated comedy The Understudy, directed by five time Elliot Norton Award winner Paula Plum.
AZAD (THE RABBIT AND THE WOLF) World Premiere to be Presented at Potrero Stage Photo
AZAD (THE RABBIT AND THE WOLF) World Premiere to be Presented at Potrero Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 18, 2025

Golden Thread Productions will present the world premiere of AZAD (the rabbit and the wolf). Featuring folk music, oral storytelling, video projection, and movement. Learn more!
SHOGUN, ANORA & More Win 2025 Writers Guild Awards Photo
SHOGUN, ANORA & More Win 2025 Writers Guild Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 16, 2025

Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) announced the winners of the 2025 Writers Guild Awards for outstanding achievement in writing for film, television, streaming, news, radio/audio, and promotional categories during concurrent ceremonies.
Golden Thread Productions and Hakawati NGO to Present AZAD (the rabbit and the wolf) Photo
Golden Thread Productions and Hakawati NGO to Present AZAD (the rabbit and the wolf)
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 14, 2025

Golden Thread Productions and Hakawati NGO will present the world premiere of AZAD (the rabbit and the wolf). Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Theresa Rebeck to Direct Reading of SAMANTHA INSIDE OUT By Marisa Smith At Shaker Bri Photo
Theresa Rebeck to Direct Reading of SAMANTHA INSIDE OUT By Marisa Smith At Shaker Bridge Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2025

Shaker Bridge Theatrewill present a one-night-only staged reading of SAMANTHA INSIDE OUT, a new one-woman show written by Marisa Smith, directed by Theresa Rebeck, and starring Jayne Atkinson as part of Shaker Bridge's commitment to developing new work.
Golden Thread Productions Reveals 2025 Season of Solidarity Photo
Golden Thread Productions Reveals 2025 Season of Solidarity
by Stephi Wild - Jan 30, 2025

 Golden Thread Productions, the first American theatre company devoted to the Middle East, has announced its 2025 Season titled “Threads of Solidarity.” Learn more here!
Josh Gad Shares SPACEBALLS 2 Update; Reveals Casting Is Underway Photo
Josh Gad Shares SPACEBALLS 2 Update; Reveals Casting Is Underway
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 17, 2025

It won't be long before Spaceballs 2 blasts into production at ludicrous speed. In a new interview Josh Gad gave an update on the Mel Brooks sequel, revealing that the team is working on assembling a cast for the long-awaited movie.
Chris Noth to Star in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at Denver's Elaine Wol Photo
Chris Noth to Star in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at Denver's Elaine Wolf Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 20, 2024

Chris Noth will star as George Bailey in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at Denver's Elaine Wolf Theater. Experience the holiday classic in a 1940s radio studio setting. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Visionbox Studio Hosts David Hyde Pierce For A Public Conversation Photo
Visionbox Studio Hosts David Hyde Pierce For A Public Conversation
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 26, 2024

David Hyde Pierce will join Visionbox Studio in Denver for a public conversation on the importance of theatre today.
Video: Josh Gad Talks Working With Mel Brooks on SPACEBALLS 2 Photo
Video: Josh Gad Talks Working With Mel Brooks on SPACEBALLS 2
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 25, 2024

Josh Gad visited Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday to discuss some of his projects, which include co-writing Spaceballs 2, the long-awaiting sequel to Mel Brooks' comedy. Brooks returns as producer and Gad gave viewers a taste of what their collaboration looks like. Watch the interview!
Visionbox Studio to Host David Hyde Pierce For A Public Conversation On 'Why Theatre Photo
Visionbox Studio to Host David Hyde Pierce For A Public Conversation On 'Why Theatre Matters Today'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 20, 2024

