William Fichtner

William Edward Fichtner, Jr. (born November 27, 1956) is an American actor. He has appeared in a number of notable films and TV series. He is known for his roles as Sheriff Tom Underlay in the cult favorite television series Invasion, Alexander Mahone on Prison Break, and numerous film roles, including; Quiz Show, Armegeddon,The Perfect Storm, Independence Day, Crash, Blades of Glory, Blackhawk Down, Nine Lives, The Longest Yard, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Dark Knight, Date Night, The Lone Ranger , Phantom, Elysium, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and will reprise his role as Eric Sacks in the 2016 sequel.

Early life

Fichtner was born on Mitchel Air Force Base on Long Island, and was raised in Cheektowaga, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. He is the son of Patricia A. (née Steitz) and William E. Fichtner. He has German ancestry.

Fichtner graduated from Maryvale High School (Cheektowaga) in 1974. After graduating from Farmingdale State College in 1976 with an associate degree in criminal justice, he attended SUNY Brockport and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice in 1978. Fichtner then studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Fichtner credits his Farmingdale State College admissions counselor, Don Harvey, with his decision to study acting. Harvey, who became a lifelong friend, took Fichtner to his first Broadway show. On 18 May 2008, Fichtner was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Farmingdale State College.