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Sam Waterston

Birth Place: Cambridge, MA, USA

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BIO

Samuel Atkinson Waterston is an American actor. Waterston is known for his work in theater, television, and film. He has received numerous accolades including a Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a BAFTA Award.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2015
Prospero


[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2011
King Lear


[Off-Broadway]
2008
Polonius


[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park, 2004
Leonato


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1993
Abe Lincoln


[Off-Broadway]
1989
Andrew Makepeace Ladd III [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
John Honeyman


[Broadway]
1985
David


[Off-Broadway]
1982
Alexander Ignatevich Vershinin


[Off-Broadway]
1982
Joshua Hickman


[Broadway]
1980
Oliver


[Off-Broadway]
1977
Phil


[Off-Broadway]
1976
Vincentio


[Broadway]
1975
Hamlet


[Off-Broadway]
1975
Hamlet/ Ghost


[Broadway]
1975
Torvald Helmer


[Off-Broadway]
1974
Prospero


[Broadway]
1972
Signior Benedick of Padua


[Off-Broadway]
1972
Benedick


[Off-Broadway]
1972
Laertes


[Off-Broadway]
1971
Cloten


[Broadway]
1971
Thomas Lewis


[Broadway]
1970
Simon Bliss


[Broadway]
1969
John Grass


[Off-Broadway]
1969
Gary Rogers


[Off-Broadway]
1968
Prince Hal


[Off-Broadway]
1968


[Off-Broadway]
1968
Jack Argue (Muzeeka)

Jim (Red Cross)

Jack Argue (Muzeeka)

Jim (Red Cross)

[Off-Broadway]
1968
Aslan


[Broadway]
1967
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
1967
Aburbio


[Off-Broadway]
1967
Kent


[Off-Broadway]
1966
Woodfin (Fitz)


[Off-Broadway]
1964
Colin [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1963
Wessy


Movies

The Plastic Dome of Norma Jean
[ 1966 ] Andy
Fitzwilly
[ 1967 ] Oliver
Generation
[ 1969 ] Desmond
Three
[ 1969 ] Taylor
Cover Me Babe
[ 1970 ] Cameraman
Who Killed Mary Whats'ername?
[ 1971 ] Alex Monte
Mahoney's Estate
[ 1972 ] Felix
Savages
[ 1972 ] James, the Limping Man
The Great Gatsby
[ 1974 ] Nick Carraway
Rancho Deluxe
[ 1975 ] Cecil Colson
Journey Into Fear
[ 1975 ] Mr. Graham
Sweet Revenge
[ 1976 ] Le Clerq
Capricorn One
[ 1977 ] Peter Willis
Interiors
[ 1978 ] Mike
Eagle's Wing
[ 1979 ] White Bull
Heaven's Gate
[ 1980 ] Frank Canton
Hopscotch
[ 1980 ] Joe Cutter
Sweet William
[ 1980 ] William McClusky
The Killing Fields
[ 1984 ] Sydney Schanberg
Warning Sign
[ 1985 ] Cal Morse
Just Between Friends
[ 1986 ] Harry Crandall
Flagrant désir
[ 1986 ] Inspecteur Gerry Morrison
Devil's Paradise
[ 1987 ] Jones
September
[ 1987 ] Peter
Crimes and Misdemeanors
[ 1989 ] Ben
Welcome Home
[ 1989 ] Woody
Mindwalk
[ 1990 ] Jack Edwards
A Captive in the Land
[ 1990 ] Royce
The Man in the Moon
[ 1991 ] Matthew Trant
Serial Mom
[ 1994 ] Dad
Nixon
[ 1995 ] CIA Director Richard Helms
The Journey of August King
[ 1995 ] Mooney Wright
The Proprietor
[ 1996 ] Harry Bancroft
Shadow Conspiracy
[ 1997 ] The President
The Divorce
[ 2003 ] Chester Walker
The Commission
[ 2003 ] J. Lee Rankin
Please Be Normal
[ 2014 ] Dad
Anesthesia
[ 2015 ] Walter Zarrow
Miss Sloane
[ 2016 ] George Dupont
On the Basis of Sex
[ 2018 ] Erwin Griswold
The Man in the Woods
[ 2020 ] Headmter Waldorf
The Six Triple Eight
[ 2024 ] President Roosevelt

TV Shows

Grace and Frankie
Sol Bergstein
Homicide: Life on the Street
EADA Jack McCoy
I'll Fly Away
Forrest Bedford
Law & Order
John James 'Jack' McCoy
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
John James 'Jack' McCoy
The Newsroom
Charlie Skinner
Law & Order
[ 1994-2024 ] DA Jack McCoyInterim

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 1994 - Distinguished Performance Award

Sam Waterston, Abe Lincoln in Illinois


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1994 - Best Actor - Play

Sam Waterston, Abe Lincoln in Illinois

Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Sam Waterston , Abe Lincoln in Illinois

Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Sam Waterston, Abe Lincoln in Illinois


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Performance

Sam Waterston, Much Ado About Nothing


winner
Obie Awards - 1973 - Distinguished Performances

Sam Waterston, Much Ado About Nothing

Videos

News


Stage and Screen Actress Loretta Swit Dies at 87
by Stephi Wild - May 30, 2025

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that stage and screen actress Loretta Swit has died at age 87. She passed away on May 30th, 2025, at her home in New York City.
John Cazale 90th Anniversary Retrospective to Play at Film Forum in June
by Josh Sharpe - May 21, 2025

A retrospective of the short but extraordinary movie career of actor John Cazale, whose five films–THE GODFATHER, THE GODFATHER PART II, THE CONVERSATION, THE DEER HUNTER, DOG DAY AFTERNOON–were all Oscar Best Picture winners or nominees, will run at Film Forum from Friday, June 13 to Thursday, June 19.
Photos: Andrea Marcovicci Celebrated Mother's Day with PERSPICACITY at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - May 13, 2025

The 5/11 show was filled with Marcovicci's signature wit and superb singing, focusing on the loving relationship of parent and child. See highlights from the show snapped by photographer Conor Weiss.
Sierra Boggess and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond including Sierra Boggess, Lea DeLaria and more! 
John Douglas Thompson and More to be Honored at Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2025

John Douglas Thompson will be presented with the Matador Award for Extraordinary Achievement and more when Red Bull Theater presents the annual Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit. Learn more and see how to attend.
See Tom Kitt Featuring Ariana DeBose and More at 54 Below in May
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 25, 2025

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. The lineup includes Tom Kitt featuring Ariana DeBose, plus more! 
THE SOPRANOS Star Dominic Chianese Will Appear at Town Hall
by Stephi Wild - Apr 8, 2025

Dominic Chianese from 'The Sopranos' will appear for one night only at the Town Hall. The evening will be directed by Will Nunziata. Learn more about the event here!
John Douglas Thompson and Rocco Sisto Will Lead Red Bull Theater's OEDIPUS
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2025

Red Bull Theater has announced the cast for the next offering of Revelation Readings season: Sophocles’s OEDIPUS, translated by Timberlake Wertenbaker and adapted and directed by Carey Perloff.
James Bundy to Step Down From Positions at David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2025

James Bundy, who has served Yale since 2002 as the fifth Elizabeth Parker Ware Dean of David Geffen School of Drama and fourth Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre, will step down from these positions on June 30, 2026.
ADOPT A SAILOR -- 50 STATE TOUR Makes Final Stop In Charlottesville
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2025

Award winning playwright Charles Evered’s play “Adopt a Sailor” has been on a nationwide tour since 2018 to garner support for the Evered House, the playwright’s non-profit that supports creative military members and others who serve. 
John Douglas Thompson To Be Honored At Red Bull Theater Benefit
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 15, 2025

Red Bull Theater has announced that John Douglas Thompson will be presented with the Matador Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Classical Theater at the Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit.
Photos: Kerry Washington, Bradley Cooper, & More Attend THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT NYC Screening
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 18, 2024

On December 16th, the cast and crew of Netflix's hit film The Six Triple Eight attended a New York Tastemaker event at the Crosby Hotel. The event featured Kerry Washington, Tyler Perry, Bradley Cooper, Jerry Seinfeld, Gayle King, Katie Couric and more in attendance. Take a look at photos here!
Video: THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT New Trailer with Kerry Washington
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 25, 2024

Netflix has released a new trailer for Tyler Perry's The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington. The movie will hit the streamer on December 20, following a small theatrical release on December 6. Watch the trailer now.
Actor-Director Nesbitt Blaisdell Has Passed Away
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 31, 2024

Nesbitt Blaisdell, a lifelong actor and director, passed away at 95. Known for his work with the Anna Sokolow Dance Troupe and teaching theater, he had a rich career in both acting and education.
A CASE FOR LOVE Documentary Now Available to Stream
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 1, 2024

Grace-Based Films' documentary A CASE FOR LOVE, directed by Brian Ide, debuts on major TVOD platforms in the US and Canada. The film, inspired by Bishop Michael B. Curry, explores unselfish love as a solution to societal division.
A CASE FOR LOVE Documentary Set to Debut on Digital in October
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 10, 2024

Grace-Based Films announced the debut of the documentary A CASE FOR LOVE on major TVOD platforms in the US and Canada on October 1st. The film, inspired by Bishop Michael B. Curry, explores unselfish love amidst societal division.
SACRED RIGHTS, SACRED SONG, A SERVICE FOR THE SACRED CENTER Makes Off Broadway Debut
by Stephi Wild - Sep 3, 2024

Mourning Doves Rising in association with Amas Musical Theater, Donna Trinkoff Artistic Producer, Jonathan S. Cerullo / JSCTheatricals and Sharon Litwinoff will present Sacred Rights, Sacred Song, A Service for the Sacred Center on Wednesday September 11 and Sunday September 22 at 7:00 pm.
Video/Photos: First Look at Kerry Washington in THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 28, 2024

Netflix has released a new teaser and first-look images for Tyler Perry's The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington. The movie will hit the streamer on December 20, following a small theatrical release on December 6.
SNL Stars on the Broadway Stage
by Stephi Wild - Jul 27, 2024

Ana Gasteyer is not the only Saturday Night Live alum to have flexed her acting muscles on the Broadway stage. BroadwayWorld is rounding up your favorite SNL stars who are also Broadway stars. Check out our list here!
THE BEAR, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, & More Receive 2024 Astra TV Awards Nominations; See the Full List
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 9, 2024

With 15 nominations, FX’s The Bear was the most nominated series this year, followed by Max’s Hacks and Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building with 13 each. ABC’s Abbott Elementary and CBS’s Ghosts are tied for third place, with 11 nominations each.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Sam Waterston been in?

Sam Waterston has appeared on Broadway in 12 shows.

How many West End shows has Sam Waterston been in?

Sam Waterston has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Sam Waterston been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Best Actor - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Much Ado About Nothing and Distinguished Performances (Obie Awards) for Much Ado About Nothing.

What awards has Sam Waterston won?

Sam Waterston has won several notable awards, including the Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards for his role as Abe Lincoln in Illinois. He also received the Best Actor - Play award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same performance. Additionally, he earned the Outstanding Performance award from the Drama Desk Awards for Much Ado About Nothing, as well as the Distinguished Performances award from the Obie Awards for Much Ado About Nothing.

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Videos