LAW & Order's actor Sam Waterston has admitted that leaving the show has been freeing for him.
In an interview with Today, he gave a special thanks to his fans who have been watching him for over 30 years.
Law & Order star Sam Waterston admitted it was 'freeing' to be leaving the show after 30 yearsCredit: Getty Images
In an interview with Today, Sam clarified that while he was leaving Law & Order, he was not leaving acting completelyCredit: NBC
Speaking to Today's anchors, including Al Roker and Sheinelle Jones, Sam, 83, offered up his thoughts on leaving his iconic role behind.
When asked how it made him feel to be leaving the role after 30 years, he responded with a chipper "fine!"
The hosts had a big laugh together at his remark.
"It does! I knew I was gonna leave when I came back, and it was just a matter of when, and this was a beautiful way to go, I have to say," the actor explained.
He also shot down rumors of potential Jack appearances in the show in the future jokingly.
"Does it seem like it's been 30 years?" Al, 69, asked.
"Yeah!" Sam replied.
That brought forth another round of laughter from the hosts.
"I mean, 25 or 30 years gets your attention. When they said goodbye to me, the last shot I did was a shot of me in the courtroom, Dick Wolf showed up, everybody gave speeches, and I quoted from Abrham Lincoln going to DC at the beginning of the Civil War: 'If 25 years doesn't matter, nothing matters'," the former Law & Order star replied.
Still, Sam said he there was "not a chance" he was retiring.
But he wouldn't be actively looking for jobs, as Al inquired.
"I can't tell you how freeing it is," Sam said with some relief.
"Suddenly, there was space in my head that I didn't even know there was that had been occupied by the job by…forever!" he said with a laugh.
He was overjoyed to say he'd be looking at the world through his own eyes now that he's no longer appearing on the legal drama.
"I'm a little bit drunk just on the freedom," he said.
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‘We’ve lost our good friend’ Law & Order fans cry as show gives emotional sendoff for Sam Waterston’s final episode
GOODBYE TO JACK
Jack's ending on the series was all about closure for longtime fans.
Jack McCoy's ending was as honorable as possible, and it gave the character the closure he deserved.
He made his way to the courtroom to try a murder case that involved a high-profile defendant – a wealthy man with a personal relationship with the mayor of New York.
During Sam's final monologue, he sums up the morality of his character, saying: “When I was elected district attorney, I gave a pledge to the citizens of New York to act fairly and ethically, without bias or favor, to always act with integrity.
"During my time as district attorney, I’ve tried my best to uphold that sacred oath in the pursuit of justice.
"Now, members of the jury, it’s your turn to act fairly and ethically without bias or favor and find the defendant guilty of murder.”
After his case, he stepped down as DA stating: "It’s time. It just is."
Of course, Jack won his final case.
WE LOVE MCCOY
On X, formerly known as Twitter, fans sobbed over the loss of their favorite character.
Speaking on Sam's final episode, a fan said: "The homie Jack McCoy sacrificed his career to put the mogul in prison. I’ll miss you, sir."
"Sam Paterson's last night tonight as Jack McCoy on Law & Order. I teared up at the end.
"It was like losing a damn friend. He had a great run!!" added another.
A third wrote: "I'm trying to hold it together gonna miss Jack! @SamWaterson thanks for entertaining us for all of these years."
"Glad Sam Waterston has had such a lengthy run as Jack McCoy. Wonder what he’ll do next," commented a fan.
A fifth said: "The show won’t be the same without the great #JackMccoy. He will be sorely missed," with a crying emoji.
He gushed over there being 'space' in his head that the job had taken up for so longCredit: NBC
Sam touched on seeing the world through his eyes and not a character's for the first time in so longCredit: NBC
He won't actively be seeking his next role but trusts his wife and manager to assist with thatCredit: NBC
