Sam Waterston says he's leaving 'Law & Order' - but not retiring

Sam Waterson opens up to TODAY about parting ways with his iconic role as the district attorney on “Law and Order” after 30 years. He also discusses his plans for life after "Law & Order" and sends a special thanks to fans who have supported him over the years. "You're beautiful, thank you all."
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#lawandorder #samwaterston #actor

[@shaliseshaw9385]

Law and Order won't be the same without Sam Waterson. ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️

[@trevonpernell0814]

The other half of the face of L&O. It's fitting he leaves 20 years removed from the late legend, Jerry Orbach.

[@louiseastley]

Being that he wasn’t in it for the original 4 seasons it shouldn’t be too bad eventually as it was good before he was in it. But I will miss him.

[@dianemilligan3839]

Fred Thompson and Sam Waterston have been the best District Attorneys on Law & Order.

[@claytonveno3710]

Well... The damage had already been done with the "Gamergate" episode... But he will still be missed dearly 😔🙂 *Cues Gary Jules Mad World.

[@UAL012]

@@dianemilligan3839 I can't disagree with that. I will say that Steven Hill was amazing to watch and did a great job. Honestly I think they should have asked him who his favorite people to work with were.

[@katkatsanis]

He’s such a lovely human being with a beautiful heart - it’s so plain to see. ❤

[@lennarthagen3638]

Nope. He's also high in this interview.

[@katkatsanis]

@@lennarthagen3638 Actually, he’s someone who has lead a life connected to Jesus - I’ve personally seen him and his dear wife at one of our churches - and I would be shocked if he uses substances to disassociate. I don’t know him well, but I’m a pretty good judge of character. Peace to you - and may God bless you.

[@miguelvera7021]

"Aren't you Catholic,Mr McCoy"?...Not while I am at work"...that's why I loved this character so much...Farewell Sam!!!

[@user-ib2kt4oo7i]

He was great but I miss Jerry Orbach, even though I know it’s been 20 years.

[@subomioladapo4814]

Same. He was such a fine, fine man.

[@MarshWaha]

May Jerry Orbach rest in peace.

[@Melina-fi3sc]

Same here 😞

[@criolla10]

Jerry was unique, love him in musicals in Broadway...

[@AdultThirdCultureKid1971]

Yeah, I miss Jerry Orbach, too.

[@apok1980]

I’ve been rewatching Law & Order over the last few months and it hits different. A good portion of the actors have passed. Almost everyone is old or middle aged now. Also, the writing was 5 times better back then. Overall, the show makes me feel old, but it’s also comfort food.

[@Juliebeans1]

Protect this man at all costssss 🥺🥺😭😭

[@TimWatson-yt5ou]

Iconic role , well done sir.

[@bellav7093]

Thank you for giving us such a wonderful character! 💜

[@WalkingmanPattaya]

Grace and Frankie was one of the best comedy series of all time...Sam and Martin were so great in that show as well

[@PinkHeart89]

I love Sam. I will be sad but he’s going on to find his new character.❤️

[@cynthiamaldonado8051]

So sad to see him leave.

[@rosauravasquez4373]

He just played one of the most smart, realistic, fun to watch chatacter. Loved him forever.

[@jeanetteschock4744]

He is absolutely amazing congratulations

[@crystal25288]

Hes an amazing actor 😍❤️

[@lisawicks8205]

Amazing actor, iconic character and it was an outstanding episode..Thank you, sir❤️

[@Mmch2112]

You'll be missed. I've watched this show since it started.

[@a.e.7988]

Will miss him, so much!❤

[@judyoger]

The first time I watched Sam Waterston was in the Movie "Man in the Moon", he is so talented and versatile. A man who's talent shines through in any role he steps into, I thank you Sam, I look forward to seeing you again soon in a new role. A life well lived and expressed dedication in each character you have portrayed.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Same with Mariska H. She probably had no idea that her life would "become" Olivia Benson.

[@maddenharr96]

it will be weird not to see him on Law and order

[@bellablueheadlam7823]

I ❤ his role on Law & Order!

[@aliciarenee2218]

He is such a cool dude!!❤

[@dennisproulx3215]

Good luck and enjoy Mr W. Our careers are of equal length. It’s out of love is why we each do what we do.

[@censorshipsucks9493]

Capricorn One is an underrated gem with an all-star cast.

[@marlenesheffield8777]

In total agreement!💯

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

I hope he does more comedy. He was hilarious on Grace and Frankie

[@Joseph1NJ]

One of the best and most liberal, and I mean that in the literal and very best way possible, series ever on TV.

[@normanbonk8064]

It's incredible how well he plays such diverse and complex roles so very well. Not since Perry Mason has such a beloved and familiar law character been played, appealing to most of the country. Prayers

[@kckprince]

Congratulations to Mr. W! He truly deserves a proper farewell from Law & Order. He doesn't know how much lives he impacted, having People pursue Law to become a Lawyer and eventually, an D.A! Continue to get drunk on Freedom, Sir!

[@TheSerpent21]

Sam seems like such a kind and down to earth person.

[@adrianbredell1446]

Top 5 greatest actors in TV history

[@peterlenham3180]

Not even close.

[@andrewmorales5485]

I loved him for years

[@JM-zk9ou]

He was fabulous in Grace and Frankie.

[@rosecastillo8397]

I’ve watched L&O for ages. It’ll be strange not seeing him on it!!

[@genesis1765]

People shouldn't forget he was in one of the great movies and saddest The Killing Fields

[@user-jp3pt4fd2r]

Totally awesome.

[@jeanettesledge5490]

He's AWESOME 😎

[@earlputnal9124]

Sam deserves a rightful retirement. He's been fantastic on Law and Order. Best wishes Sam.

[@Snip59]

Will be missed such a great actor watched from day one even when the series came to a end and was bought back have a great time off to retire will be missed.Cheers from phil in Sydney.

[@marybrand1977]

It was the end of an era on LIO. It made me happy and sad. We will miss you.

[@williammoreno2378]

One of the best. He was outstanding in his role as Robert J. Oppenheimer.

[@dawnbirch5042]

I got all teary-eyed watching him on his last episode, knowing he was leaving. He'll be missed so much!😢❤ God bless you, Sam Waterston!

[@sagesufferswell]

I adore this man. Grew up on Law & Order, love Grace & Frankie, an epic career.

[@mossy2209]

If you never saw Sam's version of Oppenheimer, watch the BBC/WGBH version, a mini series- it's exquisite

[@AsiaUnscripted]

I thought he said goodbye like 15 yrs ago.

[@stephenfricke9298]

Class act. Thank you

[@desimonium]

Please do a cameo on Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent! 🤩

[@missyd0g2]

Great actor and loved his performances y

[@marlenesheffield8777]

Farewell to the O.G. -- the guru -- the Jedi Knight who taught all the young ones how it is done. Godspeed Mr. Waterston. 👋🥇💛🧡❤️💯

[@AdultThirdCultureKid1971]

His next role should be Robert Mueller, former FBI Director, Special Counsel, and author of the Mueller Report.

[@harleminthebuildn9234]

I WILL MISS THIS MAN BEING ON THE SHOW, BUT ALL THINGS COME TO AN END. CHEERS 🍾🍾🍾🎊🎊🎉🎉🎉

[@mystreamz]

Sam Waterson is the best and yes, as others have said L&O will not be the same. He will be so missed!!! Such a great actor in every role he plays. Sad to see him go, and look forward to seeing him in whatever he does next.

[@narimenrhodes-zh7tr]

Sam is an ACTUAL human being. Loved you in Capricorn one. B-ASSS@Y.T.

[@brandonlongbottom5747]

That would be really cool

[@deborasnedray7461]

Gave me chills but perfect ending if he must go

[@markdonaldson7934]

He was masterful in 'The Killing Fields'....

[@mr2del]

Well an era has ended, but an institution is still around! Way to go, Sam Waterston!!

[@yvonneplant9434]

He was at his best playing Lincoln.

[@ChrisCupcake3]

I've been watching the old episodes lately. Luv Sam!

[@cbman4767]

He did such a good job on this show and he was believable. I wish today's TV could do more like him.

[@mrs.creature3443]

Love you Sam!

[@Quirky76]

Will he do more commercials for Old Glory Robot Insurance?

[@madunwagbo4769]

Even more underrated than Capricorn One is his turn in Hopscotch with Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson

[@timkelly7911]

I’m glad he is being honest

[@shaliseshaw9385]

Nooooooo! ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️Sam Waterson shouldn't leave Law and Order. 🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🚔🚔🚔🗽📺I thought the news story about Sam Waterson leaving Law and Order was a rumor.

[@harjindercoutts6663]

I loved his character ❤ great actor

[@perplexedbystander6203]

I was surprised to hear Sam Waterston say "Not on your Nelly". It's such a British saying but Wikipedia says his father was born in Scotland. Though I'm not an expert on which expressions have or haven't crossed the Atlantic. SW is indeed an accomplished actor.

