There were two well-known sides to Fred Thompson: the politician, who served as a U.S. senator for eight years, and the actor, identified with down-to-earth, plain-speaking roles. Probably his most notable turn was as D.A. Arthur Branch in "Law & Order" and its spinoffs, which he played for five years and more than 100 episodes.
There were two well-known sides to Fred Thompson: the politician, who served as a U.S. senator for eight years, and the actor, identified with down-to-earth, plain-speaking roles. Probably his most notable turn was as D.A. Arthur Branch in "Law & Order" and its spinoffs, which he played for five years and more than 100 episodes.
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One of Thompson's earliest parts was in "Wiseguy," the well-reviewed CBS series in which Ken Wahl played an undercover FBI agent. Thompson had three episodes in 1988 as Knox Pooley, a con man and white supremacist leader.
One of Thompson's earliest parts was in "Wiseguy," the well-reviewed CBS series in which Ken Wahl played an undercover FBI agent. Thompson had three episodes in 1988 as Knox Pooley, a con man and white supremacist leader.
CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
In 1990's "Die Hard 2," Thompson (with Dennis Franz, left) played the chief of Dulles Airport, where some criminals were engaging in a high-stakes terrorist plot.
In 1990's "Die Hard 2," Thompson (with Dennis Franz, left) played the chief of Dulles Airport, where some criminals were engaging in a high-stakes terrorist plot.
20th Century Fox/Everett Collection
Thompson was Jim Robinson in the 1993 HBO film "Barbarians at the Gate," a businessman entangled in the machinations of the RJR Nabisco merger. Also starring were Leilani Sarelle, James Garner and Joanna Cassidy.
Thompson was Jim Robinson in the 1993 HBO film "Barbarians at the Gate," a businessman entangled in the machinations of the RJR Nabisco merger. Also starring were Leilani Sarelle, James Garner and Joanna Cassidy.
HBO/Everett Collection
After "Law & Order," Thompson moved between TV and movies. In "The Good Wife," he was part of a lawsuit handled by the show's firm of Lockhart & Gardner.
After "Law & Order," Thompson moved between TV and movies. In "The Good Wife," he was part of a lawsuit handled by the show's firm of Lockhart & Gardner.
CBS
In 2010's "Alleged," a film about the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, Thompson played William Jennings Bryan, the orator and former presidential candidate. The cast also included Brian Dennehy and Colm Meaney.
In 2010's "Alleged," a film about the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, Thompson played William Jennings Bryan, the orator and former presidential candidate. The cast also included Brian Dennehy and Colm Meaney.
Two Shoes Productions
The 2010 film "Secretariat," about the 1973 Triple Crown winner, starred Thompson and Diane Lane.
The 2010 film "Secretariat," about the 1973 Triple Crown winner, starred Thompson and Diane Lane.
Walt Disney Company/Everett Collection
In 2012's "The Last Ride," a biography of country star Hank Williams, Thompson was part of a cast that included Henry Thomas and Kaley Cuoco.
In 2012's "The Last Ride," a biography of country star Hank Williams, Thompson was part of a cast that included Henry Thomas and Kaley Cuoco.
Mozark Productions
2014's "Persecuted" starred Thompson as a clergyman, Father Charles Luther. The cast included James Remar, Bruce Davison, Gretchen Carlson and Dean Stockwell.
2014's "Persecuted" starred Thompson as a clergyman, Father Charles Luther. The cast included James Remar, Bruce Davison, Gretchen Carlson and Dean Stockwell.
Indieproductions