Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator from Tennessee who is also known for his role on Law & Order, died on Sunday. The 73-year-old died after a recurrence of lymphoma, according to a statement from his family.
"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 to the Tennessean reads.
"Fred believed that the greatness of our nation was defined by the hard work, faith, and honesty of its people,” his family said. “He had an enduring belief in the exceptionalism of our country, and that America could provide the opportunity for any boy or girl, in any corner of our country, to succeed in life."
Thompson spent the majority of his adult life switching between politics and acting. He announced that he would seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2007, but dropped out of the race in 2008 after an unsuccessful campaign, according to the New York Times. He served in the Senate from 1994 through 2003. During the Watergate scandal, he served as Republican counsel on the Senate Watergate Committee.
Thompson, a lawyer in real life, joined the cast of Law & Order to play Manhattan District Attorney Arthur Branch in 2002. He also guest-starred on The Good Wife for multiple episodes.