William Baldwin – Biography, Movies, and Net Worth

William Baldwin, born William Joseph Baldwin on February 21, 1963, in Massapequa, New York, is an American actor and producer who rose to fame in the early 1990s with films like Flatliners, Backdraft, and Sliver. As the fourth of the five Baldwin brothers, he carved out his own career while remaining part of one of Hollywood’s most famous acting families.

After studying political science at Binghamton University, Baldwin shifted to acting, landing his first major role in the TV movie The Preppie Murder in 1989. His feature-film debut came later that year in Born on the Fourth of July. Over the following decades, he built a diverse filmography that includes both big-budget blockbusters and independent productions.

Who Are William Baldwin’s Siblings?

• William Baldwin is the fourth of the five Baldwin brothers, a famous acting family.
• He gained prominence in the early 1990s with roles in major Hollywood films.
• He is married to singer Chynna Phillips and has three children.
• He is actively involved in breast cancer research fundraising through the Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund.
• He maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @thebillybaldwin.

William Baldwin is the third of the four acting Baldwin brothers, with Alec and Daniel older and Stephen younger. The Baldwin brothers family tree shows the close ties that have kept this acting clan in the public eye for decades.

What Movies Is William Baldwin Known For?

Early Breakthrough Roles

Baldwin first gained attention in the TV movie The Preppie Murder (1989), playing Robert Chambers. His feature-film debut followed in Born on the Fourth of July the same year. He became a recognizable leading man in the early 1990s through Internal Affairs (1990), Flatliners (1990), Backdraft (1991), and Sliver (1993).

Later Career and Television

In the years that followed, Baldwin worked in a mix of films and television, including Virus (1999), Double Bang (2001), The Squid and the Whale (2005), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). He also appeared in the series Dirty Sexy Money (2007–2009), Gossip Girl, and Parenthood. For fans of the era, the Best 1990s action movies list includes several of Baldwin’s defining performances.

How Many Children Does William Baldwin Have?

Marriage to Chynna Phillips

William Baldwin married singer Chynna Phillips in 1995. The couple has been together for three decades, raising their family in a relatively private setting compared to some of his siblings.

Father of Three

He has three children: Jameson, Vance, and Brooke. While the children have occasionally appeared in public with their father, the family generally keeps details of their personal lives out of the spotlight.

What Is William Baldwin’s Net Worth?

Estimates place William Baldwin’s net worth at approximately $10 million as of 2025. This figure comes from his decades of work in film and television, along with producing and writing credits. However, exact financial details are not publicly available.

What Was William Baldwin’s First Movie?

Baldwin’s first on-screen role was in the TV movie The Preppie Murder (1989). His feature-film debut came later that year in Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July. Below is a timeline of key milestones in his career.

1. 1963 Born in Massapequa, New York.
2. 1989 Film debut in The Preppie Murder (TV movie).
3. 1990 Breakthrough role in Flatliners.
4. 1991 Starred in Backdraft.
5. 1993 Starred in Sliver.
6. 1995 Married Chynna Phillips.
7. 2005 Appeared in The Squid and the Whale.
8. 2008 Appeared in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
9. 2020s Active in charity work and social media.

Is William Baldwin Retired from Acting?

Information about a possible retirement is unclear. Baldwin has not announced any plans to stop acting; he continues to take on occasional projects and is highly active on social media.

How Did William Baldwin’s Career Evolve Over Time?

William Baldwin’s career trajectory reflects the typical arc of a 1990s Hollywood star who transitioned from leading man to character actor and producer. His early success in high-profile films like Flatliners and Backdraft established him as a bankable star. Unlike his brother Alec, however, he did not sustain leading-man status into the 2000s. Instead, he diversified into producing and writing while maintaining a steady presence in independent films and television. His marriage to Chynna Phillips and his active role in raising their three children kept him in the public eye, as did his philanthropic work. His social media presence offers a direct, unfiltered view of his current life and interests.

Where Can I Find Reliable Information About William Baldwin?

William Joseph Baldwin was born in Massapequa, New York on February 21, 1963, and later studied political science at Binghamton University before entering entertainment.

— Rotten Tomatoes

For a comprehensive biography, William Baldwin on Wikipedia provides a regularly updated overview. His filmography is detailed on IMDb, and his current activities can be followed on Instagram. Additional context about his charity work is available through the Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund. TV Guide also maintains a credits list for the actor.

What’s Next for William Baldwin?

William Baldwin continues to be active on social media and in charity work. He has several projects in the pipeline for 2025, including No Address, God’s Soldier, and BitterSweet. His focus appears to be on family, philanthropy, and selective acting roles.

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