Biography
William Joseph Devane (born September 5, 1937) is an American actor known for his work in film, television, and theater. He is best recognized for his role as Greg Sumner on the primetime soap opera Knots Landing and as James Heller on the Fox drama series 24, a role he reprised in Live Another Day. Devane has also appeared in 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, performing in 15 plays. In 1966, he portrayed Robert F. Kennedy in the Off-Broadway satire MacBird. He received acclaim for playing President John F. Kennedy in the television docudrama The Missiles of October, centered on the Cuban Missile Crisis, and for his portrayal of blacklisted radio personality John Henry Faulk in the Emmy-winning TV movie Fear on Trial. He is widely known for his decade-long role as the ambitious and tough politician-turned-corporate leader Greg Sumner on Knots Landing.
In 1994, Devane appeared as Al Capone in an episode titled "That Old Gang of Mine" on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He also had a recurring role on the CBS series Early Edition as the father of the main character. His film credits include 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 portrayed members of the Presidential Cabinet in two prime-time dramas. In 2004, he guest-starred on The West Wing as the Secretary of State and potential Vice Presidential nominee, sharing several scenes with Martin Sheen. Notably, thirty years earlier, they had played President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert, respectively, in The Missiles of October. In 2005, Devane joined the cast of 24 as Secretary of Defense James Heller, appearing in seasons 4, 5, and 6.
