William Forsythe Movies
Moving easily from comedies to drama, character actor William "Bill" Forsythe has been busy in feature films since the early '80s, when he debuted with a small role in Smokey Bites the Dust (1981). In addition, he frequently appears on television and on stage, where he launched his career. The stocky, moon-faced, and gap-toothed Brooklyn native began acting in local productions in his early teens and by age 16, had become a professional, appearing on and off Broadway. As a young man, Forsythe moved to Southern California. Shortly after his film debut, he also made his first television appearance in the TV-movie The Miracle of Kathy Miller. This started him on a series of guest-starring roles on shows ranging from CHiPS to Fame. At this early stage, Forsythe was usually cast in villainous roles, as in his breakthrough feature Once Upon a Time in America (1984), in which he played the sweet-faced but ruthless gangster Cockeye. One of Forsythe's most memorable performances was also his first lead, that of a rebellious wheelchair-bound patient who turns a hospital ward topsy-turvy, in the ensemble piece The Waterdance (1991). The same year, Forsythe starred as Al Capone in the short-lived television resurrection of The Untouchables. His other television credits include a leading role opposite Emilio Estevez, in Gene Quintano's tribute to spaghetti Westerns A Dollar for the Dead (1998). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 2008
A dejected strip club bouncer attempts to atone for the sins of his past by protecting a little girl from a vampiric preacher in Tooth and Nail director Mark Young's moody horror film. Hazel Fortune (Yul Vasquez) is a burnt-out alcoholic who works in a southern strip club. Ever since he caused the death of his daughter, Hazel has fallen into a hopeless cycle of grief and despair. Then, one day, Starla (Nicole DuPort) walks into the club where Hazel works looking for a job. She's not like the other girls in the club, because all Starla wants is to raise enough money to give her daughter Hope a better future. When local fire and brimstone preacher The Reverend sees Starla, he makes it his holy mission to deliver her from evil. Before The Reverend can save Starla's soul, however, he is beset by a gang of wandering vampires and transformed into a night-walking bloodsucker. Now, as Hazel looks after young Hope, The Reverend and his minions set out to raise some serious hell around this sleepy rural town. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yul Vázquez, Nicole DuPort, (more)
Dean Cain and Anthony Michael Hall go toe-to-toe at 30,000 feet in this action-packed mini-series that finds a radical terrorist poised to take down domestic flight or die trying. FBI hostage rescue specialist Jack Bender (Cain) is traveling across the country on a domestic flight when the members of the People's Separatist Movement attempts to take control of the aircraft. The leader of the terrorist group is Greg Gilliad (Hall), an unpredictable fanatic with visions of nuclear grandeur. When Jack's ex-wife, an FAA employee, announces that the only way to defeat Greg and his group may be to shoot the plan right out of the sky, the seasoned hostage rescue specialist attempts to draw on his extensive combat training in order to ensure that the flight touches down without incident. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Cain, Anthony Michael Hall, (more)
- 2007
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Writer/director Tom Holland, of Fright Night and Psycho II fame, directed this entry in the popular Masters of Horror series. For years, a mentally impaired but sweet-natured clown named Buster (William Forsythe) rode through the streets of a small town in his Cherry Tyme truck selling ice cream to local children. But when a cadre of neighborhood boys played a cruel trick that led to Buster's death, no one could anticipate the hell that would soon unfurl. A generation later, the troublemakers are now adults. All are horrified to discover that Buster has returned with a taste for death -- and a desire to collect their own children as recompense. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Tergeson, William Forsythe, (more)
A car wreck causes the lives of 15 strangers to unexpectedly collide in this independent comedy drama. It's Father's Day, and Ted (William Forsythe) is out on the road with his 19-year-old son Josh (Dan Byrd). When Josh slams on the brakes to avoid hitting a dog along a two-lane highway in the country, his car is rear-ended by Lorraine (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), a cellist en route to a gig. Josh's car hits a telephone pole which soon blocks the road, and a traffic jam results. Among the folks waiting for the road to clear are Lilac (Gina Torres) and her lesbian girlfriend Rose (Mariah O'Brien), who is about to have a baby and needs medical help. Jerry (David DeLuise) and Curt (Christopher Amitrano) are a pair of half-bright rednecks who have stolen an ATM machine and are trying to figure out how to liberate the cash from it when they're enlisted to help Rose have her child. Divorcé Dale (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is spending the day with his kids Robert (Skyler Gisondo) and Brianna (Marissa Blanchard), but he isn't sure how to break the news he'll soon be moving away and won't see them very often. Gary (Jonathan Silverman) and Judy (Julie Claire) are a bickering yuppie couple at odds over the fact they haven't been able to have a baby. Amy (Amanda Detmer) is on her way to her wedding, and her friends Stephanie (Amanda Foreman) and Jen (Elizabeth Bogush) are there to lend support, but Amy is having second thoughts and Stephanie knows something that would have a very serious effect on the nuptials. And Mick (Alex Rocco) is a middle-aged man traveling with his wife Ruby (Tess Harper) who ends up acting as an advisor on affairs of the heart to several other stranded motorists. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
