Highest rated as cast or director
24
2001 · 9 Seasons
Family Plot
1976
Marathon Man
1976
Testament
1983
The Grinder
2015 · 1 Season
Biography
William Joseph Devane (born September 5, 1937) is an American film, television and theater actor, known for his role as Greg Sumner on the primetime soap opera Knots Landing and as James Heller on the Fox serial drama 24, the role he reprised in Live Another Day. He is also known for his supporting roles in films such as McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Family Plot), Marathon Man, Rolling Thunder and Space Cowboys. Devane began his acting career with the New York Shakespeare Festival where he performed in 15 plays. In 1966, Devane portrayed Robert F. Kennedy in the Off-Broadway spoof MacBird. He gained acclaim for his role as President John F. Kennedy in a television docudrama about the Cuban Missile Crisis, The Missiles of October, and again when he played blacklisted radio personality John Henry Faulk in the Emmy Award-winning TV movie Fear on Trial. He is widely known for his ten years as the ambitious and hardnosed politician-turned-corporate titan Greg Sumner on Knots Landing. In 1994, Devane appeared as Al Capone in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in an episode entitled "That Old Gang of Mine". He also had a recurring role on the CBS show Early Edition as the lead character's father. Devane appeared in the films McCabe & Mrs. Miller; Lady Liberty; Family Plot; Marathon Man; Rolling Thunder; Yanks; Testament; Timestalkers; Forgotten Sins; Exception to the Rule; Payback; Hollow Man and Space Cowboys. Devane has played members of the Presidential Cabinet on two evening dramas. In 2004, on The West Wing, he guest-starred as the Secretary of State and potential Vice-Presidential nominee. Devane appeared in several scenes with Martin Sheen; they also appeared together as President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert, respectively, 30 years earlier in The Missiles of October. In 2005, he joined the cast of 24 as Secretary of Defense James Heller for seasons 4, 5 and 6.
Acted in 109
2020s
- 2022
2010s
- 2015
- 2014
Bad Turn Worse
Big Red
50 to 1
Leonard Doc Blach
- 2012
Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt
Dr. Dix
Leprechaun's Revenge
Pop O'Hara
- 2011
Good Morning, Killer
Everett Morgan Gray
Flag of My Father
Jake
Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost
Dr. Dix
- 2010
The Kane Files: Life of Trial
Thompson
Jesse Stone: No Remorse
Dr. Dix
The River Why
Dutch Hines
2000s
- 2009
Jesse Stone: Thin Ice
Dr. Dix
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise
Dr. Dix
Crumbs
Billy Crumb · 13 episodes
- 2004
Deceit
Grove McCarthy
- 2003
- 2002
A Christmas Visitor
George Boyajian
Threat of Exposure
Col. Weldon
- 2001
Race to Space
Roger Thornhill
Miracle on the Mountain: The Kincaid Family Story
Tom Kincaid
- 2000
The Michael Richards Show
Brady McKay · 9 episodes
The Man Who Used to Be Me
Older Sam Ryan
1990s
- 1999
Turks
Sergeant Joseph Turk · 13 episodes
- 1997
Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac
Greg Sumner · 2 episodes
The Absolute Truth
Emmett Hunter
Exception to the Rule
Lawrence Kellerman
- 1996
Forgotten Sins
Dr. Richard Ofshe
- 1995
The Monroes
TV
- 1994
Lady in Waiting
Lt. Barrett
For the Love of Nancy
Tom
- 1993
Rubdown
Harry Orwitz
Prophet of Evil: The Ervil LeBaron Story
Daniel 'Dan' Fields
- 1992
The President's Child
Elliot McSwain
Obsessed
Ed Bledsoe
- 1991
A Woman Named Jackie
Black Jack Bouvier · 3 episodes
- 1990
Murder C.O.D.
Alex Brandt
Chips, the War Dog
Col. Charnley
1980s
- 1989
- 1987
- 1984
With Intent to Kill
Aaron Charney
- 1983
Hadley's Rebellion
Coach Ball
Jane Doe
William Quinn
- 1982
- 1981
The Other Victim
Harry Langford
Red Flag: The Ultimate Game
Maj. Phil Clark
Honky Tonk Freeway
Mayor Kirby T. Calo
1970s
- 1979
Yanks
John
From Here to Eternity
Sgt. Milt Warden · 3 episodes
- 1978
Black Beauty
John Manly · 5 episodes
- 1977
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training
Mike Leak
Red Alert
Frank Brolen
- 1976
- 1975
Fear on Trial
John Henry Faulk
- 1974
The Missiles of October
President John F. Kennedy
The Missiles of October
John F. Kennedy - US President · 2 episodes
Judgment: The Court Martial of the Tiger of Malaya — General Yamashita
Movie
- 1973
The Snoop Sisters
David Prine · 1 episode
The Bait
Earl Stokey
Crime Club
Kilburn
- 1972
The Irish Whiskey Rebellion
LT. Ashley
- 1971
Lady Liberty
Jock Fenner
My Old Man's Place
Jimmy Pilgrim
The 300-Year Weekend
Tom
The Pursuit of Happiness
Pilot
1960s
- 1969
- 1967
In the Country
Movie
1950s
- 1955
Wrote 1
1970s
- 1976
The Million Dollar Rip-Off
Writer
Other crew 1
1970s
- 1971
The 300-Year Weekend
Additional Dialogue
Appearances6
2000s
- 2001
Plotting 'Family Plot'
Self
1990s
- 1997
Rogues Gallery
Self – Narrator · 10 episodes
- 1992
Ancient Secrets of the Bible
Host & Narrator
1980s
- 1982
Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady
Self
