View Profile
✓
Actor
Bill Pullman
Active Hollywood Cinema, Television & Broadway Theatre
- FromHornell, New York, USA
- Based inLos Angeles, California / Montana, USA
- Age72 years
- Active1986–Present
- Updated
Bill Pullman – Biography
Bill Pullman – Full Information
- Full Name: William James Pullman
- Popular Name: Bill Pullman
- Nickname: Bill
- Profession: Actor, Director, Educator
- Known For: Playing President Thomas J. Whitmore in Independence Day (1996), Lone Starr in Spaceballs (1987), and Detective Harry Ambrose in The Sinner.
- Date of Birth: December 17, 1953
- Age: 72 years (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Hornell, New York, USA
- Hometown: Hornell, New York, USA
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Current Residence: Los Angeles, California & Montana, USA
- Profession Category: Actor / Hollywood Film & Television Star
Physical Appearance
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
- Weight: 85 kg (187 lbs) approx.
- Eye Colour: Blue
- Hair Colour: Light Brown / Gray
Family Member Name
- Father: James Pullman (Physician)
- Mother: Johanna Blaas (Nurse)
- Spouse: Tamara Hurwitz (m. 1987)
- Children: Maesa Pullman, Jack Pullman, Lewis Pullman
Education Details
- Primary / Secondary School: Hornell High School, New York
- College / University: SUNY Delhi, SUNY Oneonta, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Qualification: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Directing
Career Highlight
| Year | Career Highlight |
| 1986 | Film debut starring as Earl Mott in the dark comedy Ruthless People |
| 1987 | Starred as Lone Starr in Mel Brooks’ cult sci-fi parody Spaceballs |
| 1992 | Starred in A League of Their Own and Singles |
| 1993 | Featured in the smash hit romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle |
| 1995 | Starred in romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping and family film Casper |
| 1996 | Played iconic lead role as President Thomas J. Whitmore in Independence Day |
| 1997 | Starred as Fred Madison in David Lynch’s psychological noir thriller Lost Highway |
| 2002 | Earned acclaim on Broadway starring in Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? |
| 2004 | Starred in the hit supernatural horror feature The Grudge |
| 2011 | Played Oswald Danes in sci-fi television series Torchwood: Miracle Day |
| 2016 | Reprised his iconic role in blockbuster sequel Independence Day: Resurgence |
| 2017 | Debuted lead starring role as Detective Harry Ambrose in USA Network series The Sinner |
| 2021 | Played Alexey Gavritov in the Netflix historical drama film The Coldest Game |
| 2023 | Starred as Alex Murdaugh in Lifetime’s miniseries Murdaugh Murders: The Movie |
Awards List
| Year | Award Name | Category | Work | Result |
| 1997 | OFTA Film Award | Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Horror Actor | Independence Day | Nominated |
| 2001 | Western Heritage Awards | Bronze Wrangler – Television Feature Film | The Virginian | Won |
| 2002 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actor in a Play | The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? | Nominated |
| 2008 | Denver International Film Festival | John Cassavetes Award | Lifetime / Career Achievement | Won |
| 2008 | RiverRun International Film Festival | Master of Cinema Award | Career Achievement | Won |
| 2008 | CineVegas International Film Festival | Special Jury Prize | Your Name Here | Won |
| 2011 | Saturn Awards | Best Supporting Actor on Television | Torchwood: Miracle Day | Nominated |
| 2014 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | The Jacksonian | Nominated |
| 2015 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actor in a Play | Sticks and Bones | Nominated |
| 2016 | Locarno International Film Festival | Excellence Award | Lifetime / Career Achievement | Won |
| 2016 | CinemaCon Awards | Ensemble of the Universe | Independence Day: Resurgence | Won |
| 2017 | Hawaii International Film Festival | Halekulani Lifetime Achievement Award | Career Achievement | Won |
| 2017 | Critics’ Choice Television Awards | Best Actor in a Movie / Limited Series | The Sinner | Nominated |
| 2019 | Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards | Outstanding Male Actor in a Limited Series / TV Movie | The Sinner | Nominated |
| 2019 | Saturn Awards | Best Lead Actor in an Action/Thriller Series | The Sinner | Nominated |
| 2023 | Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV | Murdaugh Murders: The Movie | Nominated |
At a Glance
6
Awards
90
Popularity Score
90
Trending
Moderate
Controversy Index
90%
Profile Complete
About Bill Pullman
What is Bill Pullman's most famous movie role?
He is most famous for playing President Thomas J. Whitmore in the blockbuster film Independence Day (1996), deliverer of one of cinema's most famous inspirational speeches.
Is Lewis Pullman related to Bill Pullman?
Yes, actor Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick, Lessons in Chemistry) is Bill Pullman's son.
What television series is Bill Pullman best known for recently?
He is best known for starring as Detective Harry Ambrose in all four seasons of the acclaimed anthology drama series The Sinner (2017–2021).
Did Bill Pullman work as a college professor?
Yes, before achieving full-time success as an actor, he served as an adjunct professor and head of the theater program at Montana State University in Bozeman.
What comedic classics did Bill Pullman star in during the 1980s and 1990s?
He starred as Lone Starr in Spaceballs (1987), Earl Mott in Ruthless People (1986), and Walter in Sleepless in Seattle (1993).
How would you rate this celebrity?
Share your opinion to help other fans discover new talent.
