William Petersen Explains Why He Is Leaving CSI
After 9 years on CSI, actor William Petersen is ready to take more difficult challenges. Petersen says he is tired of playing Gil Grissom and not even money can make him change his mind this time.
Petersen says: “It’s ‘CSI’ they pay me a lot of money, and I don’t have to work very hard anymore. I’ve got it all figured out. And I just realized, God, as an artist, I’m going to atrophy.
You do anything for nine years, it becomes somewhat rote. I didn’t want to be on the show because they were paying me money and I liked the money. I didn’t want to be on the show because it saved me from having to go look for other jobs. Just didn’t want it. It was too safe for me at this point. So I needed to try and break that, and the way to do that, for me, is the theater.”
From producer to executive producer, Petersen has been planning the best way to leave the show after Sarah (Jorja Fox) left Vegas and Warricks (Gary Dourdan) tragic death.
“I won’t miss Grissom,” says Petersen matter-of-factly. “It was a complete life for me that’s reached its end, and it’s reached it in the right way, I think. So I won’t miss Grissom. And I hope that the audience won’t miss him either.”
I will miss Grissom, Ill miss Warrick more! Actor Laurence Fishburne is set to replace Grissom and he knows it will be a difficult job but he is not scared at all about the reaction of CSI die-hard fans.
Adds Fishburne, “Billy was the daddy of the whole thing and Daddy was leaving. Then in comes Uncle Fish. A lot of people didn’t know what to expect.”
I think it will be a nice change to have such a badass actor on the CSI night shift team. Cant wait to see Uncle Fish kicking Catherines (Marg Helgenberger) ass!!
[Images by WENN]
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Hi I live in the beautiful land of SA and we are currently watching season 9 of csi Las Vagas, I am so sad that Grisson is leaving , I totally love his character to bits, but I respect his decision as an individual and as the best and 1 of the most brilliant actors of out time. I wish you all the luck and happiness and love for your future. Go well Mr William Peterson (Grissom)
The man replacing William has to be an “intelligent” man as CSI work is mostly technical. I think William has big shoes to fill. I will definitely miss him too.
I miss Grissom, but I hope Wialliam has a good future. Must admit that I was also very sad when Gary left. Good luck to you all - I think CSI Las Vegas and CSI New York are two of the best series that ever came across the TV!