A veterinarian makes a shocking discovery upon settling in a small Missouri town in this ecological thriller that will have you thinking twice before biting into that next hamburger. It seems like everyone in the tightly knit ranching community of Host is employed by Host Tender Meats. When new doctor Eli Rudkus (Vincent Ventresca) arrives in town, he soon stumbles upon a horrific cattle infestation that threatens to become a deadly human epidemic. It seems that mutating insect larva are developing a taste for human flesh and reproducing at an alarming rate. What was at first a threat solely to local livestock soon turns into a desperate war for humanity. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
The controversial satire The LA Riot Spectacular plays for mordent laughs the events that consumed L.A. in 1992, after the police officers on trial for beating motorist Rodney King were found innocent. The city was engulfed by a massive riot, but the film plays these moments for laughs. In addition to recreating some of the images seen on television, the film skewers a variety of figures including the police, the media, and the citizens of the city. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher McDonald, Emilio Estevez, (more)
- 2002
Piecing together elements from such past series as The Profiler, Quantum Leap, and the 1967 cult classic Coronet Blue, John Doe starred Dominic Purcell as the title character. Awakening naked on a desert island, the hero eventually washed up in Seattle, where he quickly gained a reputation as a walking encyclopedia of arcane facts. If one wanted to know how many dimples there were on a golf ball, or the name of the ruler of Peru in the early 16th century, all one had to do was ask "John Doe," who literally knew all the answers save one: He had no idea who he really was, where he had come from, or how he had managed to accumulate so much knowledge. Even so, John offered the benefit of his expertise to the police to solve baffling crimes and missing-persons cases. While some of the authorities welcomed his input, there were those who thought there was something very fishy -- if not other-worldly -- about the enigmatic Mr. Doe. As expected, each hour-long episode provided tiny clues as to the protagonist's identity, but never enough to give the whole game away. John Doe debuted amidst much publicity fanfare on September 20, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dominic Purcell, Azura Skye, (more)
- 2002
Directed and co-written by Scott Saunders, The Technical Writer stars Tatum O'Neal as Slim, one of the tenants residing in a glamorous Manhattan apartment complex. Along with Joe (William Forsythe), her husband, Slim is determined to introduce the reclusive Jessop (Michael Harris) into her social circuit, which often involves swinging sex parties. Though Jessop isn't tempted, Slim, after having made a bet with her husband, continues to interrupt his isolated existence, and eventually succeeds in seducing the middle-aged loner out of his agoraphobia and into her bed. Once Jessop is hooked, however, Slim distances herself from him. The Technical Writer also features Pamela Gordon and Oksana Lada. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Harris, Tatum O'Neal, (more)
In this action-adventure story, Thomas Taylor (Christian Slater) is a master thief who was caught red-handed during a robbery and ended up in prison. Convinced he was pushing his luck, Taylor began pursuing a new career on the other side of the law as a paramedic when he's approached by one of his old partners and brought in on a robbery that could earn them a million dollars in cash. However, after Taylor and his cohorts pull the job, they discover the cash has been marked, and they find themselves at the mercy of Mark Cornell (Val Kilmer), an FBI agent gone bad. Produced under the title In God We Trust and shown on television as Run for the Money, Hard Cash also features Daryl Hannah, Bokeem Woodbine, and Balthazar Getty. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Val Kilmer, Christian Slater, (more)
- 2001
One of several government-espionage series unveiled during the 2001-2002 TV season, UC: Undercover detailed the exploits of the Special Operations Group, an elite five-person team answerable only to the Justice Department. Using up-to-date technology and advanced martial arts skills, the Group was dedicated to tracking down and capturing supercriminals and terrorists (though several episodes dealing with the latter were toned down in the wake of the World Trade Center tragedy). Described by several observers as the Wiseguy of the early 21st century, the series found its regulars adopting all manner of disguises and new identities in order to infiltrate the illicit organizations which they'd targeted for extinction. Originally cast as group leader John Keller, Grant Show was replaced in the second episode by new leader Frank Donovan (Oded Fehr); other regulars included Jon Seda as Jake, Vera Farmiga as Alex, Bruklin Harris as Monica, and Jarrad Paul as Cody. Executive produced by Steve Salerno (one of the writers of the movie hit Armageddon), UC: Undercover began its weekly, 60-minute NBC run on September 30, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vera Farmiga, Oded Fehr, (more)
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Director at the 2001 Urbanworld Film Festival, Blue Hill Avenue focuses on the rise of the drug trade in Boston, as seen through the eyes of three childhood friends. The time is the late '70s, and Tristan (Allen Payne), Money (Aaron D. Spears), E-Bone (William Johnson), and Simon (Michael Taliferro) are all high-school pals and petty thieves on the mean streets of the city's South Side. Their antics bring them to the attention of Benny (Clarence Williams III), a charismatic drug dealer who takes the four friends under his wing. The most straight-and-narrow of the bunch, Tristan manages to keep his nefarious trade under the radar of his parents. As the years pass, however, the dealers introduce crack to their line of narcotics, and Tristan's sense of guilt over his neighborhood's demise leads to an inevitable betrayal of Benny, followed by a grisly showdown. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Allen Payne, William Forsythe, (more)
A woman searching or her missing sister in Miami's dark underbelly makes a horrific discovery in the third feature from stuntman-turned-director Mike Kirton. Sandi (Erika Eleniak)'s sister has disappeared after traveling to Miami. Upon arriving in the bustling city to seek out her sister, Sandi's discovery of an underworld kidnapping ring soon leads her to a group of undercover vigilantes led by a man named Simon (William Forsythe). When the determined sister teams with Simon to discover the secret behind her sibling's strange disappearance, each step closer to the truth leads to a new threat and greater danger. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Jon Bon Jovi and Bai Ling star in this culture-clash romance about a down-and-out ex-con and a lonely Chinese immigrant. Just out of Riker's Island for taking the fall for his thuggish brother Gil (William Forsythe), Jamey (Bon Jovi) lands low-paying work as a door to door census taker. On the job, he happens upon Chun Hua (Ling) who lives with her baby, her grumpy middle-aged husband, and her meddlesome mother-in-law. Taking advantage of her poor English, Jamey asks a series of increasingly personal questions under the guise of official necessity, learning that Chun Hua is desperately lonely in her unhappy arranged marriage. A slow, hesitant relationship develops between the two. Later, Gil stumbles back into Jamey's life, up to his neck in debt with a blood-thirsty Chinese gangster. As a result, Jamey finds himself and especially Chun Hua in danger. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Bon Jovi, William Forsythe, (more)
A veteran detective and his novice assistant find some very unexpected mysteries in this offbeat comedy. Jack Potter (Leslie Nielsen) is a hard-boiled but absent-minded private detective who thinks it might be a good idea to retire soon. Potter is approached by Marty MacKenzie (Lochlyn Munro), a small-time actor wanting to research a role as a detective (while making some much-needed pocket money at the same time). Potter hires MacKenzie as a leg man and has him stake out a beautiful woman from Beaver Ridge, OR, whose husband is convinced she's cheating on him. Things quickly get far more complicated than Potter expected, and he has to rescue MacKenzie from Beaver Ridge, which is populated by freaks, lunatics, and two-headed livestock; it doesn't help that MacKenzie has also fallen in love with Cindy Davies (Vanessa Angel), the woman he was supposed to be watching. Camouflage also stars William Forsythe and Patrick Warburton. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie Nielsen, Lochlyn Munro, (more)
- 1999
In this thriller, a developer who is building a resort hotel has been leveling a rain forest to make room for his building project, which angers a scientist who has been living in the forest while studying its ecosystem. The scientist, however, finds himself playing detective in his spare time when he learns of a number of unsolved homicides that have occurred in the forest. Paradise Lost (not to be confused with the acclaimed documentary of the same title by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky) stars William Forsythe, Marina Sirtis, and Nigel Havers. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Forsythe, Nigel Havers, (more)
- 1999
