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Actor, former Sen. Fred Thompson dead at 73

By Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee not only ran for president this year but has actually played one on TV, as well as a district attorney on 'Law and Order.' He spoke before the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Tuesday.
By Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator from Tennessee, actor and presidential candidate, died Sunday. He was 73.

He died from a recurrence of lymphoma, according to The Tennessean.

His family issued a statement:

<span>"Fred once said that the experiences he had growing up in small-town Tennessee formed the prism through which he viewed the world and shaped the way he dealt with life.  Fred stood on principle and common sense, and had a deep love for and connection with the people across Tennessee whom he had the privilege to serve in the United States Senate.  He enjoyed a hearty laugh, a strong handshake, a good cigar, and a healthy dose of humility.  Fred was the same man on the floor of the Senate, the movie studio, or the town square of Lawrenceburg, his home.</span>

<span>"Fred believed that the greatness of our nation was defined by the hard work, faith, and honesty of its people.  He had an enduring belief in the exceptionalism of our country, and that America could provide the opportunity for any boy or girl, in any corner of our country, to succeed in life."</span>

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Thompson earned a Senate seat in 1994 to serve the remainder of Al Gore’s term. Thompson was elected to the seat in 1996 and chose not to run in 2002, according to The Tennessean.
He appeared on "Law & Order" in 2002. He left the role for politics when he made a bid for the Republican nomination during the 2008 presidential election.

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