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Fred Thompson, the former U.S. senator for Tennessee and Law & Order actor, died in Nashville on Sunday. He was 73. The Watergate investigation attorney and Republican presidential candidate passed away after a recurrence of lymphoma, according to a family statement. “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,” the statement read. The 6-foot-6 film and television actor appeared in moves including The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard II, and Cape Fear. He also was chief minority counsel on the committee investigating the Watergate scandal and served in the U.S. Senate for eight years.