Fred Thompson, former U.S. senator and actor, dies in Tennessee

(CNN)Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator for Tennessee and actor, has died. He was 73.

Thompson died after a recurrence of lymphoma, his family said in a statement Sunday. He was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma more than a decade ago.

"It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that we share the passing of our brother, husband, father, and grandfather who died peacefully in Nashville surrounded by his family," the statement read.

"Our nation has lost a servant, Tennessee has lost a son, and our family has lost its rock."
Thompson, a Republican, won a special election in 1994 to fill Al Gore's vacate U.S. Senate seat. He was re-elected for a full term two years later and announced in 2002 that he would not run again.

He campaigned briefly for president in the 2008 election.

Condolences poured in Sunday from friends and colleagues, including Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee.

"Fred was a sweet, funny and fiercely intelligent guy with a gentle heart. A bear of a man who was warm and considerate towards all those around him," said Renny Harlin, who directed "Die Hard 2."

As an actor, Thompson appeared in the films "Die Hard 2," "The Hunt for Red October," and "In the Line of Fire," among others. He performed on the small screen as the gruff district attorney Arthur Branch on NBC's "Law & Order."

"Fred stood on principle and common sense, and had a deep love for and connection with the people across Tennessee whom he had the privilege to serve in the United States Senate. He enjoyed a hearty laugh, a strong handshake, a good cigar, and a healthy dose of humility," his family said.

"Fred was the same man on the floor of the Senate, the movie studio, or the town square of Lawrenceburg, his home."