David Hyde Pierce will join Visionbox Studio in Denver for a public conversation on the importance of theatre today. David Hyde Pierce, a powerful force in American theatre, television, and film, will engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the significance of theatre in today's world. Learn how to attend.
Alfred Molina, Denis O'Hare, & More to Star in Netflix Series THE BOROUGHS Photo
Alfred Molina, Denis O'Hare, & More to Star in Netflix Series THE BOROUGHS
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 4, 2024

Netflix has announced that Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O'Hare, Clarke Peters, and Bill Pullman are set to star in The Boroughs, an upcoming supernatural mystery from Executive Producers The Duffer Brothers and created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) who also serve as Showrunners. 
Josh Gad to Produce and Star in SPACEBALLS Sequel From Producer Mel Brooks Photo
Josh Gad to Produce and Star in SPACEBALLS Sequel From Producer Mel Brooks
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 18, 2024

Josh Gad is set to produce and appear in the long-awaiting sequel to Mel Brooks' 1987 comedy Spaceballs, which is in development at Amazon MGM Studios. Brooks will return as a producer on the film. Multiple outlets have reported the news, following a tease from Gad on his Instagram last week.
Review: THE GOAT is Brilliant Comedy at The Stage At Burke Junction Photo
Review: THE GOAT is Brilliant Comedy at The Stage At Burke Junction
by Courtney Symes - Jun 8, 2024

Edward Albee, whose odd middle-aged characters have fascinated American theatre-goers since 1962’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, explores what is perhaps his most interesting family dynamic in the 2002 Tony Award-winning play The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? The play is, as you might imagine, about a goat. This is not just any goat, though; this is a home-wrecking goat. Now, you might wonder how a farm animal could possibly drive a wedge in a solid family unit. Well, I’m here to tell you that it does so in a provocative and gut-busting script of genius and absolute hilarity.
SUNDAY ON THE ROCKS By Theresa Rebeck Returns To London Photo
SUNDAY ON THE ROCKS By Theresa Rebeck Returns To London
by A.A. Cristi - May 13, 2024

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Theresa Rebeck's SUNDAY ON THE ROCKS with a revival in London's pub theatre scene.
League of Professional Theatre Women To Present Oral History Interview with Broadwa Photo
League of Professional Theatre Women To Present Oral History Interview with Broadway Playwright Theresa Rebeck
by A.A. Cristi - May 3, 2024

Stage, film, television and novel writer Theresa Rebeck will be interviewed about her long and brilliant career at 6p.m., Monday, June 3, at the Bruno Walter Auditorium, at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.
Bill Pullman & Raymond Lee to Star In Taper Legacy Reading Of THE TRIAL OF THE CATONS Photo
Bill Pullman & Raymond Lee to Star In Taper Legacy Reading Of THE TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE NINE
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 27, 2024

Center Theatre Group has announced “The Trial of the Catonsville Nine,” featuring Bill Pullman (Independence Day, The Sinner, Oleanna, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?), and Raymond Lee (Quantom Leap, Kevin Can F*** Himself, Vietgone, Tokyo Fish Story), as the first in a series of Taper Legacy Readings on Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at the Mark Taper Forum.
Theresa Rebeck Will Talk DIG and I NEED THAT at the Drama Book Shop Today Photo
Theresa Rebeck Will Talk DIG and I NEED THAT at the Drama Book Shop Today
by Stephi Wild - Dec 19, 2023

Theresa Rebeck will discuss her new book Two Plays, which includes her plays Dig and I Need That, at the Drama Book Shop today. The talk will take place Tuesday, December 19 from 7:30 - 8:30pm.
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Bill Pullman been in?

Bill Pullman has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Bill Pullman been in?

Bill Pullman has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Bill Pullman's first West End show?

Bill Pullman's first West End show was All My Sons which opened in 2019

What awards has Bill Pullman been nominated for?

Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Sticks and Bones, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play (The Lortels) for Sticks and Bones, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Jacksonian, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Peter and Jerry, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Goat and Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Goat.

What awards has Bill Pullman won?

Bill Pullman won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play for his performance in The Goat.

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