Fred Thompson

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Template:Short description Template:Similar names Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox officeholder Freddie Dalton ThompsonTemplate:Refn (August 19, 1942 – November 1, 2015) was an American politician, attorney, lobbyist, columnist, actor, and radio personality. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a United States senator from Tennessee from 1994 to 2003. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the Republican Party presidential primaries for the 2008 United States presidential election.

He chaired the International Security Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of State, was a member of the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as a visiting fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, specializing in national security and intelligence.<ref>

Usually credited as Fred Dalton Thompson, he appeared in a number of movies and television shows including Matlock, The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard 2, In the Line of Fire, Days of Thunder, and Cape Fear, as well as in commercials. He frequently portrayed governmental authority figures and military men.<ref name="NYT941112">Template:Cite news</ref> In the final months of his U.S. Senate term in 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the NBC television series Law & Order, starring as Manhattan District Attorney Arthur Branch.<ref name="lawandorder"/>

Early life and education

Fred Thompson was born on August 19, 1942, at Colbert County Hospital (now Helen Keller Memorial Hospital) in Sheffield, Alabama.<ref>Template:Cite book </ref> He was the son of Ruth Inez (née Bradley) and Fletcher Session Thompson, a used car salesman born in Lauderdale County, Alabama, on August 26, 1919, and who died in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, on May 27, 1990. Thompson was of primarily English, and distant Dutch, ancestry.<ref>Fred Dalton Thompson Biography (1942–), filmreference.com</ref><ref name="thompsonancestry">Template:Cite web</ref>

He was raised in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, where he attended public schools and graduated from Lawrence County High School in 1960.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During high school, he played football, and afterward worked during the day at the local post office and at night in the Murray bicycle assembly plant.<ref name="Lawrimore" />

Thompson was raised attending churches of the Churches of Christ, and often credited his values to both his family upbringing and church teachings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a 2007 interview, he stated, "I attend church when I'm in Tennessee. I'm [living] in McLean right now. I don't attend regularly when I'm up there."<ref name="Chipman">Kim Chipman, "Thompson Says He's No Churchgoer, Won't Tout Religion on Stump", Bloomberg (September 11, 2007).</ref> Later in life, he occasionally attended Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, Virginia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He rarely spoke about religion during his 2008 presidential campaign, saying, "Me getting up and talking about what a wonderful person I am and that sort of thing, I'm not comfortable with that, and I don't think it does me any good."<ref name="Chipman" />

In September 1959, at age 17, Thompson married Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey after learning she was pregnant.<ref name="latimesmaibition">Template:Cite news</ref> Their first child, Freddie Dalton "Tony" Thompson Jr., was born in April 1960.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Two more children, Daniel and Elizabeth, followed soon after.<ref name=MC961201/>

Thompson initially enrolled at Florence State College (now the University of North Alabama), becoming the first in his family to attend college.<ref name="about">Template:Usurped, via imwithfred.com (archived official site, July 13, 2007).</ref> He later transferred to Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), where he earned a double major in philosophy and political science in 1964.<ref name="Lawrimore" /> He was then awarded a scholarship to attend Vanderbilt University Law School, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1967.<ref name="about" /> During this time, both he and Sarah worked to support their growing family and cover his education expenses.<ref name=MC961201/> The couple divorced in 1985.<ref name="lobbyigbecamfamily">Template:Cite news</ref>

Career as an attorney

Thompson was admitted to the state bar of Tennessee in 1967. At that time, he shortened his first name from Freddie to Fred.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He worked as an assistant U.S. attorney from 1969 to 1972,<ref>Fred Thompson Hometown Biography Template:Webarchive, Lawrenceburg Tennessee</ref> successfully prosecuting bank robberies and other cases.<ref name="Lawrimore" /> Thompson was the campaign manager for Republican U.S. Senator Howard Baker's re-election campaign in 1972, and was minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee in its investigation of the Watergate scandal (1973–1974).

In the 1980s, Thompson worked as an attorney, with law offices in Nashville and Washington, DC,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> handling personal injury claims and defending people accused of white collar crimes.<ref>Vogel, Kenneth. "Rivals Take Aim At Thompson", CBS News (June 12, 2007). Retrieved July 8, 2007.</ref> He also accepted appointments as special counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (1980–1981), special counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee (1982), and member of the Appellate Court Nominating Commission for the State of Tennessee (1985–1987).<ref name="Lawrimore" /><ref name="about" />

His clients included a German mining group and Japan's Toyota Motors Corporation.<ref name="MC961201" /> Thompson served on various corporate boards. He also did legal work and served on the board of directors for engineering firm Stone & Webster.<ref name="Dilanian" />

Role in Watergate hearings

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From left to right: Fred Thompson (minority counsel), Howard Baker, and Sam Ervin of the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973

In 1973, Thompson was appointed minority counsel to assist the Republican senators on the Senate Watergate Committee, a special committee convened by the U.S. Senate to investigate the Watergate scandal.<ref name="thompsoncooperates">Template:Cite news</ref> Thompson was sometimes credited for supplying Republican Senator Howard Baker's famous question, "What did the President know, and when did he know it?"<ref name="Lowy">Template:Cite news</ref> This question is said to have helped frame the hearings in a way that eventually led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon.<ref name="foxthompsonmulls">Template:Cite news</ref> The question remains popular and is often invoked by pundits commenting on political scandals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A Republican staff member, Donald Sanders, found out about the White House tapes and informed the committee on July 13, 1973. Thompson was informed of the existence of the tapes, and he, in turn, informed Nixon's attorney, J. Fred Buzhardt.<ref> Template:Cite news</ref> "Even though I had no authority to act for the committee, I decided to call Fred Buzhardt at home," Thompson later wrote,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> "I wanted to be sure that the White House was fully aware of what was to be disclosed so that it could take appropriate action."

Three days after Sanders's discovery, at a public, televised committee hearing, Thompson asked former White House aide Alexander Butterfield the famous question, "Mr. Butterfield, were you aware of the installation of any listening devices in the Oval Office of the President?" thereby publicly revealing the existence of tape recordings of conversations within the White House.<ref name=MC961201>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="thompsoncooperates" /> National Public Radio later called that session and the discovery of the Watergate tapes "a turning point in the investigation."<ref name="NPR">"Thompson's Watergate Role Not as Advertised" by Peter Obervy. National Public Radio. Published November 5, 2007</ref>

Thompson's appointment as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate committee reportedly upset Nixon, who believed Thompson was not skilled enough to interrogate unfriendly witnesses and would be outfoxed by the committee Democrats. According to historian Stanley Kutler, however, Thompson and Baker "carried water for the White House, but I have to give them credit—they were watching out for their interests, too ... They weren't going to mindlessly go down the tubes [for Nixon]."<ref name="Lowy"/>

Journalist Scott Armstrong, a Democratic investigator for the Senate Watergate Committee, is critical of Thompson for having disclosed the committee's knowledge of the tapes to Buzhardt during an ongoing investigation, and says Thompson was "a mole for the White House" and that Thompson's actions gave the White House a chance to destroy the tapes. Thompson's 1975 book At That Point in Time, in turn, accused Armstrong of having been too close to The Washington Post's Bob Woodward and of leaking committee information to him. In response to renewed interest in this matter, in 2007 during his presidential campaign, Thompson said, "I'm glad all of this has finally caused someone to read my Watergate book, even though it's taken them over 30 years."<ref name=kranish>Template:Cite news and Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Corruption case against Tennessee governor

In 1977, Thompson represented Marie Ragghianti, a former Tennessee Parole Board chair, who had been fired for refusing to release felons after they had bribed aides to Democratic Governor Ray Blanton to obtain clemency.<ref name="blanton">Fred Rolater, Leonard Ray Blanton, Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, 2002. Retrieved July 31, 2007.</ref> With Thompson's assistance, Ragghianti filed a wrongful termination suit against Blanton's office. In July 1978, a jury awarded Ragghianti $38,000 ($139,165.09 in 2016 dollars)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in back pay and ordered her reinstatement.<ref name="blanton"/>

Career as a lobbyist

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Thompson greeting President Ronald Reagan in 1983

Thompson earned about $1 million in total from his lobbying efforts. Except for the year 1981, his lobbying never amounted to more than one-third of his income.<ref name="appeal">Locker, Richard. "Thompson tells why lobbyist pay rose with GOP-led Senate", Commercial Appeal (November 5, 1994).</ref> According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

Fred Thompson earned about half a million dollars from Washington lobbying from 1975 through 1993  ... Lobbyist disclosure records show Thompson had six lobbying clients: Westinghouse, two cable television companies, the Tennessee Savings and Loan League, the Teamsters Union's Central States Pension Fund, and a Baltimore-based business coalition that lobbied for federal grants.<ref name="appeal" />

Thompson lobbied Congress on behalf of the Tennessee Savings and Loan League to pass the Garn–St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982, which deregulated the savings and loan industry.<ref name=MC961201/> A large congressional majority and President Ronald Reagan supported the act, but it was said to be a factor that led to the savings and loan crisis.<ref>Leibold, Arthur. "Some Hope for the Future After a Failed National Policy for Thrifts" in Barth, James et al. The Savings and Loan Crisis: Lessons from a Regulatory Failure, pages 58–59 (2004). Leibold cites Strunk and Case, Where Regulation Went Wrong: A Look at the Causes Behind Savings and Loan Failures in the 1980s, pages 14–16 (1988).</ref> Thompson received $1,600 for communicating with some congressional staffers on this issue.<ref name="appeal" />

When Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in 1991, Thompson made a telephone call to White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu advocating restoration of Aristide's government, but said that was as a private citizen, not on a paid basis on Aristide's behalf.<ref name="lobbying">Vogel, Kenneth. "'Law & Order' And Lobbying", Politico (April 2, 2007).</ref>

Billing records show that Thompson was paid for about 20 hours of work in 1991 and 1992 on behalf of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, a family planning group trying to ease a George H. W. Bush administration regulation on abortion counseling in federally funded clinics.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>The records show he spent much of that time in telephone conferences with the president of the group. He also spoke to administration officials on its behalf three times for a total of about three hours, but when or with whom in the administration Thompson spoke is unclear. When the work became controversial in 2007 in light of Thompson's anti-abortion stance and 2008 presidential campaign, a Thompson spokesperson said, "The [lobbying] firm consulted with Fred Thompson. It is not unusual for a lawyer to give counsel at the request of colleagues, even when they personally disagree with the issue." See Jo Becker, Records Show Ex-Senator's Work for Family Planning Unit, The New York Times, (July 19, 2007). Retrieved December 22, 2007.</ref>

After Thompson was elected to the Senate, two of his sons followed him into the lobbying business, but generally avoided clients where a possible conflict of interest might appear.<ref name="nyt070207">Template:Cite news</ref> When he left the Senate, some of his political action committee's fees went to the lobbying firm of one of his sons.<ref>Mullins, Brody. "Thompson PAC Benefits Son More Than Republicans," The Wall Street Journal (April 21, 2007).</ref>

Initial acting career

Marie Ragghianti's case became the subject of a book, Marie, which was written by Peter Maas and published in 1983. The film rights were purchased by director Roger Donaldson, who, after traveling to Nashville to speak with the people involved with the original case, asked Thompson if he wanted to play himself. The resulting film, Marie, was Thompson's first acting role and was released in 1985. Roger Donaldson then cast Thompson in the part of CIA director Marshall in the 1987 film No Way Out.<ref name=Hayes070502>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He played the head of FBI special-agent training in the 1988 comedy Feds; in the trailer, the FBI disclaimed any connection with the film. In 1990, he was cast as Ed Trudeau, the head of Dulles Airport, in the action sequel Die Hard 2, as Rear Admiral Painter in The Hunt for Red October, and as Big John, the President of NASCAR, in the movie Days of Thunder (patterned on 'Big' Bill France).

Thompson went on to be cast in many films including as Tom Broadbent in Cape Fear (1991) and White House Chief of Staff Harry Sargent in In the Line of Fire (1993). A 1994 New York Times profile wrote, "When Hollywood directors need someone who can personify governmental power, they often turn to him."<ref name="NYT941112"/> He also appeared in several television shows including Roseanne, Matlock and (eventually) a role on Law & Order.

United States Senator

Election

1994

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Fred Thompson with the U.S. Senate in 2002

In 1994, Thompson was elected to finish the remaining two years of Al Gore's unexpired U.S. Senate term. During the 1994 campaign, Thompson's opponent was longtime Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper. Thompson campaigned in a red pickup truck, and Cooper charged Thompson "is a lobbyist and actor who talks about lower taxes, talks about change, while he drives a rented stage prop."<ref>Powers, William. "The Politician's Pickup Lines" Template:Webarchive, The Washington Post (October 21, 1994). Some question exists about whether Thompson actually did the driving. According to Kevin Drum of the Washington Monthly, "Thompson didn't even deign to drive the thing himself." Drum, Kevin. "Fred Thompson's Red Pick-up Truck" Template:Webarchive, Washington Monthly (May 7, 2007). Retrieved 2007-06-18. Media reports in May and June 2007 said that Thompson still has the truck, which is "parked behind Thompson's mother's home outside Nashville." Chipman, Kim. "Thompson's Backers Check His `Fire in the Belly' for 2008 Race", Bloomberg (2007-06-28). According to Newsweek, "The paint is peeling and its U.S. Senate license plates expired back in 2002." Bailey, Holly. "The Sign of the Red Truck" Template:Webarchive, Newsweek (2007-05-28). Retrieved 2007-07-10.</ref> In a good year for Republican candidates,<ref>Traub, James. "Party Like It's 1994", New York Times Magazine (March 12, 2006): "The Republicans shocked political professionals, including President Bill Clinton, by gaining 52 seats in the House, giving them a majority there for the first time in 40 years. (They picked up eight seats in the Senate to wrest control there, as well.)"</ref> Thompson defeated Cooper by 320,068 votes, overcoming Cooper's early 20% lead in the polls to defeat him by an even greater margin.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> On the same night Thompson was elected to fill Gore's unexpired term, political newcomer Bill Frist, a Nashville heart surgeon, defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Jim Sasser, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, for Tennessee's other Senate seat, which was up for a full six-year term. The twin victories by Thompson and Frist gave Republicans control of both of Tennessee's Senate seats for the first time since Sasser ousted incumbent Bill Brock in 1976.

