Former Senator and Actor Fred Thompson Has Died

Fred Thompson, a former Tennessee Senator, presidential candidate, and film and TV actor, passed away earlier today at the age of 73.

The Nashville Tennesseean received a statement from Thompson’s family, stating that the former politician succumbed to his battle with recurring lymphoma.

“It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that we share the passing of our brother, husband, father, and grandfather who died peacefully in Nashville surrounded by his family,” the statement reads.

Thompson’s political legacy began in 1967 when he started working as an assistant U.S. attorney. He saw many political appointments throughout his career, such as operating as a campaign manager for Sen. Howard Baker, a councilman to the committee investigating Richard Nixon for Watergate, and serving on the Senate from 1994 to 2003.

Thompson also had an extensive career as an actor, appearing in films like Die Hard 2 in 1990, and had a recurring role on Law & Order.

After moving away from acting, Thompson went back to politics and launched a run for the White House during the 2008 elections. Thompson’s campaign didn’t receive significant traction in any of the primary states, and he decided to drop out in January 2008.

[Image via Flickr]

— —

>> Follow Ken Meyer (@KenMeyer91) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!