[@stuguy2]

This moment reminds me of Abe Vagoda retiring from " Barney Miller". 30 years!

[@carenwebb9044]

Love him.sad hes leaving

[@a-totally-random-person]

Love the guy, but no D.A. is that old. It's time.

[@andyh4518]

The guy Adam Schiff was based on left office in 2009 at the age of 90. It could happen since a lot of voters don't know a thing about their DA.

[@rolandmiller5456]

A quick history lesson: from 1942 until 2009 in New York City there were only two men that were were the district attorneys in New York. Frank Hogan had the job for 1942 until 1974 when he died. The guy that followed him was on the job from 1974 until 2009 he retired at the age of 86. Google a guy by the name of Robert Morgenthau. He died in 2019 just short of his 100th birthday.

[@a-totally-random-person]

@@rolandmiller5456 I'll take your word for it, but that's just ridiculous.

[@btbarr16]

I wish we could have got another few seasons of the Newsroom. A show like that today couldn't be more relevant.

[@mjs23336]

“Drunk on the freedom!” Thank you Sam!!

[@doogandoggin2571]

I know he's leaving Law &Order but, where are those eyebrows going? I'm sorry, I take that back. He rocks those eyebrows.

[@BabyMidgetToes]

How dare you!!! Those eyebrows have accomplished more in 1 day than you will do in a lifetime.

[@mychaeljones7526]

Him and Emilia Clarke should have a conversation but only move their eyebrows 😅😅😅

[@yootoob2]

Lol. I can’t help but stare at them.

[@jeffh06]

Wanna congratulate Sam waterson on his long running despite after the plug was pulled on the original til revived unexpected thought it would never return🤷🏻‍♂️

[@karenshurley4793]

Sam Waterston is leaving giant shoes to be filled on Law & Order; the man is an institution

[@censorshipsucks9493]

Falls Village is nice, and quiet.

[@criolla10]

NOOOOO!! he looks good, why ??? One of the bad things of getting older, is that actores, actress also get older, leave .... Thank you for coming back, L&O is not woke, is an old fashion great show. You will be missed....

[@yvonneplant9434]

Did he have any idea that he'd be doing this so long? ❤

[@barcelonachair6487]

I wish they would stream old episodes somewhere. They only have a very limited selection of seasons. I know some old episodes aren't politically correct anymore, but we are adults we can handle it. Lenny Briscoe wasn't made for Millennials.

[@robertbruce6865]

Brilliant actor. I have enjoyed his performances since I first saw him in Capricorn One. Watched him perform brilliantly in The Great Gatsby (the original). And his turn in The Newsroom was Acting School. My best to this great treasure!

[@anlewi1]

I already have my box of Kleenex ready.

[@Angel-np8rd]

Please don’t go 😢

[@DiscoCaldwell-gm2if]

He is one class act..

[@stewarta5993]

he was good as Lincoln

[@chrisfleming8908]

Ive only been watching law and order for the last few months now when I first saw Sam i said doesn't he look like Anthony Perkins from physco movie i think he would be perfect for the part

[@stacey3763]

You are constantly shooting episodes when u are on TV series. It's better now than it was when he started but such long hours.

[@DGot14U]

He looks better in this interview then he does in the series. They overdid his makeup in the series.

[@amyanderson6746]

To me, he will always be Cecil Colton from Rancho Deluxe.

[@Batfan166]

He was great in "Godless"!

[@uncleray3354]

Don't forget the EPIC movie "The Killing Fields"

[@laurastewart3486]

I only continued to watch L & O bc of Mr. Waterston. Also, ever since "Ghost", don't care for that actor T.G. 😢

[@anavictoria7688]

Do notttt mess with Kelly Rowland 😤

[@lynndenault4212]

What???? Tony Goldwyn. Yahoo

[@leonsighdoria1919]

He is old, wow, long career.

[@robertdepesci3418]

He was asked to let go of all the criminals. Couldn't bear to do it even if its fiction lol

[@stacystoltz8722]

😃👋🏻

[@johnwest194]

long overdue

[@freidafogarty3724]

Sam

[@Makaveli3k.]

I stopped watching law and order when they successfully prosecuted a wall street ceo😂😂😂😂 ( wouldn't happen IRL)

[@yootoob2]

🥲 I’m happy for him. You will be missed.

[@boybawang1981]

Wished they replaced him with Abbie!!