Emmy Award-winning actor Sam Waterston has been recognized by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with the prestigious Goodermote Humanitarian Award. This accolade celebrates Waterston’s longstanding dedication to supporting refugees globally. The award ceremony took place on May 9th at the Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dean Michael J. Klag of the Bloomberg School of Public Health, lauded Waterston’s commitment, stating, “Mr. Waterston’s acting accomplishments are well known, but his work as an advocate for the displaced victims of war is far less celebrated. We admire Mr. Waterston’s support of this important cause and commend his commitment.” This highlights the actor’s significant, yet often understated, contributions to humanitarian causes alongside his acclaimed acting career.
Sam Waterston is widely recognized for his iconic role as District Attorney Jack McCoy in the popular television series Law & Order. His portrayal earned him multiple Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He also won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 1999 and secured Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. Beyond television, Waterston’s cinematic achievements include an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in The Killing Fields, a powerful film depicting the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.
Waterston’s commitment to humanitarian work is exemplified by his over 25 years of service on the board of Refugees International. His dedication extends to environmental conservation as a board member of Oceana, and to the arts and mental health through his roles on the boards of Austen Riggs and the Public Theater in New York City.
His acting accolades further include three Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe Award for I’ll Fly Away. He also received Golden Globe nominations for his roles in The Great Gatsby and I’ll Fly Away. Waterston’s versatility as an actor is evident in his diverse roles, including hosting the NBC informational series Lost Civilizations, which earned him an Emmy Award. He has also received BAFTA nominations in England, showcasing his international recognition as a talented actor.
Waterston’s filmography includes collaborations with acclaimed directors like Woody Allen in films such as Interiors, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Crimes and Misdemeanors, and John Waters in Serial Mom. His range extends from dramas like Heaven’s Gate to adaptations of literary classics like Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.
On stage, Waterston’s talent has been recognized with a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Lincoln in Abe Lincoln in Illinois, and Obie and Drama Desk Awards for his performance in Much Ado About Nothing. His enduring presence in theater is highlighted by his participation in every production of Hamlet in the Park for the past four decades.
A Yale University graduate, Waterston resides in Connecticut with his wife, Lynn. They have a large family with four children and three grandchildren.
The Goodermote Humanitarian Award, established in 2008 by Dean Goodermote and the Goodermote family, underscores the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s commitment to global public health. It honors individuals dedicated to advancing public health and supports the school’s educational mission. Dean Goodermote himself chairs the advisory committee for the Bloomberg School’s Center for Refugee and Disaster Response.
This award stands as the Bloomberg School’s most prestigious humanitarian honor. Past recipients of the Goodermote Award include notable figures such as CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien and NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, placing Sam Waterston among distinguished company.
The Goodermote family’s commitment extends beyond the award, having also established a scholarship. This scholarship supports international health students at Johns Hopkins who are dedicated to serving displaced populations and furthering the goals of the Center for Refugee and Disaster Response, ensuring future generations continue this vital work.
