William H. Wisher Jr., a producer and screenwriter who co-wrote The Terminator and worked with James Cameron on Terminator 2: Judgment Day, died on Tuesday, July 14, at the age of 71. His family confirmed the news in a statement, saying he "passed away peacefully at home." They did not reveal a cause of death.
The statement read: "William believed that stories have the power to connect people across generations. While the world celebrates the unforgettable films he helped create, we will remember him for his kindness, his humour, his brilliant imagination, and the love he gave so freely to his family and friends. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time."
Breakthrough with James Cameron
His breakthrough came in his late 20s when he first collaborated with filmmaker James Cameron on the development of The Terminator. The two exchanged ideas throughout the writing process, with William contributing to several key sequences, particularly those involving Sarah Connor (played by Linda Hamilton) and the police station.
For Terminator 2: Judgment Day, his role was expanded to full co-writer, sharing screenplay credit with Cameron after working closely on the script again.
Memorable Cameo Appearances
Eagle-eyed viewers can also spot William in cameo appearances in both Terminator films, as well as The Abyss. In The Terminator, he popped up as Officer 1L19, an LAPD police officer who encounters the relentless T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger). After being attacked and left incapacitated beside his patrol car, the Terminator steals the vehicle and uses the officer’s identity over police radio communications as part of its mission to find Sarah Connor.
He returned for a small role in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, where he played a man shopping with his girlfriend who captures the now-iconic moment when the T-800 rises after being thrown through a store window. Cameron later confirmed that the character in both films was intended to be the same person, providing an easter egg for fans and a subtle connection between the two stories.
He also appeared in Cameron’s 1989 science-fiction thriller The Abyss, where he played news reporter Bill Tyler.
Other Film Credits
His CV also includes many other hugely popular science fiction and horror movies, including 1995's Judge Dredd, 1999's The 13th Warrior, 2004's Exorcist: The Beginning, 2005's Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist, and 2016's big screen remake of Stephen King's IT.
Tributes from Colleagues
Terminator producer Gale Anne Hurd paid tribute to the star, writing: "Such terribly sad news…Bill was not only integral to THE TERMINATOR, but he was such an all-around great guy. RIP."
On Facebook, another friend penned: "A dear friend and mentor passed away here last week. He was a very talented storyteller and made the world a better place. He will be missed and taught me a lot. Rest in Peace William Wisher."
A third chimed in: "Plenty of films he worked on are in my collection. Sorry to hear of his passing. He always seemed like a nice gentleman." Meanwhile, a fourth opined: "He worked on some great stuff and was obviously a very talented writer who should have gotten more credit whilst he was alive. Condolences to all who knew him."