Devoted father and two-bit hood Milt (William Forsythe) plans an interesting father-son activity: a bank heist. The plan hinges on double crossing his long-time partner in crime Fury (Colm Meaney) and Milt's son (known simply as The Kid) fleeing with the cash to a rendevez point up north. After the heist, the Kid wanders about waiting for his dad for four days, not realizing that pops had been shot during his getaway. Meanwhile, the enraged Fury along with Milt's ex-girlfriend Feather (Anne-Marie Cadieux) are hot on the Kid's trail. On the road, the Kid stumbles upon Crystal (Lolita Davidovich), a free-spirited live wire hell-bent on angering her jealous husband. Crystal flirts with the lad, convincing her hubby that she has hooked herself a strapping young beau. Everyone's paths collide at the Paradise Lodge, off in the northern woods. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Zegers, Lolita Davidovich, (more)
A group of strangers find their lives colliding head-on in this action-oriented comedy-drama. Connor (Burt Reynolds) and Hudson (William Forsythe) are a pair of hit men who meet a wily prostitute named Angela (Georgina Cates) while en route to an assignment. Before the night is over, they become intertwined in ways they never could have expected. Big City Blues also stars Giancarlo Esposito, Balthazar Getty, and Arye Gross. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burt Reynolds, William Forsythe, (more)
- 1999
A criminal burns his bridges with his fellow outlaws and lives to regret it in this drama. John Shakley (William McNamara) is a small-time crook who has decided it's time to put his life back on the straight and narrow. However, his efforts to stay on the right side of the law are foiled by two longtime acquaintances -- an old buddy and John's former girlfriend approach him, hoping he can help them fence a cache of stolen jewelry. John can't turn his back on his friend and wants to convince his girl to come back to him, so he reluctantly agrees to the proposition. However, he discovers the jewels are too hot to be moved through any channels he knows, and in order to save his own skin, he's forced to turn himself in to the police. When John's partners discover he's turned informer, John quickly learns he's only traded one sort of grave danger for another. Snitch also stars Marlee Matlin and Tisha Campbell. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William McNamara
- 1998
With this western saga, the TNT network pays tribute to the Spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone. Featuring the original crew responsible for the Italian helmer's most famous genre entries A Fistful of Dollars and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the film was primarily shot in Spain. The tale is set just after the American Civil War and follows the efforts of a tormented cowboy and his strange partner to seek out a cache of gold hidden in the badlands by Confederate soldiers. The all-star cast includes Emilio Estevez and William Forsythe. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emilio Estevez, William Forsythe, (more)
Vincent (Danny Aiello), aging, war-weary hit man for the Mob, becomes the target of Tommy (William Forsythe), the hot-headed son of the new family boss. While Vincent considers his options (retirement, of course, is not one of them) and reflects on his violent life, Tommy tries to find the wherewithal to slay the man he considers a lifelong father figure. Still, a contract's a contract. Can religion, loyalty, or money save Vincent from his apparent fate?
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
Steven Widi Ho directed this drama about sound mixer Igby Walters (Wayne Pere), who's working on a western-style Hamlet titled Dead Cowboys. After Igby encounters young violinist Juliet (Eliane Chappuis), he attempts to score with a promise of film score work. Can he deliver on this promise? Shown in competition at the 1998 Montreal World Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wayne Pere, Eliane Chappuis, (more)
William Forsythe, James LeGros and Elizabeth Pena star in this modern noir-style thriller. A guy whose luck has not been good lately picks up a hitch-hiker one night. This seemingly innocent act draws him into a dark world of corrupt police officers and strange behavior; it also brings him into contact with a lonely waitress with seduction on her mind. Directed by Kurt Voss, best known for his collaborations with Allison Anders (Border Radio, Sugar Town). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Forsythe, James LeGros, (more)
Gotti is the semi-biographical tale of John Gotti, the infamous crime boss of the Gambino mob family. This drama chronicles not only the bloody rise of Gotti, also known as the "Dapper Don", but the FBI's struggle to bring him to justice. His refusal to play by the normal "rules" of the mafia ultimately became the mobster's achilles heel; the FBI eventually persuaded assassin Sammy "The Bull" Gravano to testify against his ungrateful, paranoid boss, who was finally imprisoned in 1982. Gotti is based in part on a book written by Jerry Capeci and Gene Mustain titled Mob Star: The Story of John Gotti. Gotti, directed by Robert Harmon stars Armand Assante as the complicated mafia lord, and also features actors Anthony Quinn and William Forsythe. The drama aired on HBO in 1996, unwittingly serving as a precurser to what would later become the wildly popular mob drama The Sopranos. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Armand Assante, Anthony Quinn, (more)
