"Like Time Travel" - Sam Waterston On Becoming Jack McCoy Again For "Law & Order"

[@devikadevaiah7902]

My Gosh! Sam Waterson is joy unadulterated. He lit up my screen and brightened up my not so very nice day. What a man!

[@illexsquid]

That laugh at 5:12! Pure unvarnished happiness.

[@sebastiannemeth-ramirez2160]

After 12 years, the man has not lost a single step. A lot of actors have come and gone on Law Order; it was its strongest selling point, constant, fresh blood with new ideas that took the series in a non-linear, unique fashion. Some times it was good, others not so good, but God bless them for trying. However, Sam Waterson has been one of the greatest fan favourites on the show. He managed to organically and seamlessly interact with the plot as if he had always been there from the start. The only other actor to pull that off that I've seen is the character Ella in Lucifer. Despite not making an appearance till season two's premiere, her character felt like an organic extension from the plot, just like Sam's character Jack. Welcome back, Sam. Your fans have missed you.

[@maddiekaye2927]

My mom was terminally ill and we had the opportunity to lay with each other in bed to watch stuff for one last time. She chose law and order. The best 6 hours of television we've ever watched together was guided by that man's voice

[@jesahnorrin]

So much love to you.

[@miola2083]

🥰

[@bluekitty3731]

So sorry for your loss, thank you for sharing your story.

[@sandraandrews9907]

@@bluekitty3731 My condolences to your beloved mother. 💔 Thank you for giving her those hours of joy.. She's doing well where she is. 🙏 Blessings to L&O.

[@lynnebucher6537]

Sorry for your loss of your mom. When mine was in hospice and almost gone, I felt the urge to get in bed with her and comfort her. she was already comatose. I held her hand and talked to her a lot. I hope she knew I was there.

[@BrownEyedGirl1367]

I loved the way Sam drank in and appreciated the audience’s applause. What a lovely man. 🥰

[@MikeRiderOOO]

I love everything Sam Waterson does. Film and TV. His political advocacy. Everything he does is always a delight. God bless this man.

[@iainbagnall4825]

In case you missed it, check out his portrayal of Robert Oppenheimer in the 6 part BBC series about the Manhattan project. Made in the 80s I think. Available free on KZbin, in the states at least. Best drama ever made about the subject.

[@darth_cheezus]

I loved him in the Newsroom

[@krylesangerbeaver]

McCoy and Briscoe, the two reasons I have always LOVED Law and Order. Still one of my favorite series. I hope Crave gets seasons 1-5 eventually!

[@jubalcalif9100]

Right On ! My two fave characters from the long running "Law & Order" are McCoy and Briscoe !!

[@richardsedding8444]

Sam Waterston is still mighty impressive at 81, well done sir, I've enjoyed watching L&O on catchup for years, thank you for making more episodes!

[@jubalcalif9100]

I heartily concur !

[@lyraserpentine894]

I hope Sam can read all of these KZbin comments because people really love him and I think he should know that. And, also, he has such an animated laugh! He's well tempered and then BOOM his laugh brightens the whole room. He seems like a lovely person.

[@MsRegPhalange]

I honestly don't think I've ever heard his laugh, like his full-blown real-life laugh, and it completely surprised me. It made me grin ear to ear and laugh along with him. Those types of laughs are just so wonderful and Sam is a bright beacon of light in this world.

[@mariesia0525]

Oh my gosh! What an amazing actor! Love, love, love him on Law and Order!

[@Miranda50709]

Law and Order is such a comfort show for me. I think I have seen every episode multiple times. I was so excited to see it come back. Can't wait to see the new characters develop. Jack is the man!

[@RebekahCurielAlessi]

I love all of them and really like the Benjamin Bratt years, especially that triple episode where they go to Hollywood.

[@samgonzalez6583]

Jack is 1 badass dude in the world!!

[@leiladiallo1639]

I'm so glad they are making a new season! Law and Order has crossed so many generations, I think my grand grand children will still be watching it. He is a legend. Brilliant actor 👏🏽

[@mariekastler5391]

Such a lovely interview! Stephen was So nurturing and gentle. Love the shout out to Prop Masters, Set Design, et alis. Continuity on this must have been a doozy!

[@armorlesscrustacean8445]

What a sweet old man. He seems a little batty but you can tell he's genuinely in awe that people appreciate him and that he was able to do this as his life's career. Very endearing and humble. You can tell he's not the type of guest that Stephen will be doing zingers and doing one liners with at 100 mph but seeing a human being so happy and mesmerized by an audience after all these years is just as enjoyable to watch.

