He was born on November 15, 1940, and will be 85 years old in 2025. His part as Jack McCoy on NBC’s “Law & Order,” which he played for 19 seasons over 30 years, made him famous. He is a respected actor, producer, and director from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Waterston’s work stretches over more than 60 years and includes acclaimed roles on stage, in films, and on TV. Sam Waterston was in a lot of important films, like The Killing Fields (1984), which got him nominated for an Academy Award. It is thought that by 2025, his long-term TV parts, movie projects, and theatre work had earned him about $16 million.
He is married to Lynn Louisa Woodruff and has kept their family life quiet despite their fame. Following her departure from “Law & Order” in 2024, Waterston continued to work as an actress. She most recently appeared in Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie” and Hulu’s “The Dropout,” playing a variety of parts on screen and behind the scenes in the business.
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samuel Atkinson Waterston |
| Date of Birth | November 15, 1940 |
| Age in 2025 | 84 |
| Birthplace | Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer |
| Known For | Jack McCoy in Law & Order, Sydney Schanberg in The Killing Fields, Abraham Lincoln roles |
| Career Span | Over 50 years (1960s–present) |
| Awards | Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award; nominations for Academy Award, Tony Award, BAFTA Awards |
| Notable Roles | Jack McCoy (Law & Order), Charlie Skinner (The Newsroom), Sydney Schanberg (The Killing Fields), Abraham Lincoln (multiple productions) |
| Education | Studied at the Sorbonne (Paris), American Actors Workshop |
| Theater Highlights | Public Theatre productions including Hamlet, Measure for Measure, Tony-nominated for Abe Lincoln in Illinois |
| Net Worth (est.) | Approx. $16 million |
| Marital Status | Married to Lynn Louisa Woodruff |
| Recent Activity | Continued acting on TV (e.g., Grace and Frankie, The Dropout) and film, focused on diverse roles after Law & Order finale in 2024 |
Sam Waterston Net Worth in 2025
Sam Waterston’s estimated net worth in 2024 is around $16 million. He got that money from acting, endorsements (most famously as the long-time spokesperson for TD Ameritrade from 2003–2012), and public speaking. His wealth is on par with that of actors like Martin Sheen, Mariska Hargitay, and Jane Fonda, who all have well-known jobs and a variety of ways to make money. His steady income from Law & Order episodes and advertising is what keeps his finances together.
Also Read More: Ralph Barbosa Net Worth (2025) Age, Comedy & Lifestyle
Income and Business Ventures
Sam Waterston has made most of his money from acting for decades, especially from his part as Jack McCoy on Law & Order, where he reportedly made between $75,000 and $100,000 per episode. With more than 400 episodes under his belt, this job made him a considerable amount of money. Along with films and TV shows, his roles in shows like Grace and Frankie and The Dropout have given him steady income over the years.
Waterston has worked as a producer and director, which has added to his income in the entertainment industry, but he doesn’t do many business projects outside of acting. Different sources say that he is worth between $16 million and $60 million. Most of his money comes from starring jobs, awards, and a long history of being in TV shows and movies.
Comparison with other Celebrities
| Celebrity | Estimated Net Worth (2025) | Notable Work |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Waterston | $16 Million | Law & Order, The Killing Fields, Grace and Frankie |
| Camryn Manheim | $12 million | Law & Order, The Practice |
| Katherine Waterston (his daughter) | $2 million | Fantastic Beasts, Inherent Vice |
| Meryl Streep | Estimated $160 million+ | Iconic film career, multiple Academy Awards |
| Jeff Bridges | Estimated $70 million+ | The Big Lebowski, True Grit |
Who is Sam Waterston?
As a child, Samuel Atkinson Waterston started his career in theater by appearing in many Shakespeare revivals and new plays at the Public Theater in New York. He was born on November 15, 1940. He stands about 6 feet 2 inches tall. Concerning Waterston’s religion, not much is known about him, and it doesn’t seem to be an important part of his public image.
Career Highlights & “Law & Order” Legacy
Early on, Waterston became famous for his parts in Shakespearean plays and on Broadway. For example, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as Abraham Lincoln in Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1993). The Great Gatsby (1974) and The Killing Fields (1984) were his big breaks in movies. For The Killing Fields, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Sam Waterston started playing Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy on Law & Order in 1994, which made him the second longest-running actor on the show. He would go on to appear in 19 seasons and 405 episodes, ending in 2024. He won a Screen Actors Guild Award for this part and was nominated for several Emmys and Golden Globes. Waterston’s acting helped make the law-and-crime genre popular on TV. He played McCoy as a guest star on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Homicide: Life on the Street.
Personal Life & Family
Waterston has been married twice. Lynn Louisa Woodruff, his current wife, was a model before they got married in 1976. Together, they have three kids: Elisabeth (born 1977), Katherine (born 1980), and Graham (born 1983). All three of them work in the entertainment business in different ways. From his first marriage to Barbara Rutledge Johns (1964–1975), Waterston also has a son named James, who was born in 1969. His children have also become actors and film producers, showing that the arts are very important to the whole family.
Health & Wellness
Concerning his health, there have been rumors that Waterston has Parkinson’s disease, but he has not stated to the public that he has this disease or any other long-term illness. He stays busy at work, which suggests he takes good care of his health. He has also done advocacy work that is related to his action but not directly related to his health.
Physical Measurements
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) |
| Weight | 158 – 181 lbs (72 – 82 kg) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | White (formerly dark brown) |
| Body Build | Slim/Athletic |
| Chest Size | Not publicly available |
| Waist Size | Not publicly available |
| Shoe Size | Not publicly confirmed (estimated around US 11) |
Legacy & Influence
Waterston has had a huge impact on legal and crime dramas, changing how prosecutors are presented on TV. His role as a mentor and public image as a trustworthy and smart person have won him awards and respect from his peers. Awards and honours like a Screen Actors Guild Award, Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, a Tony Award mention, and his 2010 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame show how experienced and reliable he is in the entertainment business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much Sam Waterston get paid for a show?
While he was on Law & Order, Sam Waterston made anywhere from $75,000 to $100,000 per episode for his part. The exact amount, though, changed over time.
How is Sam Waterston right now?
His job is to act in pictures, TV shows, and plays, and he is also politically active.
What faith does Sam Waterston follow?
There isn’t any important public information about his religious views.
Does Sam Waterston still have a wife?
He married to Lynn Louisa Woodruff since 1976.
What is wrong with Sam Waterston?
Not a single source has proven that he has Parkinson’s or any other disease.
Conclusion
Sam Waterston’s career highlights, from Shakespearean theatre to his famous part as Jack McCoy, along with his estimated $16 million net worth and busy personal and professional life, show how to be successful and dedicated over time. Even though she is getting older, Waterston is a great example of a hard worker who will always be relevant in the entertainment industry. Fans are welcome to talk about their favourite parts that Sam Waterston has played or anything surprising they’ve learnt about his life and work.
Also Read More: Pasquale Rotella Net Worth (2025) Age, Career & Biography
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://magazineecho.com/sam-waterston-net-worth/&media=https://magazineecho.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sam-Waterston-Net-Worth.png&description=Sam Waterston Net Worth is $16 Million. He was born on November 15, 1940. He is famous because of television series "Law & Order".){kind=link}