Sam Waterston, the actor who played District Attorney Jack McCoy on the long-running procedural Law & Order, has finally retired after starring in no less than 400 episodes of the show. A part of the show since its 5th season in 1994, the actor is being succeeded by Scandal star Tony Goldwyn, who will be taking over as the District Attorney in the series,
The 83-year-old actor decided to speak with Today to talk about how he felt about not having the role, for the first time in 30 years, and what he had in mind as we advance. The actor’s last episode, which aired on Thursday, had the Mayor’s office exert some force on the DA’s position, giving us a brilliant moment with Waterston as the DA.
Sam Waterston is excited about his replacement
Sam Waterston has spoken about his replacement Tony Goldwyn’s entry into the franchise, who will be taking over the DA’s office as Nicholas Baxter. Sam Waterston, speaking to Today, said:
“I think he’s going to be great. You know, my reputation is in terrible danger, because I think he’s just going to be wonderful and I’ll be watching. But I think… it’s going to be big trouble. It’ll be what the DA is: demanding…”
Sam Waterston does not plan to retire from eating anytime soon and wishes to continue his career in the arts. He has also said that there is little chance of him returning to the show, though fans can expect to see a picture of him here and there, The actor further revealed:
“I knew I was going to leave when I came back, and it was just a matter of when. This was a beautiful way to go I have to say.”
The actor said that his exit from the show felt ‘freeing’ and that he is looking forward to the next project that comes his way, which will be in the hands of his wife and manager.
Sam Waterston felt less ‘occupied’ after walking off of set
The actor seems to have had a great run on the show, and his farewell has come with boons of its own. Talking about what it felt like walking off of set after his big day, the actor revealed:
“I can’t tell you how freeing it is. It happened the minute I was walking off the set of the courtroom on that last day. Suddenly, there was space in my head that I didn’t even know there was that had been occupied by the job forever.”
The actor has been a part of the project for a long time, being with the franchise since its 5th season, and through its hiatus, returning for the last time in 2022. The actor has had a lot of fond memories with the show but is seemingly done with it for the foreseeable future. Waterston has expressed the freedom that he now feels, not having show be a constant presence in his head, and looks forward to other opportunities that might come his way.