[@RebekahCurielAlessi]

Yes!! His humility is striking. And I think some people are just tetched, ya know? Like little pieces of what wonder has made us.❤

[@dougimmel]

i wanna be that batty too

[@djstarr-lowery4047]

Sweetie I know you mean well but he's not actually old and you won't know that until you get there. And I know you love and appreciate him but it's like saying "wow you look good for your age" but these are things you won't understand until you get here. We'll try not to say to you, "bless you my silly child" - just say'n

[@juliajules9407]

@@djstarr-lowery4047 It is so true. One of the least favorite things I hear my son and daughter in law say to me and my husband is: awe, you guys are so cute. One day they will understand that it is not an endearing comment; more like a pat on the head saying we are doddering old folks!

[@PBehr]

Sam is a legend.

[@wait...what...]

Thank you for saying that. He REALLY is so well-spoken. (As someone who has spent the last three weeks binging old L&W's) lol

[@Larryshouseoftoast]

He seems genuinely nice.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I certainly have a notion to second THAT emotion !

[@wendy5116]

He’s lovely and sweet. Honestly it was wonderful to invite him on. I don’t even watch L&E but I know of him.

[@boysdontcry5487]

Sam Waterston is excellent in everything he does.

[@jennymacallan9071]

He gave the best reading of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address you will ever hear on The Civil War series on PBS.

[@chendrik]

Except his role in the “No Labels” group

[@RadicalValkyrie]

So glad it is back. The first episode didn't disappoint.

[@themothermarkos]

I watched The Killing Fields for the first time a couple days ago and was floored by his performance. Extraordinary actor.

[@lareneandpipsqueeksully]

What an honor to see this man from the beginning of Law and Order to now❣️ Thank you❣️

[@robertmcginnis2842]

Jack McCoy…one of NYC’s living legends.

[@michelewalburn4376]

Wow. It's about time we get new law and order shows. I've been waiting long enough I believe. Dang I just realized that I'm going to have to fire up the old TV. I haven't watched TV at least 6 years. I watch my L&O reruns on my phone, laptop, but new episodes?? Hell no they've got to be on the big TV so that I don't miss anything.

[@ruthdepew7212]

When my daughter was younger she did set or costume design for numerous little theaters around the country. She says she never met a professional actor who had not done at least one "Law and Order" episode. In the early 2000's Law and Order at some time hired every available actor.

[@nuschlerclark895]

New York City has many wonderful Broadway, Off Broadway, Comedians, and movie stars. Sam was in many stage plays too! For example the actor who played Daniel Melnick won a Tony for her role as Golda Meier! All the judges…arraignment and trial judges were all great stage actors! NYC the best city in the USA.

[@a24396]

Sam is one of the best actors out there, and it turns out he's also a terrific person too. What a delightful person!

[@Mkwaa]

I can't believe we got to witness Sam Waterston in the throes of belly laugh. How great was that!

[@scorch4299]

81 years old, wow.

[@bluekitty3731]

I hope Jack McCoy will still have a pocket handkerchief in his suit jacket, to me that was a true mark of a gentleman!

[@oliviageter5566]

My husband always carried a handkerchief, matter of fact two. One he'd use for himself, wipe his brow or blow his nose, the second one he'd offered it to a lady (me) if she needed it.💝

[@cloud__99]

He‘s so lovely and joyful. If he smiles you can’t help but smile too. Legend!

[@acopernic]

One of the greatest.

[@carjam49]

I've loved him since The Great Gatsby and I'll Fly Away.

[@mermaidmoon2254]

Wait, wait, what? It's coming back??? Oh my God, I love that series!!!

[@NewMessage]

When I hear the word 'prosecutor', I think of Sam.

[@michelewalburn4376]

Me too. Always.

[@bobbifreedman2435]

Law and Order is coming back! Yeah! So has Grace and Frankie! Awesome sauce!

[@SanskarWagley]

A national treasure! Waiting for Grace and Frankie’s final episodes to come out

[@travismorton9727]

Mr. Waterston, Law & Order is simply the best. It, and Jack McCoy embody the virtues of civil society and the rule of law--invaluable then and even more so now.

[@home1250]

this is the most wholesome thing ive seen all day

[@melissaking6019]

I met Sam when he played King Lear in 2011 and met him afterward. He is a sweet, gracious, modest and delightful gentleman.

[@jakeherter]

I grew up in a terrible abusive home the only good memories are when somehow we would be enthralled in the Jack McCoy episodes of law & order

[@Mimi-cq4bg]

His work in the newsroom was top shelf

[@DungeonStudio]

Just recently watched Rancho Deluxe, Crimes & Misdemeanours, The Killing Fields, and Serial Mom. Only Sam Waterston could be in all those movies and get away with it effortlessly!

[@RebekahCurielAlessi]

Oh. Crimes and Misdemeanors...fantastic. "Sometimes the best solution is a little luck" says his glaucomic rabbi character to his murderous ophthalmologist played by Martin Landau who's luck turns out to be Jerry Orbach as a very very bad seed.

[@Mkwaa]

I remember Sam Waterston from THE KILLING FIELDS, an incredible film. I wonder why Colbert didn't mention it.

[@EastSider48215]

You should give “I’ll Fly Away” a try. I bet you’ll love it.

[@LittleRed4]

@@EastSider48215, such a great show.

[@Scriptease123]

I was just thing what a treat Rancho Deluxe is. Definitely worth seeking out.

[@michaelmorrissey1052]

Law and Order is timeless.

[@samus1421]

standing ovation. well done, Sam.

[@SupergirlOnFire6]

Sam Waterson is gonna get nominated for another Emmy.

[@kereneldad2960]

What a charming man. God bless Sam Waterston.

[@Butterfly-ue1ph]

The pure joy on his face when he saw the audience standing for him! ❤

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

I feel like Sam brought just a bit of Steven Hill's Adam Schiff in that clip.

[@srkh8966]

Not just a bit-an homage!

[@kopkiwi08]

Ohhh Jeffery Donovan is in new Law and Order. Love him. Hopefully we get a Burn Notice revival.

[@aaronleverton4221]

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate, yet equally important, groups: Jerry Orbach and Sam Waterston.

[@joycejohnson7164]

Loved him in I'll Fly Away on PBS.

[@leavingitblank9363]

He's got a great face! So expressive, especially when he's pleased.

[@NoobNoob1986]

Watching his last episode today brought me here. Hes the best of the best. Thanks sam for a lifetime of great entertainment.

[@jakeherter]

Oh that clip was totally awesome and he's still the district attorney

[@vanadyan1674]

When this show went off the air over 10 years ago I looked like a totally different person, meanwhile the cast looks like they took a 3 week break.

[@tjgipson7045]

I still can't watch a single episode of a Law & Order rerun without falling into trance of a two-day marathon. They just suck you right in, lol

[@cynhanrahan4012]

Sam Waterston is on my Laminated List.

[@EastSider48215]

Laminated List?

[@rmholt1]

I remember how crazy my college roommate was about watching him in Gatsby. 40 some years ago

[@joanies6778]

Loved Sam Waterston in Law and Order. Looking forward to new seasons!

[@jackson857]

Fantastic in The Newsroom

[@JoeStoppinghem]

Love him in The Newsroom with Jeff Daniels.

[@seanragsdale5636]

The only Sam Waterston I’ve known is Jack McCoy, it’s refreshing to see him being himself.

[@elliottschertzer876]

I have all 20 seasons of Law and Order on dvd, so glad there is more to come.

[@eliscanfield3913]

Oh, my mom would have been thrilled! She had a bit of a crush on Sam. Which her teenagers found amusing.

[@EastSider48215]

I have adored Sam Waterston since PBS broadcast Joseph Papp’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing “ back in 1973.

[@Jjstier]

Me too

[@bethhawks8678]

Sam Waterston is absolutely one of my favorite people (and my all time favorite Nick from The Great Gatsby).

[@opaladwyl]

He played the best movie dad ever in The Man in the Moon!

[@melissaxsue]

he's just too fucking sweet. such a joy to watch.

[@EyesOfByes]

I've seen him mostly in French when I studied French in Paris and binged L&O after school back in 2005. It was dubbed 😏

[@robertaferugheli4957]

One of the greats. So nice to have him back on regular tv. I would watch him read the telephone book.

[@tomsampson8084]

I loved Law & Order during its first run of about 20 years, I think. I watched all of the spin-offs, some longer than others. I eventually gave up on all of them. Saw the first episode of the L&O reboot the other night and thought it was fantastic. Great cast and well written.

[@Basementjacks]

My heart soars with the eagle's nest watching this video.

[@alisong826]

This brought my depression down from a 6 to a 5 🙏🏼😊💓

[@DateTwoRelate]

Sam Waterston and Stephen Colbert share a similar worldview. That is where respect rather than hate, ignorance, or stupidity is born -- a genuine caring for others and for the arts.

