Fred Thompson was an American politician, actor, attorney, lobbyist, columnist, 2008 presidential candidate and radio host. As an attorney, he helped lead the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Thompson, a Republican, served in the United States Senate representing Tennessee from 1994 to 2003.

As an actor, Thompson appeared in a number of movies and television shows as well as in commercials. In 2002 Thompson joined the cast of the long-running NBC television series Law & Order for a five-year run.

Thompson died after a recurrence of lymphoma. He was married to Jeri Kehn, with whom he has two children. Thompson and his first wife had three children: Fred "Tony" Thompson Jr., Daniel and Elizabeth. Elizabeth died in 2002.