Fred Thompson, with his towering 6ft 5 (195.6 cm) stature, embodied authority and presence in both acting and politics.
His imposing height perfectly suited his iconic role as District Attorney Arthur Branch on Law & Order, where he commanded the courtroom with gravitas from 2002 to 2007.
Thompson's film highlights include CIA Deputy Director Trent Porter in Die Hard 2 (1990) and White House Chief of Staff Harry Sargent in In the Line of Fire (1993), roles amplified by his physical dominance.
A U.S. Senator from Tennessee (1994-2003) and 2008 Republican presidential candidate, his height reinforced his image as a formidable leader.