News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Sam Waterston Headshot

Sam Waterston

Birth Place: Cambridge, MA, USA

Get Sam Waterston Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

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]

[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
Prince Hal

[Off-Broadway]
1968
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]

[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

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

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


Actor-Director Nesbitt Blaisdell Has Passed Away

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
Peter Van Norden to Receive the Actors' Equity Foundation's Michael McCarty Recognition Award

The Actors’ Equity Foundation will bestow its 2024 Michael McCarty Recognition Award to actor Peter Van Norden. Learn more about Van Norden and about the award.
Interview: Lee Blessing And Joe Bishara of A WALK IN THE WOODS at Abbey Theatre Of Dublin

“I wish A WALK IN THE WOODS did not feel as timely now as it did when it was originally produced. … This play illuminates the importance for each of us as citizens of the world to understand that there are many layers to foreign politics/relations.” Joe Bishara
Fountain Theatre Co-Founding Artistic Director Stephen Sachs Will Retire

After 34 years as artistic director, Fountain Theatre co-founder Stephen Sachs has announced his retirement at the end of 2024.
Photos: Inside the 2023 Manhattan Theatre Club Fall Benefit With Christine Baranski, Nathan Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker, and More!

Manhattan Theatre Club hosted its 2023 Fall Benefit on Monday, November 13. The evening began at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) with an advance screening of the new film ALL ARTS Docs: Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists ahead of its November 21 premiere on ALL ARTS.
ALL ARTS DOCS: MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB, A HOME FOR ARTISTS Lifts The Curtain On History And Influence Of Iconic Theater

Celeb Studded ‘ALL ARTS Docs: Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists’ explores the history and influence of the iconic theater. Featuring interviews with Sarah Jessica Parker, Christine Baranski, and more. Premieres on November 21 at 9pm ET on ALL ARTS.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson Attends MODERN FAMILY Daughter Aubrey Anderson-Emmons's School Play

We've got pictures as Jesse Tyler Ferguson reunited with his Modern Family TV daughter Aubrey Anderson-Emmon when he attended her high school production of The Burn last week.
Video: Go Behind the Scenes at Manhattan Theatre Club in New ALL ARTS Film This Month

Debuting on ALL ARTS on Tuesday, November 21 at 9 p.m., the hour-long “ALL ARTS Docs: Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists” traces the nonprofit Manhattan Theatre Club‘s storied 50-year history under the leadership of its artistic director Lynne Meadow and executive producer Barry Grove, Check out a sneak peek in this video!
Christine Baranski, Nathan Lane & Sarah Jessica Parker to Appear at Manhattan Theatre Club 2023 Fall Benefit

Manhattan Theatre Club will present its 2023 Fall Benefit on Monday, November 13. See who is attending and learn how to purchase tickets!
Red Bull Theater to Continue Revelation Readings With THE INN AT LYDDA

RED BULL THEATER will present THE INN AT LYDDA featuring Amir Arison, Alfredo Narciso, Jay O. Sanders, and more in their Revelation Readings series.
New Documentary Will Tell the History of Manhattan Theatre Club

​​​​​​​ALL ARTS, the streaming platform and channel dedicated to the arts, will debut the new film ALL ARTS Docs: Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists on Tuesday, November 21 at 9 p.m. ET. Learn more about the documentary and find out where you can watch it here!
Video: Go Behind Manhattan Theatre Club in New ALL ARTS Doc With Sarah Jessica Parker, André De Shields & More

Through interviews with stage and screen stars who honed their craft at Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC), including David Auburn, Christine Baranski, André De Shields, Laura Linney, John Patrick Shanley, Sarah Jessica Parker and Sam Waterston, the film chronicles the career-making momentsthat have come to define MTC. Watch a video trailer!
Photos: Inside A BRIEF INTERMISSION, Celebrating the Delacorte Theater

The Public Theater's special, one-night-only event, A BRIEF INTERMISSION, was held on Wednesday, September 6 at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos here!
ADOPT A SAILOR - 50 State Tour Passes Halfway Mark

The 'Adopt a Sailor - 50 State Tour'-a nationwide tour of Charles Evered's acclaimed play 'Adopt a Sailor' has reached its 26th state, with twenty four to go.

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 prestigious awards throughout his career. He received the Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards for his role in Abe Lincoln in Illinois. He also won the Best Actor in a Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. Additionally, he earned the Outstanding Performance Award from the Drama Desk Awards for Much Ado About Nothing and was recognized with Distinguished Performances at the Obie Awards for Much Ado About Nothing as well.

Get Sam Waterston Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos