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Sam Waterston Biography

Birth Name:Samuel Atkinson Waterston

Birth Place:Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Director

Fast Facts

The University of the South presented him with an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree in 2004
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health honored him with the Goodermote Humanitarian Award in 2012 for his support of refugees across the globe
Attended the Clinton Playhouse for several months after graduating from Yale and went to the Sorbonne and the American Actors Workshop
Quote: "I don't think playing a villain is my greatest talent․ If I have to be typecast, I'd like it to be as Abraham Lincoln․"
Quote: "I got a note from my father who said that success is wonderful, if you don't inhale․ That was his own aphorism, and I think it's the very best thing he could have said to me--or anyone else--on the subject․"
Often plays Presidents of the United States, appearing as Abraham Lincoln three times
Joined director Woody Allen's unofficial stock company in the late 1970s, appearing in "Interiors," "Hannah and Her Sisters," "September" and "Crimes and Misdemeanors․"
Became a board member of Oceana and has also donated time to other organizations including Refugees International, Meals on Wheels, The United Way and The Episcopal Actor's Guild of America
Has been identified as a general purpose actor in Leslie Halliwell's "Filmgoer's Companion," a label that he feels speaks both to his strength in slipping into any role, but also his relative lack of notable roles
Is a direct descendant of Richard Warren and Elizabeth Walker, who both came to the Americas aboard the Mayflower

Awards

1974Primetime Emmy-Best Supporting Actor in Drama: nominated
1975Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture: nominated
1975Golden Globe-Most Promising Newcomer - Male: nominated
1985Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1985BAFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1985Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1992Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
1993American Television Award-Best Actor in a Dramatic Series: winner
1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: winner
1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1993Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1995Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1995Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Informational Series: winner
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
1998Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: winner
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1999Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2000Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
2000TV Guide Award-Favorite Actor in a Drama: nominated
2000Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2001TV Guide Award-Actor of the Year in a Drama Series: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2002Gemini-Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: winner
2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Astra TV Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated