The Star, March 2001

Q: William Petersen makes CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation must-see TV for me. Where did he come from? And what's he like?

He keeps a home in Chicago, where he has family, but lives in L.A. because he's a workaholic who not only stars in the top-rated drama but also produces it. "Which makes this single guy lousy date material," he tells us. "I don't have any time. When I retire, I may go out." That may be a while. At 47, Petersen, who has had a solid but low-key film career, is now finding a wider audience. His Gil Grissom character is the center of the show. Is he ever creeped out by Grissom's ghoulish work? "I'm fascinated. I'm becoming really interested in bugs, maggots and tarantulas" -- which still doesn't make him good date material

Petersen's brush with the law

William Petersen is senior forensics officer Gil Grissom, a bug expert who'd rather watch ants mate than romance some sexy Las Vegas Showgirl.

Ironically, his character is bent on bringing criminals to justice, but Petersen, who's divorced and has a daughter, Maite, 25, has a criminal record.

He spends time in an Idaho slammer in the early'70s for drugs.

"It was for the usual stuff," admits Petersen, 47.

"Drugs, protest and general brattiness."

He ran away from home at 15 and went to work as a lumberjack.

He was frequently homeless.

He says:

"Basically, I lived as a freak."