Bill Pullman is an American actor best remembered for portraying the President of the United States in the alien-invasion blockbuster Independence Day / Independence Day (1996), where he starred opposite Will Smith. His performance as a calm yet resolute leader in a world under occupation remains one of the most iconic roles of his career.

Bill Pullman was born on December 17, 1953, in Hornell, New York, USA, as the youngest child of a family with seven children. His father James Pullman was a doctor, and his mother Johanna Pullman was a nurse. His full name is William James Pullman. Describing himself as shy, timid, and socially awkward during his childhood, Bill Pullman graduated from Hornell High School in 1971. After graduation, he initially decided to study structural engineering at a Technical Institute. However, encouraged by his drama teacher, he turned toward acting and transferred to the State University of New York at Oneonta. After completing his theater education there, he pursued directing studies at the University of Massachusetts and later worked as a lecturer at Montana State University.

After two years as a university instructor, Bill Pullman returned to New York to continue his theater career. In 1985, he attracted widespread attention with his performance in the Broadway production of Sam Shepard’s play The Curse of the Starving Class. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he starred in Nanawatai, the first production of the Los Angeles Theater Center. His cinematic debut came in 1986 with Ruthless People / Ruthless People (1986), in which he acted alongside Danny DeVito and Bette Midler. This role marked an important step toward stardom, highlighting his soft gaze and subdued voice.

Following roles in The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), Bill Pullman portrayed a naïve and sensitive man who had never been in a relationship in The Accidental Tourist. He continued to play similar characters in films such as Singles, Sleepless in Seattle, and Sommersby. His career reached a new peak with While You Were Sleeping, where he played a man involved in a romantic relationship, marking a shift from his earlier roles.

In 1992, Bill Pullman appeared in the musical film Newsies alongside Christian Bale, Robert Duvall, and Ann-Margret. He later delivered an unconventional and critically praised performance in David Lynch’s Lost Highway / Lost Highway (1997), showcasing the full range of his acting abilities.

Bill Pullman achieved his second major breakthrough in Hollywood with Independence Day / Independence Day (1996), co-starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and Adam Baldwin. He reprised his role in the 2016 sequel, sharing the screen with Liam Hemsworth and Jeff Goldblum.

On January 3, 1987, Bill Pullman married modern dancer Tamara Hurwitz. The couple has three children: Maesa Pullman (born 1988), Jack Pullman (born 1989), and Lewis Pullman (born 1993).

In 2019, Bill Pullman appeared in Dark Waters / Dark Waters (2019), acting alongside Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, and Tim Robbins, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and enduring figure in American cinema.

Bill Pullman Filmography (Films and Television)

2020 – Covers (Feature Film)

2019 – Dark Waters (Harry Dietzler) (Feature Film)
2019 – The Coldest Game (Joshua Mansky) (Feature Film)

2018 – The Equalizer 2 (Brian Plummer) (Feature Film)

2017–2020 – The Sinner (Detective Harry Ambrose) (TV Series)
2017 – Trouble (Ben) (Feature Film)
2017 – The Ballad of Lefty Brown (Lefty Brown) (Feature Film)
2017 – Lean on Pete (Clyde) (Feature Film)
2017 – Battle of the Sexes (Jack Kramer) (Feature Film)

2016 – LBJ (Senator Ralph Yarborough) (Feature Film)
2016 – Brother Nature (Jerry Turley) (Feature Film)
2016 – Independence Day: Resurgence (Former President Thomas J. Whitmore) (Feature Film)

2015 – American Ultra (Raymond Krueger) (Feature Film)

2014 – Jessabelle (Brian Plummer) (Feature Film)
2014 – Red Sky (Captain John Webster) (Feature Film)
2014 – Cymbeline (Sicilius Leonatus) (Feature Film)

2013 – The Last Sin Eater (Himself) (Feature Film)

2012–2013 – 1600 Penn (U.S. President Dale Gilchrist) (TV Series)
2012 – Lola Versus (Lenny) (Feature Film)

2011 – Torchwood: Miracle Day (Oswald Danes) (TV Series)
2011 – Presumed Innocent (Rusty Sabich) (TV Film)
2011 – Too Big to Fail (Jamie Dimon) (TV Film)
2011 – Bringing Up Bobby (Kent) (Feature Film)

2010 – Peacock (Edmund French) (Feature Film)
2010 – Rio Sex Comedy (William) (Feature Film)
2010 – Nature vs. Arthur (Arthur) (TV Film)
2010 – The Killer Inside Me (Billy Bob Walker) (Feature Film)

2008 – Bottle Shock (Jim Barrett) (Feature Film)
2008 – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Kurt Moss) (TV Series)
2008 – Phoebe in Wonderland (Peter Lichten) (Feature Film)
2008 – Surveillance (Sam Hallaway) (Feature Film)
2008 – Your Name Here (William J. Frick) (Feature Film)

2007 – You Kill Me (Dave) (Feature Film)
2007 – Nobel Son (Max Mariner) (Feature Film)

2006 – Alien Autopsy (Morgan Banner) (Feature Film)
2006 – Scary Movie 4 (Henry Hale) (Feature Film)

2005 – Dear Wendy (Officer Krugsby) (Feature Film)
2005 – Revelations (Richard Massey) (TV Series)

2004 – Grudge (Peter Kirk) (Feature Film)
2004 – Tiger Cruise (Commander Dolan) (TV Film)

2003 – Ignition (Conor Gallagher) (Feature Film)

2002 – Igby Goes Down (Jason Slocumb) (Feature Film)
2002 – 29 Palms (Ticket Clerk) (Feature Film)

2001 – Night Visions (Major Ben Darnell) (TV Series)

2000 – Titan A.E. (Captain Joseph Korso – voice) (Feature Film)
2000 – Lucky Numbers (Detective Pat Lakewood) (Feature Film)
2000 – The Guilty (Callum Crane) (Feature Film)

1999 – Lake Placid (Jack Wells) (Feature Film)
1999 – Spy Games (Harry Howe / Ernie Halliday) (Feature Film)
1999 – Brokedown Palace (“Yankee” Hank Green) (Feature Film)

1998 – Zero Effect (Daryl Zero) (Feature Film)

1997 – End of Violence (Mike Max) (Feature Film)
1997 – Lost Highway (Fred Madison) (Feature Film)

1996 – Mr. Wrong (Whitman Crawford) (Feature Film)
1996 – Independence Day (President Thomas J. Whitmore) (Feature Film)

1995 – While You Were Sleeping (Jack Callaghan) (Feature Film)
1995 – Casper (Dr. James Harvey) (Feature Film)

1994 – Wyatt Earp (Ed Masterson) (Feature Film)
1994 – The Last Seduction (Clay Gregory) (Feature Film)

1993 – Sommersby (Orin Meecham) (Feature Film)
1993 – Sleepless in Seattle (Walter) (Feature Film)

1992 – Singles (Dr. Jamison) (Feature Film)
1992 – Newsies (Bryan Denton) (Feature Film)
1992 – A League of Their Own (Bob Hinson) (Feature Film)

1991 – Liebestraum (Paul Kessler) (Feature Film)

1990 – The Tracey Ullman Show (Sheldon Moss) (TV Series)

1989 – Cold Feet (Buck Latham) (Feature Film)

1988 – The Serpent and the Rainbow (Dennis Alan) (Feature Film)
1988 – Rocket Gibraltar (Crow Black) (Feature Film)
1988 – The Accidental Tourist (Julian) (Feature Film)

1987 – Spaceballs (Lone Starr) (Feature Film)

1986 – Cagney & Lacey (Dr. Giordano) (TV Series)
1986 – Ruthless People (Earl Mott) (Feature Film)

Source: Biyografiler.com