The Biography

Bill Smitrovich (born William Stanley Zmitrowicz Jr., May 16, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut) is a White American actor of Polish descent, 6′ 0″ (1.83 m) tall. He graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1972 and earned an MFA from Smith College in 1976, taught acting at the University of Massachusetts, and was a founding member of the No Theatre Company (alongside Willem Dafoe and Spalding Gray). He is married to Shaw Purnell (since 1985) and has two children, Alexander John and Maya Christina. His most notable television roles include Det. Danny Krychek in Crime Story (1986), Andrew Thacher in Life Goes On (1989–1993), Lt. Bob Bletcher in Millennium (1996–1997), ADA Kenneth Walsh in The Practice (2001–2004), Chief Alex Olczyk in Without a Trace (2004–2008), Vice President Raymond Jarvis in The Event (2010–2011), and Inspector Cramer in A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001–2002, 27 episodes). His most notable film credits include Captain Watson in Independence Day (1996), General Northwood in Air Force One (1997), General Maxwell Taylor in Thirteen Days (2000), General Stark in Fail Safe (2000), General Gabriel in Iron Man (2008), Mr. Zimburger in The Rum Diary (2011, with Johnny Depp), Frank in Ted (2012) and Ted 2 (2015), CIA head Hanley in The November Man (2014, with Pierce Brosnan), and Judge Herman Rothwax in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024). He also played Alexander Haig in The Reagans (2003) and made guest appearances in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 24, NYPD Blue, Criminal Minds, Dynasty (2017–2018), and Grey's Anatomy.