Fred Dalton Thompson, a former U.S. senator for Tennessee and actor who starred on "Law & Order" between 2002 and 2007, died on Sunday from lymphoma at the age of 73 in Nashville, his family said in a statement.
"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," reads the statement from his family, according to The Tennessean.
Thompson, who was born in Sheffield, Ala., was an assistant U.S. attorney in 1972 when he was appointed campaign manager for Republican Sen. Howard Baker's re-election, according to People.
Thompson later served as the committee counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee, that was investigating the alleged crimes by the Richard Nixon administration. Thompson famously grilled former White House aide Alexander Butterfield about recording devices within the president's office during a hearing, which eventually led to Nixon's resignation.
After serving on the committee, Thompson worked as a lobbyist for two decades before starting his acting career by playing himself in 1985's "Marie," the film adaptation of one of his high-profile cases. Thompson successfully won a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1994 when he ran for then-Vice President Al Gore's remaining term in the Senate. He won re-election in 1996, but decided not to run again in 2002.
After "Marie," Thompson bagged roles in films like "The Hunt for Red October" and "Die Hard 2," but he was best known for playing the role of Arthur Branch in NBC's "Law & Order."
Thompson took a break from Hollywood to focus on the Republican presidential nomination for the 2008 election, however, he lost to Sen. John McCain, after which he returned to the acting world.
Thompson is survived by five children, three of them from his first marriage with Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey and two from his second marriage to Jeri Kehn Thompson, according to BBC News.
Several celebrities, including Elisabeth Rohm, who was Thompson's co-star on "Law & Order," Tim McGraw, Michael McKean and Lou Diamond Phillips have taken to social media to pay tribute to him.
It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to Fred Thompson. Devastated to hear this sad news & Sending love and prayers to his family#RIP
— Elisabeth Rohm (@ElisabethRohm) November 1, 2015
Our family was saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Fred Thompson. He was a good man and our prayers are with his family — Tim McGraw (@TheTimMcGraw) November 1, 2015
Met Fred Thompson once & he was awfully nice. Underrated, too. Thought he would have made a wonderful Big Daddy in Hot Tin Roof. RIP — Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) November 1, 2015
RIP former senator and actor Fred Thompson. A statesman and a true gentleman, I was honored to experience his warmth and kindness.
— Lou Diamond Phillips (@LouDPhillips) November 1, 2015
