William Sanderson

It requires a performer of tremendous ability to make an indelible impression in a supporting role, but actor William Sanderson has made a career out of creating characters who are seared indelibly in the memory. From hit sitcoms to the hottest dramas on HBO, his work spans a wide variety of genres and styles in which he renders his often simple-minded, small-town characters with precision. Currently Sanderson can be seen as Sherriff Bud Dearborne on the award-winning HBO series “True Blood,” created by Alan Ball, a part which critics say he performs as a “master of understated comic delivery.” The show’s award-winning first season will be released on DVD in May, and the second season begins airing in June. The role follows his three seasons as the skittery hotel proprietor E.B. Farnum on HBO’s epic “Deadwood,” which saw him starring opposite Ian McShane. Later this spring, Sanderson will also guest star in the blockbuster series “Lost,” playing a Hunter S. Thompson-type character. He can also be seen in the recently released DVD of the Emmy-Award winning 1997 miniseries “George Wallace,” sharing the screen with no less than Gary Sinise and Angelina Jolie. Just because his offbeat portrayals of small-minded, small-towners in “True Blood” and “Deadwood” follow Sanderson’s memorable roles in projects like “Gods and Generals,” “Lonesome Dove” and his hilarious turn as Larry, the quirky backwoodsman, on the long-running sitcom “Newhart,” don’t mistake the man for the parts he plays. A native of Memphis, Tennessee and a lifelong Elvis fan, Sanderson also has a law degree, and studied acting in New York with theatre legends Herbert Berghof and William Hickey. One of his earliest film roles was as the brilliant toy maker in Ridley Scott’s science-fiction classic “Blade Runner,” and his TV appearances also include guest starring roles on “ER,” “The X-Files,” “The Practice” and “Without a Trace.” Sanderson recently wrapped the indie film "Pretty Ugly People," with