Law and Order, Law and Order: SVU (NBC), 2002 - 2007
In his most recent and best-known role, Thompson proved he was gruff on crime. His Arthur Branch combined the poise of Boss Hogg with the gruffness of trench-coated crime dog McGruff, resulting in the kind of fictional character Americans love to vote for. Plus, when reporters ask Thompson "How are you on law and order?" he can always answer, "I'm amazing."