Fred Thompson Returning To Acting

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson is going back to the small screen after his foray into Republican presidential politics over the last year.

Thompson, best known on TV for his role as a gruff district attorney on NBC's "Law & Order," dropped out of the crowded GOP primaries in January after his much-anticipated presidential campaign failed to gain strong support among conservatives.

He campaigned heavily for eventual nominee John McCain, and had recently tried to gain support to be in charge of the Republican National Committee.

But his former finance chairman, B.C. "Scooter" Clippard, said Thompson told him Wednesday that he was returning to acting and dropping his RNC bid.

"He seriously considered it, but he called and said that it was not in the cards," Clippard said.

Clippard said he did not know which television programs might be interested in Thompson.

"He has some wonderful opportunities back in the television market that probably financially far outweigh being chair of the RNC," Clippard said.

Thompson, 66, was a lawyer and character actor before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1993, only to turn his back on politics after his first full term in favor of a full-time acting career in 2002.

Thompson began his acting career playing himself in the film "Marie" in 1985, about a high-profile legal case he handled in Tennessee.

And while his presidential ambitions didn't pan out, at least Thompson got to play the commander in chief as Ulysses S. Grant in the 2007 TV movie "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee."

Comments

[Skeptiqone]

This is really so funny. He should have received an Emmy for his speech at the RNC convention. Throughout the whole speech I was thinking how he was a character playing a part about a former senator that was endorsing a former rival. It was brilliantly delivered, with pauses for applause and tears.
Except on a show they would have edited out the coughing. In the last several years pundits have actually talked about the president's "performance" at a State of the Union speech....or someone;s "performance' on Meet the Press. People should be answering questions, not performing.

[bubbuh]

He had left acting?

[ilovedessert]

LOL

[OneTop]

Good one !

How could anyone tell the difference ?

[Strappo]

[VO with Fred shown snoring at his seat in Congress]: Fred will again light up the small screen with his vibrant energy and humanity.

At least they won't take him back at L&O.

[nancytheragingliberal]

He was so proud of his trophy wife, to the point where he thought that SHE would propel him to the WH. Hmm What is with these repubs? McCain thought Palin would click with woman. The only people she connected with were the crazies on the right and most the the regular repubs. 64% of them want her to run for Pres. I hope she gets the nod. She is W. in a skirt and lipstick. Bush is smarter though.

[mapleaforever]

Well, if this isn't the feel good story of the day. Thank you, God. Thank you.

[booboo111]

Please, someone tell me what show's he going to be on so I'll be sure TO MISS IT.

[loki]

Well, its about one of the few places you can make good money lying about everything except for politics, wall street, mortgage broker, or maybe an enterprising rental car sales person. Ive found out the hard way how bad rental car companies, green ones, lie.

[michie62]

He never did quit acting, see him in any of the debates? He should revive the character of Branch that he played on Law and Order, except this time Branch has gone bad and McCoy (great Democrat liberal intelligent Sam Waterston) and his DA's get to stick it to him!

[Avembe]

Pathetic!!!Thinking that this guy REALLY thought he could run for the presidency????!!???Unbelievable!!!

[jaundicedview]

(sigh) Great, now we get him....Wonder if he's willing to work non-union , and get caught doing it.

SAG rule 1!

[bluguy8]

please just stay there and act and btw shut up .

[ctman47]

I thought he was acting during his campaign. No wait that was pretending!

[maryyooch]

Thank God......Thompson is lousy as a politician. Acting should be his day job and he better hang on to it. It's all he knows how to do, except kiss a little reichwing a**.

[booboo111]

Attention insomniacs; catch him on any prime time show, and he'll put you to sleep for sure. A real "yawner"........he sure helped me!

[SouthernBlueBelle]

I never thought he quit acting. Last role was as a person who knew what he was talking about.

[Alvin4NY]

Apparently that wasn't much, aside from his name.

[dejayel]

Just when did he "start" acting? His performances in L & O were hardly acting. Anyone who can read line can do what he did....read lines. No emotion, no passion, to reason to do it. Just like his futile run for the POTUS.

[Jaybot]

And there are those who thought Thompson's political losses didn't have a downside.

[proudliberal4truth]

Sam Waterston has been doing ads for The Nation lately. I'd love to hear some of the offstage chats between him and Thompson.