1996

In 1996, Thompson was re-elected to a full term by 436,617 votes, defeating Democratic attorney Houston Gordon of Covington, Tennessee, even as Bill Clinton and running mate Al Gore narrowly carried the state by less than three percentage points on their way to re-election.<ref>"United States of America Presidential Elections of 1996, Electoral College Vote by States", Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive.</ref> During this campaign, Mike Long served as Thompson's chief speechwriter.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Committee assignments

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Senator Thompson meeting with U.S. soldiers in South Korea, 2001

In 1996, Thompson was a member of the Committee on Governmental Affairs when the committee investigated the alleged Chinese attempts to influence American politics. Thompson says he was "largely stymied" during these investigations by witnesses declining to testify, claiming the right not to incriminate themselves or by simply leaving the country.<ref name=JF070317>Template:Cite news</ref> Thompson explained, "Our work was affected tremendously by the fact that Congress is a much more partisan institution than it used to be."<ref>Thompson, Fred. "Additional Views of Chairman Fred Thompson, Investigation of Illegal or Improper Activities in Connection With 1996 Federal Election Campaigns, Final Report of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, Senate Report 105-167 – 105th Congress 2d Session" (March 10, 1998).</ref>

Thompson became committee chairman in 1997, but was reduced to ranking minority member when the Democrats took control of the Senate in 2001.<ref>Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, History of Committee Chairmen Template:Webarchive. Retrieved (July 13, 2007).</ref> Thompson served on the Finance Committee (dealing with health care, trade, Social Security, and taxation), the Intelligence Committee, and the National Security Working Group.<ref>Sen. Thompson's Official Senate Web Site (via Archive.org).</ref>

Thompson's work included investigation of the "Umm Hajul controversy" which involved the death of Tennessean Lance Fielder during the Gulf War. During his term, he supported campaign finance reform, opposed proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and promoted government efficiency and accountability.<ref name="Lawrimore" /> During the 1996 presidential debates, he also served as a Clinton stand-in to help prepare Bob Dole.<ref name="Lawrimore" />

On February 12, 1999, the Senate voted on the Clinton impeachment. The perjury charge was defeated with 45 votes for conviction, and 55, including Thompson, against. The obstruction of justice charge was defeated with 50, including Thompson, for conviction, and 50 against. Conviction on impeachment charges requires the affirmative votes of 67 senators.

Campaign co-chairman for John McCain's 2000 presidential campaign

In the 2000 Republican Party presidential primaries, Thompson backed former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander, who eventually succeeded Thompson in the Senate two years later. When Alexander dropped out, Thompson endorsed Senator John McCain's bid and became his national co-chairman.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After George W. Bush won the primaries, both McCain and Thompson were considered as potential running mates.<ref>"Bush: 'The days of speculation are over'", USA Today (July 22, 2000).</ref><ref>Zuckerbrod, Nancy."Thompson eyed for vice presidential role" Template:Webarchive, via oakridger.com July 3, 2000. Retrieved July 10, 2007.</ref>

Ratings

File:Senator Fred Thompson with Girl Scout Troop 68 Bartlett, Tennessee in front of the Capitol, 2001.jpg
Senator Thompson meeting with Girl Scouts

Thompson's rating from the American Conservative Union was 86.1 (1995 to 2002), compared to 89.3 for Bill Frist, and 82.3 for John McCain.<ref>"How conservative is Fred Thompson?", Washington Times Editorial (June 23, 2007).</ref><ref>Profile at Project Vote Smart Template:Webarchive (including bio, positions, finances, interest group ratings, votes, and statements).</ref> Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) characterized her colleague this way: "I believe that Fred is a fearless senator. By that I mean he was never afraid to cast a vote or take a stand, regardless of the political consequences."<ref>Theobald, Bill."In D.C., tenacious Thompson defied prediction: Reliable conservative had fierce independent streak", The Tennessean (July 8, 2007).</ref> Thompson was "on the short end of a couple of 99–1 votes", voting against those who wanted to federalize matters that he believed were properly left to state and local officials.<ref name="federalism"/>

With Thompson's decision to campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, his Senate record received some criticism from people who say he was "lazy" compared to other senators.<ref>""Thompson and the 'Laziness' Issue" Template:Webarchive" Newsweek (September 29, 2007)</ref> Critics say that few of his proposals became law, and point to a 1998 quote: "I don't like spending 14- and 16-hour days voting on 'sense of the Senate' resolutions on irrelevant matters. There are some important things we really need to get on with—and on a daily basis, it's very frustrating." Defenders say he spent more time in preparation than other senators. Paul Noe, a former staffer, told The New York Times, "On the lazy charge, I have to chuckle because I was there sometimes until 1 in the morning working with the man."<ref>"G.O.P. Hopeful Took Own Path in the Senate" The New York Times (September 29, 2007)</ref>

