Fred Thompson Net Worth. Freddie Dalton Thompson (August 19, 1942 – November 1, 2015) was an American politician, attorney, lobbyist, columnist, actor, and radio personality. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a United States senator from Tennessee from 1994 to 2003. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the Republican Party presidential primaries for the 2008 United States presidential election.
He chaired the International Security Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of State, was a member of the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as a visiting fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, specializing in national security and intelligence.
Net Worth Overview
- Net Worth: $8 Million
- Category: Richest Politicians ➔ Republicans
- Birthdate: August 19, 1942 – November 1, 2015 (73 years old)
- Birthplace: Sheffield, Alabama, United States
- Gender: Male
- Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.98 m)
- Profession: Actor, Politician, Public Speaker, Lawyer, Radio Personality, Journalist, Lobbyist
- Nationality: United States of America
Introduction
Fred Thompson was an American politician, actor, attorney, lobbyist, columnist, and radio host with a net worth of $8 million at the time of his passing. A former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (1994-2003), he also chaired the U.S. Department of State’s International Security Advisory Board and ran for the Republican nomination in the 2008 presidential election. Outside politics, Thompson had a successful acting career, starring in movies such as The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard 2, and Cape Fear, and portraying District Attorney Arthur Branch on Law & Order. He passed away on November 1, 2015, due to complications from lymphoma.
Early Life and Education
Fred Dalton Thompson was born on August 19, 1942, in Sheffield, Alabama, to parents Fletcher and Ruth Thompson. He grew up in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, where he graduated from Lawrence County High School in 1960.
Thompson became the first in his family to attend college, enrolling at Florence State College (now the University of North Alabama) before transferring to Memphis State University. In 1964, he earned a double degree in Political Science and Philosophy. He later pursued a Juris Doctor (JD) degree at Vanderbilt University Law School, graduating in 1967.
Legal Career and Watergate Scandal
After earning his law degree, Thompson was admitted to the Tennessee State Bar and began his legal career:
- 1969-1972: Served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.
- 1972: Became campaign manager for Republican Senator Howard Baker.
- 1973: Appointed Minority Counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee, where he played a pivotal role in uncovering the Nixon Oval Office tape recordings.
In the 1980s, Thompson built a successful private law practice, specializing in personal injury and white-collar defense cases. He also served as special counsel to various Senate committees, including Foreign Relations and Intelligence.
Political Career
U.S. Senate (1994-2003)
Thompson was elected in 1994 to complete Al Gore’s unfinished Senate term and won re-election in 1996. During his tenure, he:
- Chaired the Committee on Governmental Affairs (1997-2001).
- Served on the Finance Committee, Intelligence Committee, and National Security Working Group.
- Advocated for campaign finance reform and government accountability.
- Voted to convict President Bill Clinton on charges of obstruction of justice during his impeachment trial.
He chose not to seek re-election in 2002.
Presidential Run (2008)
In 2008, Thompson entered the Republican presidential primaries but failed to gain traction. He dropped out after poor performance in early primaries and later endorsed John McCain.
Acting Career
Thompson transitioned to acting in the 1980s, making his debut playing himself in Marie (1985), a film based on a real-life case he handled. His acting career included roles in numerous films and television series, often portraying authority figures.
Notable Film Roles
- No Way Out (1987) ➔ CIA Director Marshall
- The Hunt for Red October (1990) ➔ Rear Admiral Painter
- Days of Thunder (1990) ➔ NASCAR President
- Die Hard 2 (1990) ➔ Air Traffic Control Director
- Cape Fear (1991) ➔ District Attorney Tom Broadbent
- In the Line of Fire (1993) ➔ White House Chief of Staff
- Secretariat (2010) ➔ Bull Hancock
Television Career
Thompson became widely recognized for his role as District Attorney Arthur Branch in Law & Order (2002-2007). He also appeared in:
- Matlock
- The Good Wife
- Sex and the City
- Allegiance
- Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Radio and Lobbying Career
Radio Career
Thompson briefly worked as a senior analyst for ABC News Radio (2006-2007) before launching his own talk radio show, The Fred Thompson Show, on Westwood One (2009-2011).
Lobbying
Throughout his career, Thompson was a prominent lobbyist, earning approximately $1 million from representing clients in Washington, D.C. He was also Chairman of the U.S. Department of State’s International Security Advisory Board (2002-2005).
Personal Life and Death
Family Life
Thompson was married twice:
- Sarah Lindsey (1959-1985): Had three children – Tony, Daniel, and Elizabeth.
- Jeri Kehn (2002-2015): Had two children – Hayden and Samuel.
Health and Death
- 2004: Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- 2015: Passed away from a recurrence of the disease at age 73.
Fred Thompson’s Legacy
Fred Thompson left behind a remarkable legacy in politics, law, acting, and media. From helping uncover Watergate to his role in Law & Order, his career spanned law, governance, entertainment, and public service. His $8 million net worth reflected his contributions across various industries, making him one of the most well-recognized multi-faceted personalities in American history.
