Bill Sage
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1962-04-03
    • Born Place: New York City, New York, USA
  • Also Known As:

    William Sage , William Sage III

Bill Sage

Bill Sage (born William Sage III; April 3, 1962) is a seasoned American character actor known for his commanding screen presence and prolific career in independent cinema. Born and raised in New York City, Sage graduated from the State University of New York at Purchase, where he laid the foundation for a career that has spanned over 140 theater, film, and television productions. He is perhaps best known for his long-standing collaboration with director Hal Hartley, becoming a staple of the 1990s indie film scene with roles in cult classics like The Unbelievable Truth (1989), Trust (1990), and Simple Men (1992). Sage's versatility has allowed him to move seamlessly between gritty dramas and high-intensity horror, earning critical acclaim for his role as the patriarch Frank Parker in the cannibalistic thriller We Are What We Are (2013) and David Van Patten in the satirical slasher American Psycho (2000). In the 2021 reimagining of Wrong Turn, Sage delivered a menacing and grounded performance as John Venable, the leader of the isolationist mountain community known as the Foundation. Unlike the supernatural or mutant villains of previous installments, Sage's Venable was portrayed as a complex, articulate, and fiercely protective leader, which many critics noted added a layer of modern social commentary to the film. His television career is equally extensive, featuring recurring roles in acclaimed series such as Boardwalk Empire (as Bill McCoy), Nurse Jackie, Orange Is the New Black, and Power. He also starred in the first season of the SundanceTV drama Hap and Leonard and made guest appearances in major procedurals like Law & Order: SVU and CSI.

Person History