CSI: Crime Scene Investigation star William Petersen was hospitalized while filming the new CBS spin-off, CSI: Vegas, on Friday. Petersen, 68, fell ill on set and told the director he needed a break, but an ambulance was later called to take him to a nearby hospital, his representatives told TMZ Sunday. The actor is playing Gil Grissom, the same character he played for the first nine seasons of CSI, in the new series.
After Petersen asked the director if he could take a break, it became clear he might need medical attention. He was rushed to a nearby hospital out of an abundance of caution, his rep told TMZ. It’s not clear what the health emergency was, but his representative said the actor was working long days for the past 12 weeks while filming CSI: Vegas. This might have been a case of exhaustion or overexertion. Petersen has since been released from the hospital, but it is not known if he has resumed filming.
Petersen was the face of the CSI franchise during its first nine seasons, and he made later appearances in a Season 11 episode. He also guest-starred in the feature-length finale, “Immortality” in 2015. Jorja Fox, Wallace Langham, and Paul Guilfoyle are also returning for the new CSI: Vegas series. Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mel Rodriguez, Mandeep Dhillon, and Jamie McShane joined in new roles.
This is a breaking story and will continue to be updated.