Fred Thompson

Ran for the 2008 Republican nomination for President of the United States; exited the race after finishing third in the South Carolina Primary

Portrayed commander in chief, Ulysses S. Grant in the HBO movie "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"

Cast in the Albert Brooks' comedy, “Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World”

Signed on with ABC News Radio to serve as a host, commentator, and fill-in for Paul Harvey

Played the role of Arthur Branch on both the original series and short-lived sister series “Law & Order: Trial by Jury” (NBC)

Made occasional appearances on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC)

In March, announced he would not seek re-election to the US Senate

Joined the cast of the long-running NBC series “Law & Order,” as Arthur Branch; becoming the first serving U.S. Senator to hold a full-time television acting job; asked to be released from the role in preparation for a 2008 presidential bid

Re-elected to the United States Senate (Tennessee)

Elected to the United States Senate (Tennessee), to fill the unexpired portion of the term left vacant by the resignation of Al Gore

Portrayed White House Chief of Staff in the film, “In the Line of Fire”

First TV miniseries, “Stay the Night”

TV-movie debut, “Bed of Lies”

Cast in the remake of the 1962 film, “Cape Fear” directed by Martin Scorsese

Cast in “The Hunt for Red October” starring Alec Baldwin and Sean Connery

Appeared as ‘Dr. Knox Pooley’ in the CBS series “Wiseguy”

First fictional role in a film, “No Way Out” as CIA Director Marshall

Made feature acting debut as himself in “Marie: A True Story”; film launched his acting career

Appeared in the documentary, “The Wobblies”

Took on a Tennessee Parole Board case that ultimately toppled Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton from power on charges of selling pardons; the scandal became the subject of a book and a movie titled “Marie”

Served as co-chief counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee in its investigation of the Watergate scandal

Campaign manager for Senator Howard Baker's successful re-election

Served as an assistant U.S. attorney

Born in Alabama

Raised in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee