Sam Waterston: Movies, Awards & Box Office
- films
- 59
- on screen
- 1966–2024
- box office
- $99.6M
- nominations
- 5
- average score
- 58
- Born
- November 15, 1940 (age 85)
- Birthplace
- Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Full name
- Samuel Atkinson Waterston
- Citizenship
- American
- Occupations
- Actor
- Years active
- 1962-present
- Spouses
- Barbara Rutledge Johns, Lynn Louisa Woodruff
- Children
- 4
The Best Sam Waterston Movies
The films of Sam Waterston that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: On the Basis of Sex (2018) leads with $38.8M. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.
-
Worldwide box office: $38.8M On the Basis of Sex 2018 · Biography -
Worldwide box office: $34.7M The Killing Fields 1985 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $7.82M Serial Mom 1994 · Thriller -
Worldwide box office: $6.41M Just Between Friends 1986 · Romance -
Worldwide box office: $3.48M Heaven's Gate 1980 · Adventure -
Worldwide box office: $2.85M The Man in the Moon 1991 · Drama
Sam Waterston's Career in Numbers
Sam Waterston's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Sam Waterston works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from The Plastic Dome of Norma Jean (1966) to The Six Triple Eight (2024), and the 1980s were the busiest decade.
Sam Waterston Movies by Decade
- 1960s 4
- 1970s 12
- 1980s 15
- 1990s 13
- 2000s 2
- 2010s 7
- 2020s 1
The 1980s were Sam Waterston's busiest decade, with 15 films.
Sam Waterston Movies by Genre
- Drama 19
- Documentary 6
- Tv movie 6
- Comedy 6
- Romance 4
- Western 3
- Thriller 3
- Family 2
- Biography 1
- History 1
Drama is the genre Sam Waterston has worked in most, with 19 films, ahead of documentary (6).
Sam Waterston Career Milestones
- First film
- The Plastic Dome of Norma Jean 1966
- Biggest box office hit
- On the Basis of Sex $38.8M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- On the Basis of Sex Movie Echo Score 64
- Newest film
- The Six Triple Eight 2024
Sam Waterston Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Sam Waterston is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 58. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Sam Waterston Movies as an Actor
54- 2024
The Six Triple Eight as President Roosevelt · Drama Movie Echo Score: 52 - 2018
On the Basis of Sex as Erwin Griswold · Biography Worldwide box office: $38.8M Movie Echo Score: 64 - 2018
The Mayo Clinic as Charlie Mayo (voice) · Documentary - 2017
Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators as Narrator (voice) · Documentary - 2017
Godless as Marshall John Cook · Western Worldwide box office: $6.76K - 2016
Anesthesia Drama Worldwide box office: $78.3K - 2015
Dean Smith as Narrator · Documentary - 2011
Prohibition as Reader (voice) · Documentary - 2002
The Matthew Shepard Story as Dennis Shepard · Tv movie - 2000
A House Divided as David Dickson · Tv movie - 1999
The Unfinished Journey as Narrator (voice) · History - 1998
Miracle at Midnight as Dr. Karl Koster · Tv movie - 1997
Shadow Conspiracy as The President · Thriller Worldwide box office: $2.31M - 1997
Thomas Jefferson as Thomas Jefferson (voice) · Documentary - 1996
The Proprietor as Harry Bancroft · Drama - 1995
The Journey of August King as Mooney Wright · Drama Worldwide box office: $14.4K - 1994
The Enemy Within as President William Foster · Thriller - 1994
Serial Mom Thriller Worldwide box office: $7.82M - 1994
David’s Mother as John Nils · Tv movie - 1992
Earth and the American Dream as Reader (voice) · Documentary - 1991
The Man in the Moon Drama Worldwide box office: $2.85M - 1990
Mindwalk as Jack Edwards · Drama Worldwide box office: $774K - 1990
The Civil War as Abraham Lincoln · Drama - 1989
Welcome Home as Woody · Drama - 1989
Lantern Hill as Andrew Stuart · Family - 1988
Lincoln as Abraham Lincoln · Drama - 1987
September as Peter · Drama Worldwide box office: $486K - 1987
The Room Upstairs as Travis Coles · Romance - 1986
Just Between Friends as Harry Crandall · Romance Worldwide box office: $6.41M - 1985
Warning Sign as Cal Morse · Drama Worldwide box office: $1.92M - 1985
Finnegan Begin Again as Paul Broadbent · Romance - 1985
The Killing Fields Drama Worldwide box office: $34.7M - 1984
The Boy Who Loved Trolls as Ofoeti · Family - 1983
Dempsey as Doc Kearns · Drama - 1980
Heaven's Gate Adventure Worldwide box office: $3.48M - 1980
Hopscotch as Jack Cutter · Comedy - 1980
Sweet William as William McClusky · Drama - 1980
Oppenheimer as Robert Oppenheimer · Drama - 1979
Eagle’s Wing as White Bull · Western - 1979
Friendly Fire as C.D.B. Bryan · Tv movie - 1978
Capricorn One Action Worldwide box office: $402 - 1976
Sweet Revenge as Le Clerq · Comedy - 1975
Rancho Deluxe as Cecil Colson · Western - 1974
Reflections of Murder as Michael Elliott · Tv movie - 1973
The Glass Menagerie as Tom Wingfield · Drama - 1973
Much Ado About Nothing as Benedick · Comedy - 1972
Mahoney’s Last Stand as Felix · Comedy - 1972
Savages as James, the Limping Man · Comedy - 1971
Who Killed Mary Whats’ername? as Alex Monte · Mystery - 1970
Cover Me Babe as Cameraman · Drama - 1969
Three as Taylor · Drama - 1969
Generation as Desmond · Comedy - 1967
Fitzwilly as Oliver · Romance - 1966
The Plastic Dome of Norma Jean as Andy · Drama
Sam Waterston in Documentaries & Specials
5Sam Waterston: Awards & Nominations
5 nominations across 3 award bodies, from 1975 to 1985. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.
-
Golden Globes 3 nominations -
Oscars 1 nomination -
BAFTA 1 nomination
-
The 57th Academy Awards- Sam Waterston: Nominated Best Actor The Killing Fields
-
38th British Academy Film Awards- Sam Waterston: Nominated Best Actor The Killing Fields
-
42nd Golden Globe Awards- Sam Waterston: Nominated Best Actor – Drama The Killing Fields
-
32nd Golden Globe Awards- Sam Waterston: Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor) The Great Gatsby
- Sam Waterston: Nominated New Star of the Year – Actor The Great Gatsby
Who Is Sam Waterston?
Sam Waterston was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. in 1940 and is 85 years old. Credited on films since 1966, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Samuel Atkinson Waterston (born November 15, 1940) is an acclaimed American actor with a career that spans across theater, television, and film. Known for his versatile acting skills, he has received numerous accolades including a Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award. His acting career has spanned over five decades in stage and screen, leading to his induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2012 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.
Waterston began his career on the New York stage, impressing audiences with numerous Shakespearean performances. His portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in the Broadway play, 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois' earned him a Tony Award nomination. He transitioned successfully to the big screen, earning critical acclaim for roles in 'The Great Gatsby' and 'The Killing Fields', the latter of which led to an Academy Award nomination. Waterston also had notable roles in several Woody Allen films, demonstrating his ability to excel in a variety of genres. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Jack McCoy on the NBC crime series 'Law & Order', a role for which he received a Screen Actors Guild Award and several Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations. Waterston's consistent and high-level performances have cemented his place as one of America's most respected actors.
Who Sam Waterston Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Sam Waterston shares the most films with. Stockard Channing comes first, with 4 films together, followed by Jason Robards (3).
Sam Waterston: Questions & Answers
How many movies Sam Waterston has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Sam Waterston been in?
Sam Waterston is credited on 59 films, from 1966 to 2024. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is Sam Waterston's highest-grossing movie?
On the Basis of Sex (2018) is Sam Waterston's biggest box office hit, with $38.8M worldwide, ahead of The Killing Fields (1985) ($34.7M). Across every film with box office figures, Sam Waterston's movies have made $99.6M.
Sam Waterston's biggest hits What is the best Sam Waterston movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Sam Waterston's best-rated film is On the Basis of Sex (2018) with a score of 64, followed by The Six Triple Eight (2024) (52).
Best Sam Waterston movies, ranked Has Sam Waterston won an Oscar?
Sam Waterston has been nominated for an Oscar but has not won one yet. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Sam Waterston has 0 wins from 5 nominations.
How old is Sam Waterston?
Sam Waterston is 85 years old, born on November 15, 1940 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S..
What is Sam Waterston's newest movie?
The most recent film on Sam Waterston's filmography is The Six Triple Eight (2024), in the role of President Roosevelt.
Who does Sam Waterston work with most often?
Sam Waterston shares the most films with Stockard Channing (4 films), Jason Robards (3 films) and Ned Beatty (3 films).
The Best Sam Waterston Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 59 credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