Personal life during Senate tenure

File:The Thompson Family.jpg
Fred and Jeri Thompson with their children in September 2007

In the years after his divorce, Thompson was romantically linked to country singer Lorrie Morgan, Republican fundraiser Georgette Mosbacher, future Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, and columnist Margaret Carlson.<ref>Baxter, Sarah."Old Girlfriends Cast Their Vote for Thompson", Times Online (June 24, 2007).</ref>

In July 1996, Thompson began dating Jeri Kehn (born 1966) and the two married almost six years later on June 29, 2002.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> When he was asked in an Associated Press survey of the candidates in December 2007, to name his favorite possession he replied, tongue-in-cheek, "trophy wife".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The couple had two children together, a daughter Hayden born in 2003, and a son Samuel born in 2006.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On January 30, 2002, Thompson's daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici died from a brain injury resulting from cardiac arrest after what was determined to be an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.<ref>Tapper, Jake."Thompson's Daughter's Death Informs Right-to-Die Stance", ABC News (October 22, 2007).</ref>

Initial post-Senate life and career

Thompson was not a candidate for reelection in 2002. He had previously stated that he was unwilling to make serving in the Senate a long-term career. While he announced in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks his intention to seek reelection (declaring, "now is not the time for me to leave"), upon further reflection, he decided against running for reelection.<ref name=Hayes070502/> The decision seems to have been prompted in large part by the death of his daughter.<ref name=JF070317/><ref name="TIME070524">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

The only lobbying work Thompson did after leaving the Senate in 2003 was for the London-based reinsurance company Equitas Ltd. He was paid $760,000 between 2004 and 2006 to help prevent passage of legislation that Equitas said unfairly singled them out for unfavorable treatment regarding asbestos claims.<ref name="Dilanian">Dilanian, Ken. Past as lobbyist may play into future as candidate, USA Today (June 6, 2007).</ref> Thompson's spokesman Mark Corrallo said that Thompson was proud to have been a lobbyist and believed in Equitas' cause.<ref>Birnbaum, Jeffrey. "Thompson Will Take On Outsider Role After Playing Access Man", The Washington Post, June 12, 2007</ref>

Return to acting

As Thompson prepared to depart the Senate, he resumed his acting career. In 2002, during the final months of his Senate term, Thompson joined the cast of the NBC television series Law & Order, playing conservative District Attorney Arthur Branch, a role that he would ultimately portray for the next five years. Known in production circles and on set as, "The Liverwurst" referring to his green room requests for the Germanic dish, Thompson began filming during the August 2002 Senate recess.<ref name="Lawrimore">Lawrimore, Erin. "Biography/History" Template:Webarchive, University of Tennessee Special Collections Library (2005).</ref> He made occasional appearances in the same role on other TV shows, such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and the pilot episode of Conviction.

During these years, Thompson also had roles in films including Racing Stripes (2005) and Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005). He portrayed a fictional president of the United States in Last Best Chance (2005), as well as two historical presidents in TV movies: Ulysses S. Grant in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) and the voice of Andrew Jackson in Rachel and Andrew Jackson: A Love Story (2001).<ref>Keel, Beverly. "On screen, Thompson projects power, wisdom" Template:Webarchive, The Tennessean (May 8, 2007).</ref>

Thompson, in 2007, again paused his acting career in order to pursue political options, this time stepping back from acting in order to accommodate a potential campaign for the presidency. On May 30, 2007, he asked to be released from the Law & Order role, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid.<ref name="lawandorder"/> Due to concerns about the equal-time rule, reruns featuring the Branch character were not shown on NBC while Thompson was a potential or actual presidential candidate, but TNT episodes were unaffected.<ref>"TNT won't pull reruns starring Thompson", Seattle Times (September 1, 2007).</ref>

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis

Thompson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), a form of cancer, in 2004. In 2007, Thompson stated, "I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms. My life expectancy should not be affected. I am in remission, and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future—and with no debilitating side effects." Reportedly indolent, Thompson's NHL was the lowest of three grades of NHL,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was the rare nodal marginal zone lymphoma. It accounts for only 1–3% of all cases.<ref>Bloom, Mark (April 11, 2007). "Fred Thompson, GOP Potential Candidate, Had Rare NHL" Template:Webarchive. MedPage Today.</ref>

Political activities

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Thompson speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in 2014

From 2002 to 2005, Thompson was head of the Federal City Council, a group of business, civic, education, and other leaders interested in economic development in Washington, DC.<ref>Template:Cite news; Template:Cite news</ref>

