My Fred Thompson ancedote; shared a senate subway car with him, Hal Heflan, my kids and father. Intoductions were made and Heflan asked my 10 year-old son about the chain hanging from his belt loop.
‘It’s for my wallet’ which he pulled out to show the senator.
Heflan replied, ‘how much money you got in that wallet, son’?
As my son started to show him, Sen. Thompson reached out and stopped him saying, ‘son let this be a lesson for you. ~Never~ open your wallet in front of a democrat’.
Ha! Awesome little tale.
I’m more familiar with him via his role on L&O. He brought a welcome & much-needed note of conservatism to that show.
A dignified guy who, unlike most “entertainers”, would never have turned the office of President into the tragi-comic opera it is today.
RIP, Senator.