Some actors become so tied to their roles that audiences can’t help but remember them decades later.
This week in Los Angeles, fans were treated to a nostalgic sighting of William Atherton — the actor whose sharp-tongued characters in two iconic ’80s blockbusters made him both unforgettable and, at times, infamous.
Now 78, Atherton looked lively and well as he stepped out for errands.
Casual Outing in Los Angeles
The veteran actor was seen sporting a relaxed look: a sky-blue shirt left untucked over loose black trousers, topped off with a bold pair of burnt-orange sunglasses.
His stop at the dry cleaner’s may have been ordinary, but his presence reminded many of the enduring impact of his career.
Remarkably, Atherton has held onto the dark blonde hair fans remember from his days on the big screen.
A Breakthrough with Spielberg and Goldie Hawn
Atherton’s Hollywood journey began in the 1970s.
His breakout came in The Sugarland Express (1974), Steven Spielberg’s feature-length debut, where he starred opposite Goldie Hawn as escaped convict Clovis.
The film followed Clovis and his wife Lou Jean on a desperate mission to retrieve their child from foster care, setting the stage for Atherton’s rise in the industry.
Ghostbusters: The Role That Stuck
A decade later, Atherton secured the role that would define him for many moviegoers: Walter Peck, the rigid EPA inspector in Ghostbusters (1984).
Surrounded by a legendary cast — Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and more — Atherton’s character became both a thorn in the heroes’ side and a source of comic tension.
The portrayal was so convincing that it spilled into real life.
Atherton once admitted to director Ivan Reitman that people would challenge him in bars, while Harold Ramis recalled teenagers shouting “Yo, d***less!” from a bus as Atherton passed by on the street.
From Ghostbusters to Die Hard
In 1988, Atherton once again nailed the role of an unlikable character, this time as TV reporter Dick Thornburg in Die Hard.
Known for exploiting chaos for a story, Thornburg quickly became one of the most memorable supporting roles in Bruce Willis’ iconic action film.
Atherton reprised the part in Die Hard 2 (1990), further cementing his place in cinematic history.
Returning to Old Favorites
Atherton has shown remarkable staying power, even returning to his famous franchises decades later.
He appeared in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), reuniting with original cast members while bridging the gap to a new generation of stars like Paul Rudd and McKenna Grace.
Beyond His Famous Roles
Although best known for his ’80s characters, Atherton’s career has been rich and varied.
His credits span films like The Day of the Locust (1975), Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), Robert Redford’s The Great Gatsby (1974), and Tom Cruise’s The Last Samurai (2003).
On television, he has made guest appearances on hits such as Law & Order, Murder, She Wrote, Monk, and Desperate Housewives.
This year, he appeared in the indie film Where Did the Adults Go?, directed by Courtney Marsh, proving he’s still active in the industry after more than five decades.
A Career That Stays with Fans
For many, William Atherton will always be “Walter Peck” or “Dick Thornburg” — the smarmy, self-serving characters that audiences loved to hate.
Yet his longevity, versatility, and willingness to embrace those roles show just how deeply he has etched himself into Hollywood history.