In March 2003, Thompson was featured in a commercial by the conservative nonprofit group Citizens United which advocated for the invasion of Iraq, "When people ask what has Saddam done to us, I ask, what had the 9/11 hijackers done to us--before 9/11."<ref name="cnncitizensunited">Template:Cite news</ref>

Thompson did voice-over work at the 2004 Republican National Convention.<ref>Goldsmith, Brian. "Beware The 'Convention Candidates'", CBS News (April 20, 2007).</ref> While narrating a video for that convention, Thompson observed: "History throws you what it throws you, and you never know what's coming."<ref>Thompson, Fred. "The Pitch", via YouTube. Retrieved (July 13, 2007).</ref>

After the retirement of Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in 2005, President George W. Bush appointed Thompson to an informal position to help guide the nomination of John Roberts through the United States Senate confirmation process.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He shared this advisory role to the nominee, a role commonly dubbed "sherpa", with former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Roberts's nomination as associate justice was cancelled following the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist; he was renominated and confirmed as Chief Justice instead.

Until July 2007, Thompson was Chair of the International Security Advisory Board, a bipartisan advisory panel that reports to the Secretary of State and focuses on emerging strategic threats.<ref>International Security Advisory Board, Former Members, State Department web site.</ref> In that capacity, he advised the State Department about all aspects of arms control, disarmament, international security, and related aspects of public diplomacy.<ref>International Security Advisory Board, State Department web site.</ref>

Template:Main In 2006, he served on the advisory board of the legal defense fund for I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby Jr., who was indicted and later convicted of lying to federal investigators during their investigation of the Plame affair.<ref> Template:Cite news </ref><ref> Template:Cite news </ref> Thompson, who had never met Libby before volunteering for the advisory board, said he was convinced that Libby was innocent.<ref name=Hayes070502/> The Scooter Libby Legal Defense Fund Trust set out to raise more than $5 million to help finance the legal defense of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff.<ref>Loller, Travis. "Looking at Thompson's Lobbying Past" Template:Webarchive, ABC News (June 25, 2007).</ref> Thompson hosted a fundraiser for the Libby defense fund at his home in McLean, Virginia.<ref> Copeland, Libby and Montgomery, David. "Scooter Libby's Pals, Trusting In Providence", The Washington Post (July 3, 2007). </ref> After Bush commuted Libby's sentence,<ref>George W. Bush, "Statement by the President", The White House, July 2, 2007, accessed July 2, 2007.</ref> Thompson released a statement: "I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife and children. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Work as a radio analyst

In 2006, he signed on with ABC News Radio to serve as senior analyst and vacation replacement for Paul Harvey.<ref>Miller, Korin. Names and Faces, The Washington Post (February 25, 2006).</ref> He used that platform to spell out his positions on a number of political issues. A July 3, 2007, update to Thompson's ABC News Radio home page referred to him as a "former ABC News Radio contributor", indicating that Thompson had been released from his contract with the broadcaster.<ref>The Fred Thompson Report, ABC Radio Networks.</ref> He did not return after his campaign ended.

Work as a columnist

Thompson signed a deal with Salem Communications's Townhall.com to write for the organization's magazine, Townhall, from April 23, 2007, until August 21, 2007,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and again from June 8, 2008, until November 17, 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2008 presidential campaign

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Thompson campaigning in Iowa in 2007

Thompson ran for the Republican nomination in the 2008 United States presidential election cycle. He won 11 delegates in the Republican primaries before dropping out of the race in January 2008.

On March 11, 2007, Thompson appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss the possibility of a 2008 candidacy for the presidency. Two weeks later Thompson asked to be released from his television contract, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid.<ref name="lawandorder">Associated Press and Cameron, Carl. "Fred Thompson Quits 'Law & Order,' Moves Closer to 2008 White House Bid", Fox News (May 31, 2007).</ref> Thompson formed a presidential exploratory committee regarding his possible 2008 campaign for president on June 1, 2007,<ref name="whsvspeakinrichmond">Template:Cite news</ref> but unlike most candidate exploratory groups, Thompson's organized as a 527 group.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Thompson continued to be mentioned as a potential candidate, but did not officially declare his candidacy. On June 12, he told Jay Leno on The Tonight Show that while he did not crave the presidency itself, he would like to do things that he could only do by holding that office.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A New York Times article cited Thompson's aides as saying on July 18 that he planned to enter the race just after Labor Day, followed by a national announcement tour.<ref>Nagourney, Adam. "Candidates Shift as G.O.P. Field Alters", NY Times (July 19, 2007).</ref>

On September 5, 2007, Thompson made his candidacy official, announcing on The Tonight Show that "I'm running for president of the United States" and running an ad during a Republican presidential candidates' debate on Fox News.<ref name="Forbes20070905">Template:Cite magazine Brief excerpts from the Tonight Show appearance are available from NBC Template:Webarchive. The full Tonight Show transcript is [1] Template:Webarchive.</ref> In both instances he pointed people to his campaign website to watch a 15-minute video detailing his platform. His campaign entrance was described as "lackluster"<ref name="CNN October">Template:Cite news</ref> and "awkward"<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> despite high expectations in anticipation of his joining the race.<ref name="Novak">Template:Cite news</ref> Thompson was endorsed by the Virginia Society for Human Life and several other anti-abortion organizations.<ref name="Standard News Wire">Nation's Oldest Right to Life Organization Supporting Thompson Standard News Wire.com, December 20. Retrieved: September 9, 2013.</ref><ref name="Presidency Project">Fred Thompson Receives the Endorsement of Virginia Society for Human Life Template:Webarchive Presidency Project UCSB.EDU, December 20, 2007. Retrieved: September 9, 2013.</ref>

In nationwide polling toward the end of 2007, Thompson's support in the Republican primary election was sliding, with Thompson placing either third or fourth in polls.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On January 22, 2008, after attracting little support in the early primaries, he confirmed that he had withdrawn from the presidential race.<ref name="CNN 2008-01-22">Template:Cite news</ref> In a statement issued by his campaign he said:

Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people.

Post-presidential campaign

Political activities

Thompson spoke at the 2008 Republican National Convention on September 2 in Minnesota, where he described in graphic detail presumptive Republican nominee John McCain's torture at the hands of the North Vietnamese during his imprisonment and gave an endorsement of McCain for president.<ref>https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2008/fredthompson2008rnc.htm&ved=2ahUKEwiV37X_9f2IAxXH4MkDHRvuDqAQFnoECBUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0iZuR5vV_HJBudZnt-Dzbo Template:Dead link</ref>

Thompson campaigned in support of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Acting career

Thompson signed an agreement to be represented as an actor by the William Morris Agency.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2009, he returned to acting with a guest appearance on the ABC television series Life on Mars,<ref name="imdb.com">Template:Cite web</ref> and as William Jennings Bryan in the TV movie Alleged (2010), based on the Scopes Monkey Trial.<ref name="Liz Shaw">Template:Cite news</ref> Thompson portrayed Frank Michael Thomas in the CBS series The Good Wife, based on himself. He also had roles in Disney's Secretariat (2010) and the horror film Sinister (2012). In 2014, he appeared in the film Persecuted, focusing on religious freedom, government surveillance, and censorship.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Radio career

On March 2, 2009, he took over Westwood One's East Coast noon time slot, hosting the talk radio program The Fred Thompson Show, after Bill O'Reilly ended The Radio Factor.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was co-hosted for a time by his wife, Jeri. Thompson's final show for Westwood One was aired on January 21, 2011. Douglas Urbanski took Thompson's place in the Westwood One syndication lineup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Work as an advertising spokesman

In May 2010, Thompson became an advertising spokesman for American Advisors Group, a reverse mortgage lender.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Memoir

Thompson's memoir, Teaching the Pig to Dance: A Memoir of Growing up and Second Chances, was published in 2010.<ref>Thompson, Fred D., Teaching the Pig to Dance: A Memoir of Growing up and Second Chances, Crown Forum, 2010. Template:ISBN. Retrieved October 23, 2018.</ref><ref>US Congress "THOMPSON, Fred Dalton, (1942 - 2015)", Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress, 1774- present. Retrieved October 23, 2018.</ref>

Death and funeral

On the morning of November 1, 2015, Thompson died at the age of 73; the cause of death was a recurrence of lymphoma.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His funeral was held on November 6, 2015, in Nashville with U.S. Senators John McCain and Lamar Alexander in attendance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was interred at Mimosa Cemetery in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee later that day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building was named in his honor pursuant to legislation signed into law in June 2017.<ref>Joey Garrison, "Trump signs bill naming new Nashville federal courthouse after Thompson", The Knoxville News-Sentinel (June 7, 2017), p. 4.</ref>

Political positions

File:Fred Thompson visits Dallas.jpg
Thompson in Dallas on July 25, 2007

Thompson said that federalism was his "lodestar", which provides "a basis for a proper analysis of most issues: 'Is this something government should be doing? If so, at what level of government?'"<ref name="federalism">Thompson, Fred. "Federalism 'n' Me". Template:Webarchive. American Enterprise Institute (April 23, 2007). Retrieved May 13, 2007.</ref>

Thompson said that "Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad medical science"; he felt that judges should not be determining social policy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, he also said that the government should not criminally prosecute women who undergo early-term abortions.<ref name="hannity">"Exclusive! Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson on Possible White House Bid", Fox News Interview (June 5, 2007).</ref><ref>Bailey, Holly. "Away From the Cameras Template:Webarchive," Newsweek (June 25, 2007).</ref> He did not support a federal ban on gay marriage, but would have supported a constitutional amendment to keep a state's recognition of such marriages from resulting in all states having to recognize them.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite web</ref>

