BY KAREN YOUNG
Toluca Lake resident William Sanderson is perhaps one of the most versatile character actors working in both film and television today. His body of work has run the gamut from drama to westerns to comedy to science fiction. Currently starring in the HBO series True Blood as the self-assured Sheriff Bud Dearborne, Sanderson was last seen as the depraved, yet darkly comedic E.B. Farnam in another acclaimed HBO series, Deadwood. Lost fans also know him for his guest starring role as the torturer, Oldham.
William Sanderson
A Memphis native with a law degree, Sanderson quips that he originally specialized in roles that he calls “prairie scum.” All that changed with two inspired castings. First, director Ridley Scott cast him as the brilliant, gentle toymaker in the now classic science fiction film Blade Runner. Shortly thereafter, what he thought was a one time guest role turned in a successful eight-year run as the quirky backwoodsman “Larry” in the CBS sitcom Newhart.
His credits are far too numerous to list, but some of the highlights include The Client, The Rocketeer, Last Man Standing, The Onion Field and Coal Miners Daughter. His recent film projects include the family film Treasure of Painted Forest, Disappearances and Pretty Ugly People. Television audiences have seen also seen his versatility in such shows as ER, The X Files, Monk and Without a Trace.
Here is William Sanderson’s take on living in the San Fernando Valley.
Q. How long have you lived in the Valley?
A. 15 years
Q. What brought you to the Valley?
A. A pink house with a swimming pool and guest house. We put our West Hollywood house up for sale and it sold in a few days and the people wanted to close escrow in 30 days. We decided to rent something while we took our time looking around for a new house. We loved it there and ended up staying there for 5 years.
Q. What’s the best thing about the Valley?
A. The ease of getting to all other points of the greater Los Angeles area.
Q. Who’s the funniest person in the Valley?
A. My wife. She has a very quick wit.
Q. What can you get in the Valley you can’t get anywhere else?
A. Less showbizzy (is that a word?), more real life.
William Sanderson as the depraved, yet darkly comedic Sherrif E.B. Farnam on HBO's Deadwood. Photo courtesy HBO
Q. What’s the Valley’s number one treasure (in your mind)?
A. The Toluca Lake section of Burbank – where I’ve lived for the past 10 years.
Q. What is the biggest misconception about the Valley?
A. That it isn’t a good place to work and live.
Q. What do you usually do on a weekend morning?
A. Walk to the local Starbucks for coffee . Chat with neighbors. Buy the Daily News to read the sports section and see if there are any games on TV.
Q. What are some of your favorite restaurants?
A. In the Valley they are Prosecco, Bistro Provence, Café Bizou, and Philly’s Best
Q. What are some of your favorite stores?
A. I don’t enjoy shopping but I do like going to the CVS drug store near my home and the Target at the Empire Center.
William Sanderson as Sheriff Bud Dearborne on HBO's True Blood. Photo courtesy HBO
Q. If you could have something (place, thing, person, business) in the Valley that’s not here right now, what would it be?
A. My son and grandson – they live on the east coast.
Q. What is a quintessential Valley place?
A. Bob’s Big Boy restaurant in Burbank and the Studio City stretch of Ventura Blvd.
Q. How do you relax in the Valley?
A. Taking walks, reading, and lounging by the pool.
Q. Do you have a favorite place in the Valley? A secret place? A hideaway?
A. My neighborhood.
Q. If you didn’t live in the Valley, where would you live?
A. As long as I’m in Los Angeles, I’ll live in The Valley. When I leave The Valley it will probably be for New York and/or Pennsylvania – we already have a house in Pennsylvania.
KAREN YOUNG is the Publisher/Editor of MY DAILY FIND.
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