Sam Waterston to announce shock retirement from acting?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Washington
  • Last updated on

Waterston created a stir on Wednesday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.
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Sad news for Waterston fans. Speculation had been rife that the American actor best known for his role on the television series Law & Order, is about to announce his retirement from acting, at age 85, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 05/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an actor isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an actor-producer-director just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouSam

For a little while on Wednesday evening, #ThankYouSam was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Sam Waterston was unlike any other actor we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouSam”
— @universalObserver, 4 Feb 2026
“I thought Sam Waterston retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 4 Feb 2026

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