You’ve seen the face. Even if you can’t quite place the name immediately, that Cheshire Cat grin and the silver hair are unmistakable. Whether he’s playing a Kennedy, a crooked politician, or the President of the United States, William Devane has a way of owning every room he walks into. But lately, people are asking one specific question: What is the actual William Devane age?
It’s a fair question. The guy seems to have been around forever, yet he still carries himself with the kind of energy most men half his age would envy.
As of January 2026, William Devane is 86 years old.
Born on September 5, 1939, in Albany, New York, Devane has spent over six decades in the spotlight. He hasn't just survived in Hollywood; he has thrived, moving from the stage to the height of primetime soaps and into the gritty world of modern prestige TV. Honestly, looking at his career is like taking a masterclass in longevity.
The Albany Roots of a Hollywood Titan
Devane wasn't born into Hollywood royalty, though his father, Joseph Devane, did have a brush with power. He served as the chauffeur for Franklin D. Roosevelt back when FDR was the Governor of New York. Maybe that’s where William got his knack for playing powerful, proximity-to-greatness characters.
He didn't just jump into acting. He worked for it. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he hit the off-Broadway circuit. His big break—or at least the one that set the tone for his career—was playing Robert F. Kennedy in the 1967 play MacBird.
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He has this "everyman" quality that’s somehow also "upper crust." It’s a weird mix.
Why William Devane Age Doesn't Slow Him Down
Most people in their 80s are looking for the nearest rocking chair. Not Devane. While he’s certainly scaled back from the breakneck pace of a 22-episode-a-season soap like Knots Landing, he hasn't exactly retired to a golf course in Florida—well, maybe he has a bit, but he’s still working.
His recent years have been a mix of character-driven guest spots and, famously, those gold commercials that seem to run on every news channel in America.
- Bosch: Legacy (2022): He showed up for a guest arc, proving his timing is still sharp as a razor.
- The Grinder (2015): Playing Rob Lowe's father, he reminded everyone he’s actually quite funny.
- Interstellar (2014): Even in a small role in a Christopher Nolan epic, he brings a certain weight to the screen.
Staying Sharp in His 80s
How does he do it? In interviews, Devane often credits his active lifestyle. He’s a huge polo enthusiast—a sport that is definitely not for the faint of heart or the physically frail. He also owns a horse ranch and has spent years running an Italian restaurant in Indio, California.
He’s lived a life outside of the "Hollywood bubble," which probably keeps him grounded. He's been married to his wife, Eugenie McCabe, since 1961. In an industry where marriages last about as long as a carton of milk, that’s a pretty staggering achievement.
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The "Presidential" Career of William Devane
If there is one thing William Devane is known for, it’s playing men of authority. He has played more politicians and high-ranking officials than almost anyone else in the business.
- The Missiles of October (1974): He played JFK. It was a massive performance that put him on the map.
- The West Wing: He stepped in as the Secretary of State, reuniting with Martin Sheen.
- 24: This might be his most famous modern role. As James Heller, he went from Secretary of Defense to the President of the United States in 24: Live Another Day.
- The Dark Knight Rises: Yep, he was the President there, too.
There’s a specific "Devane-ness" to these roles. He doesn't play leaders as perfect heroes. They’re often morally ambiguous, slightly cynical, and always smarter than they let on.
Addressing the Rumors
In 2026, when a celebrity reaches their mid-80s, the internet starts doing what it does best: speculating. You might see "health scares" or "retirement news" popping up in your feed.
The truth? Devane is notoriously private. He isn't on Instagram sharing his morning smoothie or posting "day in the life" TikToks. He lives on his ranches in California and Montana. He shows up, does the work, and then goes back to his horses.
That lack of "over-exposure" is exactly why he still feels fresh when he does appear on screen. He hasn't burned out the audience.
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The Legacy of Greg Sumner
We can't talk about William Devane without mentioning Knots Landing. For ten years, he was Greg Sumner. He was the guy you loved to hate, then hated to love, and then just loved. He brought a cinematic quality to a soap opera.
He refused to play the character as a caricature. Sumner was a shark, sure, but he had heart. It’s that complexity that makes people still search for him decades after the show went off the air.
What’s Next for the Actor?
At 86, William Devane is a rare breed. He belongs to a generation of actors who viewed the craft as a job—a prestigious one, but a job nonetheless. He doesn't seem interested in a "legacy tour."
If you want to see what makes him great, don't just look at his age. Look at his eyes in a scene. There’s always a twinkle there, like he’s in on a joke that the audience hasn't quite caught yet.
If you're looking to dive into his work, start with Rolling Thunder (1977) for his gritty film roots, then move to 24 to see how he commands a modern thriller. You’ll quickly realize that while the number 86 is just a fact, his talent is actually timeless.
To stay updated on his latest projects or potential appearances, your best bet is to follow trade publications like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter, as Devane himself stays far away from the social media noise.
Check out some of his classic performances on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime or Apple TV, where much of his 70s and 80s filmography has been recently remastered.