
William Ragsdale
Acting
Born 1961-01-19 · El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
William Ragsdale (born Robert William Ragsdale) is an American actor. He graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas studying religion and humanities. His parents gave him a graduation present in the form of tuition for the Drama Studio London’s American school at Berkeley, California. He's known for playing teenaged vampire slayer Charley Brewster in the horror vampire film Fright Night. He also garnered attention onstage in Neil Simon's plays, Biloxi Blues and Brighton Beach Memoirs, two of the three parts of Simon's trilogy, which ends with Broadway Bound. He starred in the romance comedy movie Mannequin Two: On the Move (1991). He featured for three years as Herman Brooks in the series Herman's Head, had a brief recurring role in the television series Judging Amy, and played television producer Rob Fields on the series Grosse Pointe, which lasted one season. He starred in the short-lived sitcom Brother's Keeper, and appeared on Ellen as the boyfriend of Ellen Morgan (played by Ellen DeGeneres) before her character revealed her homosexuality. He's had numerous guest roles on television throughout the years, including multi-episode stints on Less than Perfect, Necessary Roughness, Mistresses, Search Party, and Younger, as well as small feature movie roles. He played the role of Gary Hawkins in 12 episodes of the drama series Justified, during the series' first three seasons. In 2014, he played Chris Smith in the remake of the movie Left Behind.
Filmography

The Barn Part III
May 23, 2026

Re-Election
Oct 10, 2025

Renfield
Apr 7, 2023

In Search of Darkness: Part III
Nov 25, 2022

Alex Strangelove
Apr 16, 2018

A Very Merry Toy Store
Nov 26, 2017

You're So Cool, Brewster! The Story of Fright Night
Dec 2, 2016

Left Behind
Oct 3, 2014

Broken City
Jan 18, 2013

Thunderstruck
Aug 24, 2012

Living Proof
Oct 18, 2008

What Just Happened
Oct 17, 2008

The Reaping
Apr 4, 2007

LA Blues
Apr 4, 2007

Road House 2: Last Call
Jul 18, 2006

For One Night
Feb 5, 2006

Big Momma's House 2
Jan 26, 2006

Romy and Michele: In the Beginning
May 30, 2005

The Madam's Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel
Oct 31, 2004

Just a Little Harmless Sex
Jun 11, 1999

National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins
Nov 12, 1995

Frankenstein: The College Years
Oct 28, 1991

Mannequin Two: On the Move
May 17, 1991

Fright Night Part 2
Apr 7, 1988

Smooth Talk
Nov 17, 1985

Fright Night
Aug 2, 1985

Screams of a Winter Night
Jan 26, 1979