He said that citizens are entitled to keep and bear arms if they do not have criminal records.<ref name="ArmedWithTruth">Thompson, Fred. "Armed with the Truth", ABC Radio, May 10, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref> The Gun Owners of America says that he voted pro-gun in 20 of 33 gun-related votes during his time in the Senate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Thompson said that U.S. borders should be secured before considering comprehensive immigration reform,<ref name="Lincoln Day">Thompson, Fred. "Prepared Remarks for Speech to Lincoln Club Annual Dinner", ABC Radio, May 4, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref> but he also supported a path to citizenship for illegal aliens saying, "You're going to have to, in some way, work out a deal where they can have some aspirations of citizenship, but not make it so easy that it's unfair to the people waiting in line and abiding by the law."<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> Thompson supported the U.S. 2003 invasion of Iraq<ref name="Senate Roll call">Template:Cite web</ref> and was opposed to withdrawing troops,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but believed that "mistakes have been made" since the invasion.<ref name=FNS311>Template:Cite news</ref>

Thompson initially supported the McCain–Feingold campaign finance legislation, but he later said that certain parts should be repealed.<ref>Sean Hannity interview of Fred Thompson Template:Webarchive, Fox News, June 6, 2007. Accessed June 9, 2007.</ref> He was skeptical that human efforts cause global warming and pointed to parallel warming on Mars and other planets as an example.<ref>Thompson, Fred. "Plutonic Warming" Template:Webarchive, AEI, March 22, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref>

Filmography

Thompson's acting roles were credited as Fred Dalton Thompson, unless otherwise noted.

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1985 Marie Himself debut, credited as Fred Thompson
1987 No Way Out CIA Director Marshall
1988 Feds Bill Bilecki
1989 Fat Man and Little Boy Major General Melrose Hayden Barry
1990 The Hunt for Red October Rear Admiral Joshua Painter
Days of Thunder Big John
Die Hard 2 Ed Trudeau
1991 Flight of the Intruder JAGC Captain at Court-Martial Uncredited
Class Action Dr. Getchell
Necessary Roughness Carver Purcell
Cape Fear Tom Broadbent
Curly Sue Bernie Oxbar
1992 Aces: Iron Eagle III Stockman
Thunderheart William Dawes
White Sands Arms dealer Uncredited
1993 Born Yesterday Sen. Hedges
In the Line of Fire White House Chief of Staff Harry Sargent
1994 Baby's Day Out FBI Agent Dale Grissom
2002 Download This Himself
2005 Racing Stripes Sir Trenton Voice
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World Himself
2010 The Genesis Code Judge Hardin
Secretariat Arthur "Bull" Hancock
Ironmen Governor Neeley
Alleged William Jennings Bryan credited as Sen. Fred Dalton Thompson
2012 The Last Ride O'Keefe
Sinister Sheriff
2013 Unlimited Harold Finch
2014 Persecuted Fr. Charles Luther
23 Blast Coach Powers
2015 A Larger Life Robert Parker
90 Minutes in Heaven Jay B. Perkins
2016 God's Not Dead 2 Senior Pastor posthumous release, credited as Fred Thompson

Television

Year Series Role Episode count
1988 Wiseguy Knox Pooley 3 episodes
Unholy Matrimony Frank Sweeny TV movie
1989 China Beach Lt. Col. Reinhardt 1 episode
Roseanne Keith Faber
Matlock Gordon Lewis 2 episodes
In the Heat of the Night Tommy Season 2 - Episode 18
1992 Bed of Lies Richard 'Racehorse' Haynes TV movie
Stay the Night Det. Malone
Day-O Frank DeGeorgio
Keep the Change Otis
1993 Matlock Prosecutor McGonigal 1 episode
Barbarians at the Gate James D. Robinson III TV movie
2000 Sex and the City Politician on TV 1 episode
2001 Rachel and Andrew Jackson: A Love Story President Andrew Jackson Voice, TV movie
2002–2007 Law & Order D.A. Arthur Branch 116 episodes
2003–2006 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 11 episodes
2004 Evel Knievel Jay Sarno TV movie
2005–2006 Law & Order: Trial by Jury D.A. Arthur Branch 13 episodes
2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 1 episode
2006 Conviction
2007 Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee President Ulysses S. Grant TV movie, credited as Fred Thompson
2009 Life on Mars NYPD Chief Harry Woolf 1 episode
2011–2012 The Good Wife Frank Michael Thomas 2 episodes
2015 Allegiance FBI Director 4 episodes

Book authored

Electoral history

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See also

References

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Official

Documentaries, topic pages and databases

News media

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