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Where does the time go?
The above is the question we’re asking ourselves after it was announced that venerable and longtime Law & Order actor Sam Waterston (who has the best set of eyebrows this side of Groucho Marx!) will be leaving the ratings champ of a show as of February 22. This sad bit of news was broken by our Life Goes On muchachos over at The Hollywood Reporter. Stepping into Waterston’s oversized and legendary shoes will be fellow thespian Tony Goldwyn (who in our minds will always be hapless victim “Darren” in the 1986 horror flick Friday the 13th VI: Jason Lives; hey, we all gotta start somewhere, right?).
Since originating the role of Manhattan District Attorney Jack McCoy in NBC’s insanely popular Law & Order back in 1994, Sam Waterston has been a fan-favorite. And though that thirty year run isn’t consecutive, his presence has always been part and parcel of the show, whether he’s on camera or not; The man casts a long shadow.
In a press release announcing his retirement from the role of Jack McCoy, Waterston painted a happy face even as he announced his departure for greener pastures: “Greetings, you wonderful people. It’s a pleasure to talk directly like this to the backbone of Law & Order’s absolutely amazing audience. The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me. There’s sadness in leaving, but I’m just too curious about what’s next. An actor doesn’t want to let himself get too comfortable. I’m more grateful to you than I can say. L&O’s continuing and amazing long run, along with its astounding comeback, is all thanks to you and Dick Wolf, but for whose vision, patience, perseverance, and unique combination of creative and business talents, none of this would have happened. I feel very blessed. I hope to see you all on the flip side.”
No word on precisely how Waterston will be written out of Law & Order, but at least his replacement more than has his own credentials when it comes to this seemingly never-ending show: Tony Goldwyn actually helmed an episode of the series way back in 2006, more than making him qualified to hit the ground running in our proverbial book.
Get set to check out Sam Waterston’s swan song with Law & Order on February 22 and tell ‘em Vents sent you!