[@TitoTimTravels]

I need to look up other stuff he has done. I only know him from Grace & Frankie and I love him in that! 😎 Ah... Killing Fields and Capricorn One. I remember those, did not remember him being in them.

[@lydiaclibon118]

I absolutely love love Sam, he is the sexiest!

[@Florida46]

Law and Order is not only the best legal/police drama of all time but in my personal opinion it's the best show of all time... PERIOD!! Even though Sam Waterston was just an actor all those years playing jack McCoy Manhattan DA... I personally think he could get together with the real new Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and teach him numerous important things...I think the most important lesson Sam Waterston "Jack McCoy" could teach Alvin Bragg is how to get a spine and how to use it intellectually and effectively in the courtroom. If the real Manhattan DA was really "Jack McCoy," he would be pursuing Trump right now with a vengeance holding nothing back.

[@blank_stare_productions]

Thank you Sam.

[@alexanderkuptsov6117]

I've never seen Law and Order but I first saw Sam Waterston in The Newsroom and his character, Charlie Skinner, is beyond amazing there. Waterston's performance there is remarkable and I strongly recommend this show because it has a constellation of brilliant actors.

[@ikawtubo1968]

Seemed like it’s only yesterday Sam was in Woody Allen’s movie, Hannah and her Sisters.

[@UnopinionatedBystander2393]

And in Interiors. Allen's only drama.

[@UnopinionatedBystander2393]

And in Interiors. Allen's only drama.

[@ikawtubo1968]

@@UnopinionatedBystander2393 Yes. Interiors. But Allen pretty sure made another drama.

[@AleAngel038]

oh my gosh what a lovely lovely man.

[@mikechicago6200]

Man even if he's been out of the game for decade he still looks the same and man he was great in Law and Order and I'm glad he's coming back

[@patriciabagby90]

Out of the game? Have you seen him on Grace and Frankie?

[@veronicavarela2041]

He looks soo good!

[@johnniefujita]

I've watched with my eyes full of tears.... this is the man Mcoy! I have read Nietzsche and watched law and order! They would hate and respect each other. Thank u dick wolf and sam

[@xidada666]

What a delight.

[@barcelonachair6487]

I love this man

[@sandracorbitt1964]

Im a big law& Order fan. I adore Sam Waterson. I recall him as the neighbor on the great gatsby. With robert redford. All the movie roles& tv.

[@andreaalexander4727]

Sol and Jack are so different! Sam is a wonderful actor!

[@tiapia1]

He looks the same! So happy he’s back!

[@scorch4299]

who the hell is sam waterson?? THATS JACK MCCOY!

[@jossymolina]

We adore him!

[@biggtrux]

A little disappointed they didn't mention Grace and Frankie. Sam and Martin were hilarious together.

[@2244ntho66]

He was the best Nick from the Great Gatsby.

[@bettysmith4641]

Loved Sam in the movie The Killing Fields ♥️

[@yuweizhou7071]

I would love to see him again trying a case himself!

[@CountryboyBOB]

Great to see him back a role made for him.

[@Rheinmeister09]

Who's Sam Waterson.....I'm just seeing Jack McCoy having a chat with Stephen.....

[@michellegarcia-ortiz3638]

Loved this from second one

[@djstarr-lowery4047]

Hulu just "claimed" Law and Order." I called my son. We sat in anticipation ....but it wasn't the real Law and Order. it was on order season 29? No one we really recognized I'm sure they're lovely but we didn't want to see them. I'm 67 years old. Some of the most wonderful memories I have are my dad and I watching (the real) Law and Order. You have to understand the Dynamics of my family. I was the youngest of five all much older than I and there was definitely issues when my mother instructed the older siblings to get on with the dishes and "Debby" was to sit with her dad and watch Law and Order. And many years later, Debby and her son sat with Grandpa and watched the real Law and Order. My son is now 46 and I'm 67 and some of my best times are when we sit together and talk about Law and Order and Grandpa

[@triciah8598]

81!! Wow he looks 20 years younger. Hi Sam.

[@art-tica2854]

Here to Stan as a Grace & Frankie fan

[@carschmn]

This is such a cute interview.

[@boneheadjazz]

I love him

[@bibibibi9457]

Sam is magnificent, love his aura! He so reminds me of my gorgeous Jewish grandmother, just AMAZING😍👍💖

[@ursaltydog]

Such a lovely man..